What we’re about
Welcome to the Berkshire Walkers (BWs). The BW group is a part of the Ramblers, a national charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces, and to improving Britain’s most popular and least-known walking places. The Ramblers are committed to campaigning to keep our countryside open to all and to fighting for the things that matter most to walkers. The Ramblers lead the way, and the walks, for a vibrant community united by the joys of walking, helping everyone get more out of their walks.
All participants of all group events are required to adhere to our Group Charter and Ramblers Values - https://www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk/conduct-and-safeguarding/
You can enjoy 3 taster walks with the Berkshire Walkers for FREE, after which you are required to become a member. Annual membership is exceptionally reasonable (just over £3.50pm on Direct Debit).
With membership, you can also join any of the other 500 Rambler groups, including other Berkshire groups and those nearby in Surrey, Sussex, Oxford, and Hampshire. What's not to like! Find out how to join here: https://www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk/join-group/
Groups are run entirely by local volunteers. Local group activities can include inspecting and maintaining paths, organising group walks or running local campaigns. Each group is run by an elected committee giving members ownership of what we do locally. We have over 100,000 members.
Please note: we list a full event programme on our website of walks, socials and trips: https://www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk/
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Show Me The Way To Bunkfest, 8 miles, leisurelyDidcot Parkway Station, Didcot
This 8 mile linear walk from Didcot to Wallingford includes fine views and finishes at a festival!
Advance booking is not required, but if you plan on attending this walk, please indicate this on Meetup if you can, so others can see that there will be plenty of people going.
Pace: medium. Ascent: 115m.
This walk will be led by Tom H..
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
We’ll head northeast out of Didcot across the fields. We’ll stop for lunch at the top of Wittenham Clumps, where we can enjoy the view down to the River Thames and across Dorchester, including the Abbey. After lunch, we’ll head on through Little Wittenham Wood before heading through the village of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell and into Wallingford from the west.
Bunkfest is a free community music, dance and beer festival held throughout Wallingford. The main stage at the Kinecroft hosts folk, folk-rock and world music acts, with a beer tent. There are many other venues throughout the town - for more information see the Bunkfest website: https://bunkfest.co.uk/
Travel details
By public transport
Please travel on the 10.40 departure if travelling by train from Reading. The walk leader intends to travel on this train; if it is delayed the start of the walk may be as well.
When you are ready to leave the festival, there are several options for travel out of Wallingford:
If travelling to Reading, please use the X40 bus. These leave approximately every half hour until 10pm, and then hourly with the last being at 02.10 on Sunday morning (journey time to central Reading: around 45 minutes)
If travelling back to Didcot (for example, if you have parked there) please use the 33/33A bus, which leave every half hour until around 8pm and then hourly with the last being at 22.45 (journey time to Didcot Parkway: around 25 minutes)
You could also travel on the Cholsey and Wallingford Heritage Railway, which will be running “singing trains” as part of Bunkfest, before changing to a main line GWR train to Didcot or Reading at Cholsey. Trains run from Wallingford to Cholsey approximately hourly, with the last being at 22.55. This option is likely to be considerably more expensive than the bus, however!
By car
Parking is available at Didcot Parkway and at other locations in Didcot - charges apply.
Dogs
Dogs welcome on this walk, provided they are kept under control at all times and placed on a lead when requested by the walk leader.
Please see our dogs policy on our group website for more details.
Notes
Please bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.
Please see our group website for more information: https://www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk/
Please contact the leader directly if you are delayed on the day or can't find the group (find contact details on our website). We are unlikely to respond to Meetup comments or messages sent on the day in enough time to be helpful.
- Sandhurst, 8 miles, moderateSandhurst station, Sandhurst
This varied circular walk begins from Sandhurst Station, heading east along Swan Lane before joining green corridors that lead into Yateley Common. The common offers wide sandy paths through open heath and pine woodland.
We’ll continue west to Wyndham Ponds, a peaceful cluster of reed-fringed pools ideal for a short pause. From there, we cross to the old runways of Blackbushe Airfield—broad tarmac strips steeped in wartime history, now reclaimed by nature.
The route then descends gently toward the River Blackwater, with lovely views across the valley’s meadows and woodland. We follow the riverside path south, passing beside many ex gravel pits now turned into nature reserves, before reaching the scenic Horseshoe Lake—a popular spot for watersports and wildlife. We'll then head back into Sandhurst.
Please travel on the 10.48 departure from Reading if travelling by train.
Free parking is available at Sandhurst Library (GU47 9BL) which is 5 mins from the walk start.
Ascent: 75m.
This walk will be led by David A.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Please bring a packed lunch.
Please contact the leader directly if you are delayed on the day or can't find the group (find contact details on our website). We are unlikely to respond to Meetup comments or messages sent on the day in enough time to be helpful.
