berkshire walkers logo

Berkshire Walkers (Group)

A 20s and 30s Ramblers group.

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 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

This is Part 3 of a series of walks across The South Downs Way that the Berkshire Walkers are running in 2024. This is a 12-mile linear walk from Petersfield train station to Cocking.

This walk requires advance booking via Meetup (see Website link). Please do not turn up without booking.

Pace: medium.

Saturday, 31 August 2024
Start time:
10:30 am
Estimated finish time:
5:30 pm
Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
19.3km / 12.0mi
Ascent:
466m / 1529ft
Type:
linear

Walk details

This is a ridge walk along the South Downs Way. A good path, with some steep ascents in the westerly half of the walk, but only gentle ups and downs east of the Devil's Jumps, and fine 360 degree views throughout the day. Less hilly than Part 2! We will walk past Tower Hill (has a folly), Beacon Hill (242 metres, ancient hill fort), Treyford Hill and Linch Ball (hill, trig point just north of the SDW path).

This walk is quite wooded and with big sections on tracks and lanes and a beautiful descent to Cocking, perhaps the best scenery of the walk.

At the end, we may like to stop for a drink at The Blue Bell pub in Cocking to celebrate finishing the third section of our walk.

Travel details

By public transport

Outward journey: From Reading, take the 08:19 train and change at Guildford (09:04), take the 09:33 train to Petersfield (arriv. 10:04). 

Return journey: Please note that there is limited public transport from Cocking at the end of the walk. You may like to organise accommodation to stay locally and continue with Part 4 on Sunday, which will take us to Amberley Station on Sunday afternoon where a train via Gatwick gets us back to Reading. The walk leader will be organising own accommodation for this reason.

If you would prefer to do a day walk, please get a 20-minute taxi back to Petersfield. There is the option of taking the #60 Bus north to Midhurst (half-hourly), then change to the #70 Bus to Haslemere (hourly) to Haslemere train station to get back to Berkshire from here. 

By car

Park at Petersfield Train station, charges apply. Please note that this is a linear walk, so you will need to organise a taxi to get back to the car at the end 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.

Booking details

  • This walk is limited to 26 walkers including the walk leader
  • Do not turn up for the walk without booking, else we will have to turn you away.
  • Book a place on this walk via Meetup (see Website link).
  • Please see our group website for more information: https://www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk/

Features

  • Refreshments available (Pub/cafe)
  • Accessible by public transport

Starting point

Grid reference:
SU 74375 23556
Nearest postcode:
GU32 3EE
what3words:
swooning.hears.trusts
Start time:
10:30 am

Petersfield Train Station

Finishing point

Grid reference:
SU 87809 17627
Nearest postcode:
GU29 0HU
what3words:
deal.replays.buildings
Estimated finish time:
5:30 pm

The Blue Bell, Cocking

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 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