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/
Featured event
BW Christmas Dinner and awards 2025
The Berkshire Walkers Christmas Dinner and Walking Awards (the Walkies!) return for 2025, where we’ll be dining at The Newbury (Located in Newbury). 2 courses will cost £39.15 and 3 courses £45.75, including the service charge. See the menu below.
Please note, that the venue is slightly smaller than in previous years, so we are limited to 25 places. Sign up will be on a first-come first-served basis. If you’d like to attend, please complete the sign-up form and pay by the end of Sunday 30th November. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll need to make payment into the BW bank account to confirm your place.
The Walkies celebrate the walking, trip and social highlights of the year, and we give prizes to the winning members and volunteers, as chosen by you. Look out for the voting form we’ll be sharing very soon! Prizes for the awards are funded by donations, so we'd be very grateful to anyone wishing to help out and donate. For guidance, last year donations were between £3 and £5.
Also is tradition, we’ll be doing our Secret Santa during the meal. Please indicate in the sign-up form if you’d like to participate. Those who want to take part will be contacted via email with the person they’ll need to buy a gift for after sign up has been closed. The recommended amount to spend for this is £5.
Finally, Christmas jumpers are optional, but is encouraged!
⭐ Festive Fayre Menu ⭐
Starters:
· Chilli Garlic Prawns.
o Served with sourdough.
· Beetroot & Goat’s Cheese Terrine (v, gf).
o Served on a bed of rocket.
· French Onion Soup (v).
o With a Gruyère crouton.
· Baked Camembert (v).
o With honey and walnuts.
Mains:
· Sensational Christmas Turkey (gf).
o With all the trimmings.
· Portobello Mushrooms (ve).
o Stuffed with spinach and topped with vegan feta crumb, served on a bed of peppery rocket.
· Pork Belly Rolls with Maple Glaze.
o Served with creamy mash potatoes, sautéed winter greens, and a balsamic jus.
· Salmon en Croute.
o Served with a fresh Hollandaise sauce and sautéed winter greens.
Desserts:
· Traditional Boozy Christmas Pudding (v).
o Served with a brandy sauce or cream.
· Pistachio Baklava Cheese Cake (v).
· Bailey’s Crème Brûlée (v).
o Served with a shortbread biscuit.
· Chocolate and Orange Mousse (v).
o Served with a chocolate treat.
· Eton Christmas Mess (v).
o With berries and cream.
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. By signing up for this event, you are accepting these Terms and Conditions.
Upcoming events
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The Colours of Autumn in Burnham Beeches, 8 miles, leisurely
Burnham Beeches Car park Lord Mayors drive Farnham Common Slough SL2 3PS, Burnham Beeches Car park Lord Mayors drive Farnham Common Slough SL2 3PS,, United Kingdom, GBA gentle circular walk through the nature reserve of Burnham Beeches with a chance to experience some lovely autumn colours.
As on our walks here at Burnham Beeches in recent years, the walk leaders will be arriving at the walk start point earlier before the official start to enjoy some coffee and bacon rolls. Please feel free to join from 10am if able.
After coffee/rolls, we will set out from the main Lord Mayor’s Drive car park towards the south part of the nature reserve towards the middle pond. We will then pass the remains of an old settlement before heading along some of the main roads of Burnham Beeches and passing the main Moat of the reserve.
We will then briefly depart the main part of Burnham Beeches and head into Dorney Wood and Littleworth Common before heading through Egypt Woods. After a brief bit of road walking, we will return to the main bit of Burnham Beeches via Dukes Drive before making our return to the main car park via the Beeches Way.
This walk will be led by Jack and Angela.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
If coming by public transport, please get the 9:29 train if coming from Reading arriving at Slough at 9:51. You will then need to get the bus from Slough Queensmere departing from stop G at 10:04 and arriving at Farnham Common opposite the Forester's Arms at 10:28. It is then a short walk from there to Lord Mayor's Drive car park.
If driving, please park at Lord's Mayor's Drive car park where charges apply.
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.10 attendees
Love Stories: Newbury Symphony Orchestra Autumn concert and social
St Nicolas Church, West Mills, Newbury, GBTo start off their 146th season, the Newbury Symphony Orchestra will be playing a selection of music by Glinka, Wagner, and Prokofiev. This will be preceded by a pre-concert social at The Hatchet Inn for those who want to attend this before the concert. The organiser plans to get there by 17:15 if you’re interested in joining from then onwards.
After the social, the organiser plans to arrive at the church for around 19:00, so feel free to arrive from then onwards as long as you’re seated at the time of the concert. If you’re interested in attending, please show your interest via here on Meetup as well as purchasing a ticket either on the door or via Eventbrite at a cost of £15 per person.
The programme is as follows:
· Glinka. – Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture.
· Wagner. – Tristan and Isolde Prelude & Libestod.
· Prokofiev. – Extracts from Romeo and Juliet ballet suite.
N.B.: Just signing up on Meetup doesn’t guarantee you entry to the concert or this social. You’ll need to buy a ticket in order to enter the church.7 attendees
Pages and Pastures: Shiplake & Binfield Heath, 9 miles, leisurely
Shiplake Station, Station Road, Lower Shiplake, Oxfordshire, RG9 3NY , GBA 9 mile circular beginning at Shiplake Station including rolling fields, a telephone box book exchange and a pub.
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: 185m.
This walk will be led by Oli D and Caroline T.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
This 9-mile circular walk begins at Shiplake Station and offers a wonderful blend of scenic variety and rural charm. We’ll start our journey with a quick visit to a local gem — a traditional red telephone box that’s been converted into a delightful community book exchange, perfect for a brief browse before we set off. From there, the route leads us through gently undulating countryside and quiet village lanes towards Binfield Heath, where we’ll take in beautiful views of open fields, hedgerows, and woodlands typical of South Oxfordshire. After looping back towards Shiplake, those who wish can join for a friendly post-walk gathering at the Baskerville Arms (space in the pub permitting).
Travel details
By public transport
The walk begins at Shiplake Station. If travelling from Reading please take the 9:24am train, which arrives at 9:52am (including a change in Twyford).
By car
There is a small car park at Shiplake station which is free of charge. If the car park is full, please park legally and considerately nearby.
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.29 attendees
Area AGM: Pangbourne's Waterways, 5 miles, leisurely
Pangbourne Village Hall , Pangbourne, Pangbourne, Reading, GBThe Berkshire Area Annual General Meeting, is being hosted by the Berkshire Weekend Walkers and us, the Berkshire Walkers, this year. Each group is providing a short walk before the AGM.
A 5-mile circular walk beginning at Pangbourne Village Hall and taking in three rivers, the Pang, the Bourne and the Thames.
Ascent: 33m.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
For this walk, please meet in the Pay-and-Display car park on Station Road (by the Village Hall) for a 10:30am start.
Starting at the Village Hall, we will walk up toward, and through, the Pang meadow and then on to the hamlet of Tidmarsh. We will head toward Sulham Woods, which the locals believe to be haunted! We will then head back through the wast side of the Pang meadow, where, amongst a smattering of cows (dependent on whether they are at pasture), there is a Pillbox from World War II. Then we move alongside the River Bourne to the Thames; heading back toward Whitchurch Bridge, and finishing back at the Village Hall. There will be mud!
The walk will finish around midday, in time for the AGM activities at the village hall.
Travel details
By public transport
By train from Reading, take the 09:53 Didcot Parkway service, which stops at Pangbourne at 10:01.
By car
Parking at the Pay-and-Display car park costs £2 for 3 hours, or £6 for the day.
Notes
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.6 attendees
Past events
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