- Wine Not? A Denbies EscapeDenbie's Wine Estate, Denbie's Wine Estate
Today’s BW social follows on from Shannon and Michael's Box Hill walk and takes us to Denbies Wine estate in Dorking, where we’ll have a 50-minute tour of their vineyard. This’ll be done at a leisurely pace as well as offering some of the most beautiful viewing points in the vineyard. A recorded commentary will play throughout the trip for an informative and comfortable way to experience the magnificent panoramic views of the Denbies Estate and the North Downs. Tickets for this tour costs £11.50 per person, with the option to upgrade with a glass of a specially selected Denbies Award winning Sparkling Cuvee for £16.50 per person. After the tour, we’ll also have the opportunity to look around the shop and possibly try some of the wines there.
The organiser plans to book onto the 13:00 ‘Outdoor Vineyard Train Tour’, so the recommended train to get is the 11:24 GWR service that arrives at Dorking Deepdene at 12:25. It then takes around 15 minutes to walk the vineyard, which should allow for enough time to board the Land Rover hauled tour vehicle. If you’re interested in attending, feel free to buy a ticket via this link as well as showing your interest via here on Meetup.
N.B.: Only signing up via Meetup doesn’t guarantee you entry to the Vineyard or this social. You’ll need to buy a ticket in order to join the vineyard tour.
- Poldark and Pasties (Penzance trip)Penzance, Cornwall
PLEASE NOTE: SIGNING UP ON MEETUP DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU A PLACE - YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FORM, AND WAIT FOR THE TRIP ORGANISER TO CONFIRM.
Join us for a weekend of walking and pasties in West Cornwall. Using Penzance as a base we will have three (maybe four) walks over a long weekend. This will be a relaxed trip. Members are welcome to pick and choose which walks they attend. You must be a member of the Ramblers to join us on this trip.
All walks are accessible by public transport. In the unlikely event we are let down at the end of a walk, we may need to phone a friend or share taxies back.
Places will initially be limited to 16, to secure your place please complete this form.
For more information, please visit our website.
Itinerary
Thursday 11th: Travel day. If people travel early and would like an afternoon walk this can be arranged.
Friday 12th: St Michael's Way, 12.5 miles. A coast to coast walk following in the footsteps of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. Starting in Lelant we will follow the coast line of St Ives Bay before heading inland to Penzance. From Penzance we will follow the south coast to Marazion finishing near the causeway at St Michael’s Mount. Getting to the start: train (or bus) to Lelant. Getting back: walk (or short bus ride) to Penzance. 1330ft ascent, 1393ft descent.
Friday Evening: Potential for evening meal tbc.
Saturday 13th: Botallack to Porthcurno, 14 miles (with 8 mile drop out option). Taking a bus from Penzance to Botallack we will walk 14 miles of the south west coast path. Starting on the Tin Coast in the north we will pass through Poldark country on our way to the most westerly point in mainland England (Lands End). At this point there will be an opportunity to drop out and head back to Penzance via bus. From Lands End we will continue along the SW coast path to Porthcurno. Getting to the start: bus to Botallack. Getting back: bus to Penzance. 2910ft ascent, 2976ft descent.
Sunday 14th: Penzance to Mousehole Circular, 7 miles. A short, relatively flat walk to finish the weekend heading out of Penzance to the scenic village of Mousehole and back. Back at Penzance station by 2:30pm to allow time for traveling home. If anyone needs to get back quicker there is a bus from Mousehole to Penzance. 689ft ascent, 655ft descent.
Accommodation
This is a book your own accommodation trip. Please book early to avoid disappointment as places go fast.
There are many places that offer accommodation depending on length of stay and budget. A couple to look at:
- The Fountain Tavern
- Chiverton Guest house
- Rosalie House
Alternatively
- Booking.com
- Airbnb
- Campsites - suitable for people happy to drive
- Hayle - Premier Inn or Travelodge (Hayle is 7 miles out from Penzance meaning you can get good deals on twin rooms. There are buses and trains from Hayle to Penzance. A direct bus may be available to Lelant for the day one walk.)
YHA Penzance only have availability Friday and Saturday nights (may be suitable for people considering the night train see note below)
Travel
Direct trains from Reading to Penzance. Approximately £120 return, though cheaper tickets may be available with railcards and ticket splitting via other stations.
Alternatively it’s a 4.5 hour drive from Reading.
For the adventurous and those who don’t want to book Thursday off work there is the Night Riviera Sleeper service that departs Reading Station at 0:40am Friday and arrives in Penzance 7am (ish) this will also save a nights accommodation. This train must be booked early as it fills up fast.
Other activities
If you don’t fancy walking every day or wish to extend your stay there are many activities to do in Cornwall: surfing, kayaking, standup paddle boarding, mines, cafés, art galleries, boat trips, etc.
