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- 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.
- Walking in the footsteps of Jane Austen: Bath, 7 or 11 miles, moderateBath Spa Railway Station, Bath BA1 1SU
“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.
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.
- BOOKING REQUIRED: Sandhurst, 4 miles, leisurelySandhurst station, Sandhurst
A walk from Sandhurst station via Wildmoor Heath to Edgbarrow Woods and back.
This walk requires advance booking via Meetup and is limited to 8 walkers. Please do not turn up without booking, only sign up if you intend to come, and cancel in good time if you can no longer attend so that someone else can take your place.
Pace: gentle.
This walk will be led by Pip and Dave.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
Starting at Sandhurst station we will follow the route through the heathland, incorporating parts of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust's Wildmoor Heath and the surrounding Edgbarrow Woods. This circular walk offers a mix of heath and woodland, with possible boggy areas so walking boots are recommended.
No lunchstop. Please bring a drink and snack.
Travel details
By public transport
Please travel on the 10.48 departure from Reading if travelling by train.
By car
Free parking is available at Sandhurst Library (GU47 9BL) which is 5 mins from the walk start.
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.
- ELIZABETH LINE WALK SERIES: Romford to Harold Wood, 10.6 miles, leisurelyRomford, Greater London
Today’s walk will take us to the Greater London/Essex boundary via Havering-atte-Bower church. Starting at Romford station, we’ll head along a couple of main roads via some back roads towards King George's Playing Fields, which we turn right towards. We then walk past the Catholic Church of Corpus Christi and The Ascension, Collier Row. the latter of these churches we walk around towards a park that we’ll walk through towards the River Rom and the London Loop footpath. Once at the London Loop, we’ll then head through Havering Country Park and Havering-atte-Bower, of which we’ll be having lunch at around this point.
After our lunch stop, we’ll keep following this same footpath to head towards the Tench Pond Plantation. After passing the car park attached to it, we’ll then head towards Little Hatter's Wood and Central Park to head towards Harold Wood. At the Colchester Road, we’ll cross over before heading towards our finishing point at Harold Wood station. For those who want a pint at the end of the walk, we’ll be stopping off at The Harold, which is located directly opposite the station.
Ascent: 99m.
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 09:35 GWR service that arrives at Paddington at 09:58. This give enough time to get the 10:15 Elizabeth line service that arrives in Romford at 10:54.
DRIVING:
Due to the cost of parking in London and ULEZ, it’s recommended that you don’t drive to Romford. Alternatively, you can park at Reading station and take the train from there, where parking fees apply.
DOGS:
Dogs 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.
