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.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Three Castles Path Part 4 - Winchfield to Basingstoke, 14 miles, strenuousWinchfield station, Rg278bx
The Three Castles Path is a 60 mile trek from Windsor Castle to Winchester Great Hall. The Path is based on the 13th Century journeys of King John around the time of the Magna Cartna. It is so named as it passes the castles of Windsor, Odiham, and Winchester. Sadly, only Windsor Castle remains intact to the present day, with Odiham Castle currently a ruin and Winchester Castle destroyed completely with the Great Hall marking its location. We take a 6 part journey retracing history - our journey will pass the towns of New Alresford, Hartley Wintney, Ascot, Sandhurst and Bracknell as well as numerous villages.
We start Part 4 of our Three Castles journey from Winchfield station heading towards the Basingstoke Canal where we will make our way to Odiham and pass the remains of our second castle on the trail. We will have our lunch around the ruins.
After lunch, we will stop at the Fox & Goose at Greywell. We will then make our way towards Tunworth and on into Basingstoke where we conclude Part 4.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Bus replacement services will be running this day. If coming from Reading, please get the 8:25 bus replacement service to Winchfield. This will include catching the 8:25 train to Gatwick Airport changing at Farnborough North to walk to Farnborough Main station to get the bus replacement to Winchfield arriving at 9:41. Alternatively, you can drive to the start or end points and catch the bus replacement back to Basingstoke or Winchfield (around a 25 minute journey between both points, no changes).
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.
- Bluebells from Thatcham, 8 miles, leisurely (BOOKING_REQUIRED)Thatcham Railway Station, RG19 4PP
A gentle stroll from Thatcham along the canal, into Bowdown Woods (where we hope to see plenty of bluebells) and back through Greenham Common.
Pace: gentle. Ascent: 107m.
Booking is required for this walk, which is limited to 20 walkers.
This walk will be led by Shannon.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
The walk will start as a nice easy stroll along the Kennet and Avon canal until we reach Bull’s lock. There we will cross the canal and head south towards Bowdown Farm.
We’ll walk up the hill towards the Bowdown Woods Nature Reserve: a beautiful ancient woodland with spectacular views; hidden valleys; and handsome bridges over winding streams and carpets of bluebells. We’ll loop around the top of the reserve – there will be a few ups and downs, but nothing strenuous. We'll stop to eat our packed lunches here.
Finally, we’ll head back down the hill and out onto Greenham Common. This is a pretty and open stretch of heathland, which used to host a RAF base through the Second World War and Cold War. We will follow the footpath around the common and then head north to re-join the canal path and return to the station.
Travel by public transport
If travelling from Reading, please catch the 10:12 Great Western Railway service from Reading, which calls at Reading West (10:14), Theale (10:19), Aldermaston (10:24), Midgham (10:27), and arrives into Thatcham at 10:31.
Return trains run approximately every 45 minutes, and if we have long to wait, we can call into the pub next to the station.
Travel by car
Parking is available at Thatcham station, charges may apply.
Advice
- Please bring a packed lunch.
- If it’s sunny, please bring sun cream, a hat, and plenty of water.
Dogs
Dogs welcome provided they are under control at all times and placed on a lead when requested by the walk leader.
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.
- Summer stroll round the parks of Wokingham, 5.75 miles, leisurelyWokingham railway station, Wokingham
This 5.75 mile medium paced evening walk will take us round the parks and a nature reserve in Wokingham.
This walk will be led by Aaron F.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details: The walk will start outside the main entrance of Wokingham Train Station. From there we will head through Woosehill Meadows. We will then go through the Woodland section of Joel Park before walking through Cantley Park. The walk then takes us round Keephatch Nature Reserve before walking back via the other side of Cantley Park. We will then walk through St Paul's Church before returning to the train station.
Travel details: by public transport: If travelling by train from Reading you can get the 1809 train from Reading arriving at Wokingham at 18.23.
By car: If travelling by car you can pay to park in the station car park. There are also several pay and display car parks in the town centre. You may be able to park in some of the roads near the station but please check for any parking restrictions.
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.
- Rocks, Swans, and a Castle – Exploring the Isle of PurbeckSwanage Youth Hostel , BH19 2BS
We’re going to the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, an area rich in natural beauty, history, and geology.
Despite the name, Purbeck is not an island (although with the sea on two sides and Poole Harbour on a third, it sometimes feels like one). The area’s unique geology makes it a magnet for fossil hunters and part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The UK’s longest National Trail, the South West Coast Path, passes around Purbeck and forms the backbone of two of the planned walks. We’ll arrive in the seaside resort of Swanage, the largest town in the area, on Friday night, for three days of walking on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
For more details, see the Berkshire Walkers website.
Please note, you must be a member of the Ramblers to attend this event for insurance reasons.
