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- A weekend in the New ForestNeeds location
Join us for two days exploring the New Forest National Park, staying overnight at the youth hostel in Burley. From Lyndhurst to Sway, we’ll see all the southwestern New Forest has to offer: not just trees, but heathland, hills, deer, witchcraft and… a Naked Man.
PLEASE SEE THE FULL DETAILS ON THE BW WEBSITE, & SIGN UP USING THE FORM.
Just to give you a heads up before you read on, this trip involves two linear walks: a linear walk from Lyndhurst to the hostel in Burley on Saturday, and a linear walk from the hostel to Sway on Sunday. There are very few transport links from Burley, so there are no options to dump stuff at the hostel before the walks: you will need to carry your overnight stuff with you on both walks.
If you have any questions about the trip, please email the organisers Paul and Shannon.
Saturday's Walk - The New Forest: Witches & Deer, 9.5 miles, moderate
Saturday’s linear walk will take us through the New Forest from Lyndhurst to the YHA in Burley, via the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, and the quirky village of Burley, famous for its witchcraft links.Accommodation Saturday Night
We have booked several rooms on Saturday night at the YHA New Forest Hostel in Burley. We have currently booked three rooms in the hostel with a total of 14 beds: these will cost between £31 and £45 each, depending on how many places are filled. We may book more rooms if there is sufficient interest. Reserve your space and sign up for the trip by completing the form.If you wish to book your own accommodation, please note that you will need to make your own way from / to the YHA Burley after / before the walks, from which there are no public transport links.
Sunday's Walk - The New Forest: Burley to Sway & the Naked Man, 8.5 miles, easy/moderate
Sunday’s linear walk will take us through the New Forest from the YHA in Burley to the railway station in Sway. The route will take us through different habitats of the New Forest, and even a Naked Man.PLEASE SEE THE FULL DETAILS ON THE BW WEBSITE, & SIGN UP USING THE FORM.
- Greenham Common Circular, 8.4 miles, easy/moderateNewbury station, Newbury
This walk takes us through the former RAF/USAF base at Greenham/Crookham Common.
This walk will be led by Michael.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Pace: medium. Ascent: 60m.
Walk details
This walk is a partial adaptation of an earlier walk that I did in May 2024, of which the details of it can be found here.
Starting at the south side of Newbury station, we’ll walk along Station Road towards the A339, which we’ll turn right towards Greenham Road and Stroud Green. We’ll then turn left onto Racecourse Road before turning right onto New Road, which will take us to Greenham Common. To get onto the Common, we’ll walk through one of the minor gates onto the common, where we’ll then do a complete loop of both Greenham and Crookham Commons, with a lunch stop at the former control tower. After completing this, we’ll walk through the car park as earlier before heading back to Newbury station along Greenham Road again. For those who want a pint at the end, we’ll be stopping off at The Dolphin pub, which is only a short walk from the station.
Travel details
By public transport
The recommended train from Reading is the 10:33 GWR service, which arrives in Newbury at 10:54. Please note that the walk starts from the south (Station Road) side of the station.
By car
There's a large car park on the north side of the station, where parking fees apply. Please note that the walk starts on the other (Station Road) side, and allow time to make your way there after parking.
Notes
- Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
- It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
- 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 of the walk in enough time to be helpful.
- Berkshire Walkers Social: Wallingford Bonfire & FireworksCoach and Horses, Wallingford, OX10 0DT
Join us for a visit to the bonfire and fireworks display in Wallingford!
The event kicks off with a quiet firework display at 6pm, followed by a bonfire and the main firework display. It's free to attend, although donations (which can be made on the night or online) are encouraged. According to their website, there will also be hot dogs, mulled wine and beer (from Loose Cannon) available.
It may get very crowded in the park, so for those who'd like to make your way over together, we'll meet on the large paved area in the Market Place at 17:35 (or on the arrival of the X40 bus due at 17:32, departing from Reading at 16:45, if it's delayed) to walk the short distance to Kinecroft Park. (Look out for anyone sporting a BW footprint logo!)
Buses run back to Reading approximately hourly. There are also buses from other directions, and several car parks around Wallingford, although be aware they could be busy.
If you're not able to join us until later, please contact the organiser (via the details on the event page on our website) to find out where we are – but be aware this could be a challenge if it's crowded and calls/messages are unlikely to be picked up while the display is in progress.
More details here: https://wallingford1155.co.uk/wallingford-fireworks/
- Canada and the First Nations a totem pole journey, 10 miles, moderateWindsor and Eton Central Station, SL4 1PJ
A walk from Windsor, taking in the Long Walk, Savill Garden and the totem pole.
This walk will be led by Alicia.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Pace: medium. Ascent: 10m.
Walk details
We start walking through Windsor town and along the long walk. Through to Savill Garden where there is an opportunity to stop for refreshments and there are toilets. Then we will continue to the totem pole which may have been lowered. The totem pole was carved by Chief Mungo Martin and there are two poles one was in Vancouver and has already been lowered. Carved onto it are the Thunderbird, Orca the Raven. Who all have spiritual meaning for the First Nations of Canada. Then we will head back to Windsor maybe stopping again at Savill Garden for toilets. The walk will end at Windsor & Eton Central station where it started.
Travel details
By public transport
Trains run between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central every 20 minutes.
The 09:50 service from Slough to Windsor & Eton Central arrives at 09:56, just in time for the start of the walk. If travelling from Reading, you can take the 09:12 GWR service and change at Slough.
By car
There is parking in Windsor, but it is expensive so better to come by train.
Notes
- Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
- It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
- 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 of the walk in enough time to be helpful.