What we’re about
The Berkshire Walkers are a walking and social group aimed at people in their 20s and 30s and is part of The Ramblers.
We are based in Berkshire, mainly around Reading, Newbury and Slough, and provide walks at a variety of lengths on weekends and summer evenings. We also have regular socials such as pub meets, meals out, ten-pin bowling and trips to museums and places of interest. All are welcome to join the Berkshire Walkers for a walk, whether you are already a keen walker, or just starting down the path.
Your first three walks are FREE for new members. We are part of the Ramblers and we are always keen to meet new members. You can join here.
Annual membership is exceptionally reasonable (just over £3pm on Direct Debit). Membership also gives you access to our social events that aren't advertised on Meetup and socials happen at least two-three times a month. With membership, you can also join any of the other 500 Ramblers groups, including other Berkshire groups and those nearby in Surrey, Sussex, Oxfordshire, and Hampshire.
Joining The Ramblers in general brings all the benefits of being part of the UK's largest walking organisation, with discounts available in many walking shops (e.g. 15% at Cotswold Outdoor). You will also receive a magazine 4 times a year, about walking in the UK and things that affect your rights to walk through our amazing and varied countryside. Your membership fees also contribute to The Ramblers' efforts to promote walking as a healthy pastime, to campaign for access and to fight for maintained access to our rights of way. What's not to like?
Not all our members are on Meetup, so there will be more people on walks than are shown on Meetup. For a general idea, we typically get 10–20 people on our walks. Please note that our social events are not usually listed on Meetup: our socials are for our walkers only (including those new to the group with an interest in joining), and can be found on our website.
PLEASE NOTE: This event costs £15 per person. To purchase your ticket, you must complete the Google Form and transfer £15 per ticket to the BW bank account.
We hope you’ll join the Berkshire Walkers for our grand SUMMER SPECTACULAR Ceilidh on Saturday 2nd August. It will be an evening of ceilidh dancing, with Scottish Country Dance Band Strathallan providing the live music.
We hope to see as many past and present BW members as possible, as well as friends and family, and ramblers from our neighbouring groups. Please note, there's only 60 tickets on sale, so if you're interested in attending, please show your interest as soon as possible as well as buying a ticket.
Doors will open at 18:30 for a 19:00 start.
If you're planning on driving, there's a car park with limited spaces for those using the village hall on hire. Alternatively, there's a larger public car park opposite the village hall, where a parking fee of £1 applies. There are also regular train services from Reading and Didcot, with the station being roughly a 5-minute walk from the station.
For those of you new to ceilidh dancing – don’t fear! We’ll have a ‘caller’ – a person who will teach us the dance moves and shout out the moves we need to do next, making it easy for anyone to join in, no matter how much ceilidh dancing experience you have. We’ll have two sets of dancing from approximately 19:00 to 20:15, and 20:45 to 22:00.
To keep costs down, we won’t be providing food and drink, but you are encouraged to bring your own on the night. There’s also a Co-op down the road.
This event is being organised by the Berkshire Walkers 25th anniversary subcommittee team: Andrew, Ed, Georgia, Michael, Paul, and Shannon.
Terms & conditions. The Berkshire Walkers account is used only to streamline payments to suppliers. In the event of a supplier failure, Ramblers and Berkshire Walkers are not liable for reimbursement. We are not able to offer refunds for this event. By signing up for this event, you are accepting these T&Cs.
As far as we are aware, the BWs first hosted a ceilidh to celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary. This proved popular, so the group has held several ceilidhs since. We also held a ceilidh for the National Young Ramblers (NYR) weekend when we hosted it in Berkshire, which, in part, led to a ceilidh being a regular feature on NYR weekends. We therefore thought a ceilidh was the ideal way to celebrate the group’s successful 25 years!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Bowl like a film star: Bowling at the Hollywood BowlThe Oracle, Reading
Join the Social Secretary for a few rounds of bowling at Reading’s newest bowling alley, the Hollywood Bowl. This’ll also be a great opportunity for walkers, whether they’re experienced or new, to share any ideas for walks and socials in the next few months. The organiser plans to book the 2 games and 1 drink 'Pins and a Pint' deal, so feel free to join from 19:00 onwards for bowling, drinks and/or food. Also show your interest via Meetup as well as messaging the organiser.
N.B.: As the venue opens on 5th July, there's a good chance that it'll be busy on the night of the social. If needed, the organiser may need to reschedule this event accordingly.
