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/
Have you ever thought you could be a Berkshire Walkers walk leader, but not known where to start? To encourage new walk leaders, we are organising a day of hands-on training!
We’ll meet at the tea rooms at Aldermaston for a brief introduction, before splitting into three groups. The three groups, overseen by one of the experienced walk leaders from the committee who have kindly volunteered to act as trainers, will then plan their own route, starting from Aldermaston, to recce. Finally, the groups will recce their route, with each attendee getting the chance to lead their group for a section. The length of the walk will depend on you and the rest of your group, but we recommend between 5 and 8 miles.
Please travel on the 09.05 departure if travelling by train from Reading, or the 09.12 departure if travelling by train from Newbury. The Tea Rooms are approximately eight minutes’ walk from Aldermaston station.
Parking is available at either the tea rooms or the station - charges apply in each case.
Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Please bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.
If you have one, please bring a charged smartphone with OS Maps or another route planning app installed. If not, we will ensure everyone has access to the necessary technology to participate in the day.
Advanced booking is required for this event, which is limited to ten attendees (plus three trainers). Please register before 5pm on Thursday 9th October.
Attendance on Meetup does not guarantee a place for the event. Please fill in the sign up form.
Should the training be oversubscribed places will be allocated according to the following order of preference:
- Berkshire Walkers members who have never led a walk
- Berkshire Walkers members who have led their first walk within the last year
- Any other Berkshire Walkers member
- Members of any other Ramblers’ group
If it is oversubscribed we may run another event in 2026.
As only Ramblers’ members are permitted to lead walks, this event is not open to non-members. If you are not a member and are interested in this event, please join the Ramblers: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/membership
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- A TV Farm Trek: Charlbury to Diddly Squat, 11.6 miles, moderateCharlbury Station, Oxfordshire
Today in Charlbury…
- We visit a farm.
- We walk through The Cotswolds.
- And we have a taste of Hawkstone Lager.
If you’re a Top Gear/Grand Tour fan, you may know that today’s circular walk will take us from Charlbury to Diddly Squat Farm of ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ fame. Starting at Charlbury station, we’ll head the River Evenlode and towards the Oxfordshire Way before heading the Wychward Way. From here, we’ll then head into East End before walking along a footpath that takes us parallel to the fields owned by Diddly Squat Farm. At the end of this footpath, we’ll turn left onto Old London Road to take us towards Diddly Squat Farm Shop, where we’ll be stopping for lunch.
After lunch, we’ll partially go back the way we came from before we walk past Diddly Squat Farm before walking into Millend to pass Chadlington Park before turning right onto the footpath towards Brookend. Here, turn right onto the road before turning left onto the footpath on your left to take us back to the Oxfordshire Way back towards our finishing point at Charlbury station. For those who want a pint at the end of the walk, we’ll be stopping off at The Bull, which is roughly a 5/10-minute walk from Charlbury station.
Ascent: 168m.
This walk will be led by Michael v..
Please see our website for more information about the group.
TRAINS:
The recommended train to get from Reading is the 09:16 GWR service that arrives in Charlbury at 10:04.
DRIVING:
Charlbury has a good sized car park, where parking fees apply.
DOGS:
Dog are welcome on this walk as long as they're well behaved.
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.
- Culham Circular: Thames Walk via Clifton Hampden & Abingdon, 9 miles, leisurelyCulham Lock Car Park, Culham
A 9 mile circular walk from Culham Lock along the Thames Path via Clifton Hampden and Abingdon
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.
This walk will be led by Alex and Caroline.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
We begin our 9 mile circular walk at Culham Lock, following the Thames Path eastwards to the picturesque village of Clifton Hampden with its iconic bridge and church. Leaving the river briefly, we skirt around the Culham Science Centre before rejoining the Thames Path and continuing towards the historic market town of Abingdon. From here, we follow the river back to Culham Lock, completing a varied and scenic circuit along one of the loveliest stretches of the Thames.
Travel details
By public transport
Unfortunately there is no public transport available to this walk. Feel free to use either our Facebook group (members only) or the comments section on the Meetup event page to arrange lifts – there are often members who are happy to help!
By car
Free parking at Culham lock: OX14 4NE
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.
- Cholsey Circular, 5.5 miles, leisurelyCholsey Train Station, OX10 9QD
A circular leisurely afternoon walk starting from Cholsey Station.
Pace: gentle. Ascent: 52m.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
We start from Cholsey station and head across country to St Mary's Church. We then walk over a bridge across the rail tracks across fields to just south of the village of Aston Upthorpe. We then proceed to climb Lollingdon Hill. We then head back to the station crossing a tunnel under the rail tracks again.
Travel details
By public transport
Take the 12:25 train from Reading arriving at Cholsey at 12:41.
By car
There is parking in the station car park. Parking fees 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 snack and some 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.
