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Berkshire Walkers (Group)

A 20s and 30s Ramblers group.

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Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our quarterly Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking

Overview

Join us for a leisurely Bank Holiday Sunday walk around Pangbourne and Whitchurch Hill with views across to Purley and the River Thames, weather permitting. This easy walk sees us head up out of Pangbourne over the River Thames to join the footpaths of the local countryside. Along the walk we hope to see large clusters and carpets of bluebells…

Advance booking is not required, but if you plan on attending this walk, please indicate this on Meetup if you can (see Website link), so others can see that there will be plenty of people going.

Pace: gentle.

Sunday, 5 May 2024
Start time:
11:45 am
Estimated finish time:
2:30 pm
Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
10.5km / 6.5mi
Ascent:
N/A
Type:
circular

Walk details

The walk will start from Pangbourne station and take us over the River Thames via Whitchurch Bridge, past the beautiful St Mary the Virgin Church at Whitchurch. Heading up the hill we join the local paths and join the Chiltern Way footpath.

We pass through Collins End and walk through Bottom Wood and onto Long Ground Plantation. Here we should be able to see plenty of bluebells in all their glory!

Once we reach the top of Straw Hill we will get amazing views across to Purley and the River Thames (weather permitting). We now have to walk down the hill – it is fairly steep downwards so we will take our time here. If this is muddy please be careful!

We will walk past Hardwick House and get to see the alpacas at Bozedown Farm. How many different colours of alpacas will you get to spot?

As we come back into Whitchurch Hill we will head back over the Whitchurch Toll Bridge crossing the River Thames and back to Pangbourne station.

Travel details

By public transport

From Reading, catch the 11.26am train which will arrive at Pangbourne at 11.34am.

From Didcot Parkway, catch the 11.12am train which will arrive at Pangbourne at 11.26am.

By car

Free parking is available at the car park opposite the Lamborghini Garage in the centre of Pangbourne. This car park is only a couple of minutes’ walk from the station (where charges do apply).

The train station has its own car park but charges will apply – you can use the APCOA app to pay for parking. We would recommend downloading and setting up the APCOA app in advance – will save you time on the day of the walk.

Notes

  • Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
  • It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
  • Please feel free to contact the leader with queries about the walk, or if you are delayed on the day.

Features

  • Accessible by public transport
  • Car parking available

Starting point

Grid reference:
SU 63283 76653
Nearest postcode:
RG8 7DY
what3words:
hazelnuts.subplot.rush
Start time:
11:45 am

Pangbourne station

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our quarterly Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking