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- 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.
- Messing About By The Rivers, 5.5 miles, leisurelyTaplow station, Taplow
This 5.5-mile circular walk from Taplow takes in stretches of the Thames Path and Jubilee River, and goes past the 2012 Olympic rowing and canoeing venue.
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: gentle. Ascent: 15m.
This walk will be led by Tom and Cate.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
From the station, there will be a short stretch of road walking, before we walk past Taplow Lake. We’ll then join the Jubilee River for the first time. Completed in 2002, this is a 7 mile long artificial river that is the centrepiece of a flood defence scheme for Maidenhead and Windsor. After a short distance we’ll leave the Jubilee River and join the Thames Path proper, just after Bray Lock. Continuing on the river past Summerleaze Footbridge, we’ll leave and get a distant view of Dorney Lake - the venue for Olympic rowing and canoeing in 2012. If numbers permit, we'll make a stop at the excellent cafe at Dorney Court. Afterwards, we’ll rejoin the Jubilee River for a second stretch before returning to the station via footpaths and roads.
Travel details
By public transport
Please travel on the 13.02 departure from Reading (Maidenhead 13.15) if travelling by train. The walk leaders intend to travel on this train, if it is delayed the start of the walk will be as well. At the end of the walk return trains are half-hourly.
By car
Pay-by-app parking is available at the station.
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 note - there is no lunch stop on this walk.
- 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.
- Itchen Way Leg 1: Southampton to Eastleigh, 10 miles, moderateWeston Shore Promenade, Southampton
We start our journey at the mouth of the River Itchen at Weston Point shore promenade and start following the trail through Woolston.
After going under the Itchen Bridge, we wind our way through Southampton passing sites like Chessel Bay Nature Reserve, a Miniature Railway and Riverside Park.
We aim to have lunch in Marhill Copse before visiting the White Swan pub for refreshment. After refreshment, we continue along our trail passing more nature reserves and Southampton Airport before arriving in Eastleigh, our stop off point for day one of our Itchen adventure.
This walk will be led by Jack Lewis.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
If coming from Reading, please get the 8:54 train to Southampton Central arriving at 9:43. There is the number 17 bus to Weston from Central station (Stop SA) leaving at around 10am and arriving at Weston Shore Promenade at 10:35. Buses are every 10 minutes.
For those driving, there is no parking at Weston Point. We suggest parking at the end point of Eastleigh train station and catch the train to Southampton Central then the number 17 bus (this will take around an hour). Alternatively, taxis are available which will take 20 minutes to the start point.
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.