Walking in Berkshire

ZooSi · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 09:48 AM

Just a query - although I like to enjoy the countryside at home, since I've been in Reading at uni I haven't gone out of the town a great deal (mainly due to lectures, nights out and the subsequent hangovers!). Could anyone recommend any nature reserves/walks in Berkshire near enough to Reading that I can get to on my tiny scooter without too long a journey (say, for example, within 15miles of Reading)? It would be nice to take the other half (and myself

) out of the the town at the weekend.

Billy Wobble Dagger · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 09:58 AM

BBOWT have two reserves quite close to you,

| Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildllife Trust |

| Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildllife Trust |

or there home page,

| Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildllife Trust |

Chimney meadows in Oxfordshire is also an impressive reserve.

Hope this helps and if you go you enjoy them

BWD

Meles meles · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 10:01 AM

Firstly, there are alot of lakes/woodland. the thames etc all right on your doorstep.
Otherwise;
1, Basildon park. Ancient trees, mammals etc
2, check out for lots of wildlife trust reccomended locations.
Google Maps
3, West Berkshire Council - Hosehill Lake Local Nature Reserve

Lots of suggestions to look at,

Hope you have fun

Meles meles

ZooSi · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 10:03 AM

I have to say you are all seriously quick at replying... and I appreciate it muchly! Will try one out at the weekend, when my bike has (hopefully) been fixed by the garage

Cheers!

Meles meles · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZooSi

I have to say you are all seriously quick at replying... and I appreciate it muchly! Will try one out at the weekend, when my bike has (hopefully) been fixed by the garage

Cheers!

If not check google map or multi map. Pop down library have a ponder, there are local walks.
If really stuck as i say there is the thames which leads to some lakes etc. And alot of woodland.

If you cant drive, walk!!! Also means better chance to carry a blanket and picnic etc.
As well as camera, bins, id book all the norm, well normal for those on the site anyway.

Have fun

Paul mabbott · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2007, 10:39 AM

Not specifically nature related but Cicerone publish lots of walk books which are very good. I've not tried the Berks one - Walking in Berkshire - Cicerone but might be worth looking at?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZooSi

Just a query - although I like to enjoy the countryside at home, since I've been in Reading at uni I haven't gone out of the town a great deal (mainly due to lectures, nights out and the subsequent hangovers!). Could anyone recommend any nature reserves/walks in Berkshire near enough to Reading that I can get to on my tiny scooter without too long a journey (say, for example, within 15miles of Reading)? It would be nice to take the other half (and myself

) out of the the town at the weekend.

Pete Collins · #7 (**permalink**) 13-09-2007, 06:23 PM

You're not far from the Chiltern Hills, just the other side of the Thames. Great for walking and lots of Red Kites. The Hambleden valley near Henley is really nice and great for walking, but I believe it can be a bit busy at weekends.

jennyb · #8 (**permalink**) 13-09-2007, 07:23 PM

There is the Kennet and Avon canal (The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, Devizes Wharf, Couch Lane, Devizes, Wiltshire, England - Working to Protect Enhance and Promote The Kennet and Avon Canal.) which starts in Reading and heads west.

Bowdown Woods in Newbury (| Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildllife Trust |).

Thatcham Reedbeds and Nature Discovery Centre (West Berkshire Council - Wildlife).

These are within 15-20 miles of Reading uni.

If you are into birds, there are the gravel pits at Theale and in another thread someone mentioned a peregrine falcon at Reading station!

Jenny

ZooSi · #9 (**permalink**) 14-09-2007, 10:26 AM

Thanks everyone - I'll be sure to check out some of your suggestions over the coming weeks and months.

Meles meles · #10 (**permalink**) 14-09-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZooSi

Thanks everyone - I'll be sure to check out some of your suggestions over the coming weeks and months.

And what about this weekend, decided where you are going??

ZooSi · #11 (**permalink**) 14-09-2007, 11:09 AM

Hehe... well as the other half will be away and I'm working on sunday (as per usual), I might try to go somewhere close, maybe Moor Copse Nature Reserve nr Pangbourne... but after I've seen the F1 qualifying. If I see anything cool, pics to follow!

bleeper · #12 (**permalink**) 14-09-2007, 11:26 AM

If you go out to woodley and towards wokingham, you will find Lavells Lake (with couple of hides for bird watching) and Dinton Pastures country park, lovely walks. Should't take you too long to get there. There are details on the internet, give it a google.

ChasCreek · #13 (**permalink**) 14-09-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennyb

Bowdown Woods in Newbury (| Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildllife Trust |).

Thatcham Reedbeds and Nature Discovery Centre (West Berkshire Council - Wildlife).

Jenny

This is usefull, I often work in Thatcham and stay overnight around the Thatcham / Newbury area and have wondered what there was around there. Mind I keep threatening to go to Greenham Common which is only just up the road from the one hotel I stay at and don't get around to it!

derekmc · #14 (**permalink**) 14-09-2007, 02:15 PM

Zoosi -

All these are good suggestions - another possibility is Hosehill Lake, just south of Theale & Junction 12 of the M4. It's a fairly compact reserve, based around a reclaimed gravel pit (one of the chain that Jenny mentioned). You can walk around it in about an hour or so.

It's not an entirely unbiased suggestion - I belong to a local group (TABCG) who manage it in cooperation with West Berkshire Council as a Local Nature Reserve. It's probably best in winter, when Hosehill regularly attracts large numbers of wintering ducks and geese, and occasional vagrants like ospreys, black-necked grebes etc. However, it's also worth a visit in spring for warblers, nightingales and hirundines and, in the summer months, there are good numbers of butterflies & dragonflies.

If you are in the Newbury area, then Snelsmore Common can be good as well, as can Padworth Common (one of the best sites I know for heathland species like Dartford Warbler, Golden-Ringed Dragonflies, various species of heather and Adders).

Details of these are on the website for the West Berks Countryside Dept. Alternatively, drop me a private message - TABCG do run public walks and events throughout the year. I'd be happy to send you details of what's coming up if you ever feel like a little company!

All the best,
Derek

jennyb · #15 (**permalink**) 14-09-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasCreek

This is usefull, I often work in Thatcham and stay overnight around the Thatcham / Newbury area and have wondered what there was around there. Mind I keep threatening to go to Greenham Common which is only just up the road from the one hotel I stay at and don't get around to it!

Bodown Woods is actually just across the road from Greenham Common. You can also walk along the Kennet and Avon towpath from Thatcham.

Jenny