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- Grapes, Bramleys, and Gunpowder, 10.5 miles, moderateGuildford Railway Station, Guildford
Join us for a leisurely countryside walk to celebrate a special milestone birthday! This route takes us through beautiful scenery, charming villages, and even includes a couple of well-deserved pub stops.
The walk begins by heading out of Guildford along the tranquil Wey Navigation. From there, we join the Wey South Path, following the old railway line to Bramley. Next, we make our way to Wonersh for the first pub stop.
After the pub, we head up to Blackheath Hill and explore Blackheath Common before descending into Chilworth. Here, we stop at another pub to rest and recharge. The route then takes us to the historic Chilworth Gunpowder Mills for a glimpse into the area's past.
Moving on, we pass through a picturesque vineyard below St. Martha’s Church and follow the path to Shalford, where we visit the National Trust mill. Finally, we rejoin the Wey Navigation and follow it back to Guildford, finishing at the Britannia pub for some well-earned drinks and food.
Ascent: 200m.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Please travel on the 9.24am train from Reading if travelling by train.
Parking is available at the station and in various town centre car parks.
Please bring a packed lunch.
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.
- Three Castles Path Part 2 - Martins Heron to Crowthorne, 8.5 miles, leisurelyMartins Heron, Bracknell
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 Carta. 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 begin the Second Part of our Three Castles journey from where we left off in Martins Heron station. We head back towards Swinley Park skirting towards Swinley Forest. We will stop briefly for a quick coffee at Woodlark’s Café before continuing through Swinley Forest to Butter Hill and towards Edgbarrow Woods Nature Reserve. After passing through the Reserve, we make our way to Crowthorne station where we conclude Part Two.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Please note that there is rail replacement in operation from Reading to Martins Heron on this day. Please get the rail replacement at 9:33 (should be on the North Side of the station) from Reading arriving at Martins Heron at 10:18. Trains will be running from Crowthorne this day. If driving, a practical option may be to park at Wokingham station and get the rail replacement to Martins Heron then get the train from Crowthorne back to Wokingham at the end of the walk.
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.
- Soggy Boots & Siege Sites, 8.5 miles, moderateSnelsmore Common Car Park, Newbury
8.5 mile circular including Snelsmore Common Country park and Donnington Castle
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: 376m.
This walk will be led by Caroline and Oli.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
This is an 8.5-mile circular walk through the beautiful North Wessex Downs. We’ll kick things off at Snelsmore Common Country Park, where we’ll wander through ancient woodland—keep your eyes peeled, as there is a chance of seeing the wild ponies that call this place home! From there, we’ll step out into open countryside, soaking up rolling fields and sweeping views. Towards the end, we’ll visit the majestic ruins of Donnington Castle, a 14th-century fortress with a history of battles and sieges.
There is a small cafe and toilet block at the car park, but this was not open on the day of the recce, and opening hours are unclear. For this reason, please do not rely on these amenities and bring your own lunch.
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
The walk starts at Snelsmore Common Country Park, where there is a free car park. We will meet outside the cafe and toilet building at the car park entrance. The car park consists of multiple parking areas, so please park your car and meet us at the building.
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.
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: Hola Mexico! A meal of Mexican street foodPachangas, Newbury
For this evening meal social, we’ll be going to the Mexican restaurant Pachangas, which opened on Newbury Market Square in 2024. The menu offers a range of traditional Mexican Street food, including popular dishes such as tacos. As the booking only has 15 spaces, including the organiser, please show your interest as soon as possible via here on Meetup if you’re interested to avoid disappointment. The menu for the restaurant can be found here.
To get to this restaurant from Newbury station, leave from the Station Approach/North side of the station, and walk towards the cinema. Once here, keep walking to pass it towards the Market Square, and it should be on your left almost opposite the Corn Exchange.