A Summer Stroll Up Winter Hill: A Cookham Circular, 9.5 miles, moderate

A 9.5-mile circular walk from Cookham, taking in the River Thames, ancient woodland, village commons, and the scenic Winter Hill.

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: 173m.

Please see our website for more information about the group.

Walk details

We begin at Cookham Station, heading out through open farmland and skirting Strand Water, where we pass a bear eating an ice cream. From here we join a flat and picturesque stretch of the River Thames, following it for a while before reaching the base of Winter Hill, where we’ll stop for lunch.

After lunch, we make a gentle climb up Winter Hill, rewarded with expansive views across the Thames Valley. From the top, we descend into Bisham Woods, a richly biodiverse ancient woodland believed to have inspired the “Wild Wood” in The Wind in the Willows (1908) by Kenneth Grahame. With its rustling canopy, varied tree species, and occasional glimpses of wildlife, it’s not hard to imagine Mole and Badger nearby.

Exiting the woods, we cross Cookham Dean Common and, if space and weather permits, pause for a drink at the Jolly Farmer pub (as it is a Sunday, the pub may be busy with lunch).

From here, it is just over a mile back to Cookham Station, where trains run hourly. A Costa Coffee at the station offers a convenient spot to wait depending on timings.

Travel details

By public transport

The train from Reading (via Maidenhead) arrives at 11:10

By car

Parking is available at the station (£1.80) or at the Cookham Moor National Trust car park (£2) which is a 10 minute walk away

Dogs

Dogs allowed provided they are kept on a lead at all times.

Please see our dogs policy on our group website for more details.

Notes

• Please bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.

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.