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
13
Walking in the footsteps of Jane Austen: Bath, 7 or 11 miles, moderate
Bath Spa Railway Station, Dorchester Street, Bath BA1 1SU, GB“Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath?" - Northanger Abbey, chapter 10
2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, one of the world’s most beloved authors. To celebrate, the Berkshire Walkers will be having a series of walks across the year visiting sites connected with Austen.
This walk was originally due to take place on Saturday 13th September, but had to be postponed due to walk leader sickness.
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: 387m.
This walk will be led by Tom H..
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
In 1801, when Jane Austen moved here with her family from Hampshire, Bath was one of the largest cities in Britain; a popular centre of society and fashion where the upper and middle classes flocked to “take the waters”. Much of the architecture the city is famous for today dates from this time.
Despite Bath's close association with Austen, and the enthusiasm for it expressed by Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey (quoted above), it is clear that the author was not happy during her time in the city. She wrote little until the family returned to Hampshire in 1806.
We start by walking up the Bath lock flight on the Kennet and Avon Canal. The eastern end of the K&A features regularly on our walks and this is a good chance to see a different bit of it! We’ll walk past Bath Deep Lock, the second deepest lock on the UK canal network. After leaving the canal, it’s a steep climb up through Bath streets with the view behind us of the city centre opening out. After passing the Sham Castle folly, we’ll follow the National Trust’s Bath Skyline route along the edge of Bathampton and Claverton Downs.
The Skyline route offers fine views across Bath. We’ll pass through the picturesque Smallcombe Valley before returning to the city centre along one of Bath’s most famous and attractive streets, Great Pulteney Street. At this point - around 7 miles into the walk - it is possible to drop out. However, the walk will continue by exploring Bath city centre, passing all the main sites. We’ll turn around again at the Royal Crescent and return to the station via the River Avon.
Travel details
By public transport
Please travel on the 09.25 departure from Reading if travelling by train. The walk leader intends to travel on this train, if it is delayed the start of the walk may be as well.
To reduce the costs, it is recommended that train tickets are bought ahead of the day of the walk, with a split at Didcot Parkway. This also allows those of us with Network Railcards only to use them on the Reading-Didcot ticket. The walk leader is prepared to answer any questions about ticket-splitting.
If you do not have a railcard, you may be able to travel with others in the same position using the GroupSave discount (valid for groups between 3 and 9). It is suggested that you post in the Berkshire Walkers Facebook group or the event page on Meetup to find others.
By car
Please use any car park in central Bath within walking distance of the station if travelling by car. The closest are at the SouthGate shopping centre and Manvers Street. Please also consider using the Park and Ride buses: https://travelwest.info/park-ride
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 of water.
- It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
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.
4 attendees
The Newbury Racecourse Fireworks Spectacular
NEWBURY RACECOURSE, (enter via Stroud Green Gateway), The Racecourse is sign posted follow the brown signs, Newbury,Berks, RG14 7NZ, GBThe Newbury Racecourse Fireworks Spectacular returns in 2025 for their annual bonfire and firework display from the grounds of Newbury Racecourse. The main display will include state-of-the-art pyrotechnics and special effects that are choreographed to music as well as having large fireballs will be part of the display. On top of this, a choreographed light show will complement the fireworks alongside various food and drink stalls being available. More information about the display can be found here.
If you’re interested in attending, please show your interest via here on Meetup as well as buying a ticket via the link above at a cost of £15 per person. Please note, that as tickets will be very limited, it’s strongly recommended that you buy your tickets online rather than on the door.
N.B.: Only signing up via Meetup doesn’t guarantee you entry to the Racecourse or this social. You’ll need to buy a ticket in order to enter the Racecourse.
If you plan to get the train for when the doors open, the recommended train to get from Reading is the 16:12 GWR service that arrives at Newbury Racecourse at 16:36. If you want to come later, then this service runs on an hourly basis departing from Reading at roughly 10 minutes past the hour. For those who want to drive, Newbury Racecourse has a large car park with free parking and access via Hambridge Lane. To get there, the fastest way from Reading is along the A4, of which you follow the post code RG14 7PN.
11 attendees
Ridgeway Ramble, 5 miles, leisurely
Bury Down, West Ilsley, Oxfordshire, GBA gentle 5 mile circular walk along the ancient Ridgeway, with sweeping countryside views, a loop through Chilton, and a return past Harwell Campus.
This walk will be led by Alexandra H..
Please see our website for more information about the group.
We set out from Bury Down car park on the Ridgeway, where sweeping views open out across the rolling countryside. Following the ancient trail eastwards, we enjoy the wide skies and sense of history beneath our feet before turning north towards the village of Chilton. From there, the route curves back alongside the impressive Harwell Campus, before we re-join the Ridgeway for a final, gentle stretch that carries us back to our starting point with the landscape unfolding around us.
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.
24 attendees
Alice Returns To The New Forest, 5 or 10 miles, leisurely
Brockenhurst station, car park, SO42 7TW, Brockenhurst, GBThis 10-mile circuit from Brockenhurst will take in the New Forest in autumn colours!
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: 107m.
This walk will be led by Tom H..
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
The first stage of the walk takes us through Brockenhurst village centre and across Black Knowl, where we can expect to see some of the famous New Forest ponies, before entering the Forest proper at Bolderford Bridge.
From there, we continue heading north until reaching the “capital” of the New Forest, Lyndhurst. The church of St Michael and All Angels in Lyndhurst is famous for being the burial place of Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Alice in “Alice in Wonderland” (although her gravestone bears her married name, Mrs Reginald Hargreaves). Depending on time, numbers and preferences we can stop in Lyndhurst at either a cafe or pub. It is also possible at this point (approximately 5 miles into the walk) to drop out and return to Brockenhurst by bus.
The walk then continues by returning to Brockenhurst through a different part of the Forest. Heading through Park Ground Inclosure, Parkhill Inclosure, and Ramnor Inclosure, the final stretch of the walk leads across Balmer Lawn. If there is a long wait for the train from Brockenhurst to Reading, we can wait at the Foresters’ Arms pub, very close to the station.
Travel details
By public transport
Please catch the 09.52 train from Reading if coming by train. The walk leader intends to travel on this train - if it is delayed the start of the walk may be as well.
By car
Parking with charges is available at the station, or nearby in Brockenhurst at Brookley Road - or park considerately in the surrounding streets.
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 of water.
- It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
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.
8 attendees
Past events
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