Please note, that due to the nature of Hollywood Bowl, the organiser will be booking a couple of lanes under the “2 games 1 drink” deal, which costs £13.50. As this payment will be paid to the https://www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk/payments-to-the-berkshire-walkers/Berkshire Walkers bank account, please pay for your ticket by Thursday 12:00 at the latest to secure your place at the social.
T&Cs: The Berkshire Walkers account is used only to streamline payments to suppliers. In the event of a supplier failure Ramblers and Berkshire Walkers are not liable for reimbursement. Once you have paid, and the organiser has booked your ticket, if you then decide to cancel, you will only be eligible to receive a refund if we receive payment from someone else to take your place. By signing up for this event, you are accepting these T&Cs.
- Pace Practice - Reading Circular, 15 miles, strenuousReading Railway Station, Reading
Join Georgia and Will for a 15 mile pace practice walk around Reading. Starting at Reading Station, we will take in the scenic views of the Thames Path to Shiplake, where we will divert off the Thames Path, through some woodlands North of Reading and then circling back through Caversham.
This walk is a good opportunity to try out the walking pace required to complete the 25 mile August challenge linked here: https://www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk/event/25-miles-for-25-years-25-miles-strenuous/?instance_id=4543
For this walk we may vary the pace depending on group size and ability.
Start time: 10am at Reading Station North Side (Caversham side).
Estimated End Time: 4pm (dependent on pace) at Reading Station.
Transport
If you plan to drive, the recommended place to park is the car park on the north side of Reading station, where parking fees apply. As this is a circular walk, we will return to Reading Station at the end of the walk.
Additional info
Please note: As this is a pace practice walk, we will aim to be walking at a pace of around 3mph. Please bring a packed lunch and water, as this walk will have a short lunch stop included.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
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.
- Twyford Meadows & Woodlands, 7.5 miles, leisurelyTwyford Station, Twyford
Join me for a scenic 7.5-mile circular walk through the beautiful Berkshire countryside on this flat and easy-going route - perfect for a relaxed summer Saturday. This is a brand new walk for me - this will be the first time I will have led this walk.
We’ll be meeting at 10:15am on the Twyford town side of Twyford Station (parking is available but chargeable).
From there, we’ll head out through the quiet village of Ruscombe, pass along the peaceful lanes of Hare Hatch, and skirt the edge of Waltham St Lawrence. The route offers a lovely mix of open farmland, meadows bursting with wildflowers, and stretches of ancient woodland.
Please bring along a packed lunch for a stop in the woods, where we can enjoy a peaceful break under the trees.
While the walk is mostly flat and at a gentle pace, some paths may be uneven or muddy in places, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
A great way to stretch your legs, take in the countryside, and enjoy a laid-back day outdoors in good company.
Travel:
If you are coming from Reading please catch the 9.59am which arrives in Twyford for 10.04am. If you are coming from Maidenhead please catch the 10.02am which arrives in Twyford for 10.09am. If you are coming from Henley-On-Thames please catch the 10.00am which arrives in Twyford for 10.12am.
This walk will be led by Jason O.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
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.
- Theale to Sulham Woods Circular Walk – A Summer Sunday Escape, 6 miles, easyTheale Station, Theale
Join me for a scenic and enjoyable 6-mile countryside walk starting from Theale Station. This is a new walk joining up various paths for walks I have led over the years with a combination of new paths I've never led walks down before!
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.
This walk will be led by Jason O..
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
We’ll meet at 11:15am outside the station entrance and begin our journey along the peaceful Kennet and Avon Canal towpath. This tranquil stretch takes us past the picturesque Garston Lock, under the M4, and into a more rural setting.
We’ll pause here for a break and enjoy our packed lunch in the woods, so do remember to bring something to eat and drink.
Our route then winds through the green expanse of Linear Park, before crossing the A4 Bath Road and continuing across Calcot Recreation Ground. From there, we skirt the back of Tilehurst and enter the shady and atmospheric Sulham Woods, a beautiful stretch of woodland perfect for walking on a summer’s day.
A highlight of the walk will be a visit to the striking Wilder’s Folly, a historic and romantic 18th-century tower offering lovely views of the surrounding countryside.
The final stretch takes us past IKEA, back over the M4, and returns us to Theale Station, completing a gentle circular route.
The walk is mostly flat with some uneven terrain, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Optional pub stop in Theale on the way back will be available for those who fancy a well earned drink!
Travel details
Parking is available at Theale Station, but is chargeable. The station is also well served by public transport for those arriving by train or bus. If you are coming from Reading, catch the 10.43am train which arrives in Theale at 10.50am. If you are coming from Newbury, catch the 10.57am train which arrives in Theale at 11.10am
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.
