Due to Government and Ramblers restrictions, all walks are limited to 5 walkers + the Walk Leader. Please do not turn up for a walk without prior booking, as we will have to turn you away.
Due to COVID-19, we all need to take extra steps to stay safe. Please follow all safety advice given by the walk leader, including the latest guidelines on physical distancing while out walking.
Please follow the latest government guidelines on the use of public transport and car sharing. It is recommended that you bring hand sanitizer or gloves in case you need to touch gates/stiles/etc. It is also recommended that you bring a face covering, in case of emergencies. If you or someone else from your household has COVID-19 symptoms, please do not attend.
We will meet at 10:30am outside the entrance to Sunningdale station, shortly after the arrival of the 09:54 departure from Reading (10:08 from Wokingham). The walk leader intends to be on this train – if it is delayed, the start of the walk will be too.
This will be a circular walk through a mixture of heathland and woodland, mostly within Chobham Common National Nature Reserve. We’ll head east out of the town to reach the first section of the common, passing under the M3 to reach more open heathland, from where some very small hills offer good views across the expanse of the common. After crossing the heath, we’ll walk through the woodland around Gracious Pond and Butts Hill, skirting Langshot Bog and crossing the motorway again at Valley End. We’ll then return to the start across Ribs Down and the golf course.
Trains back to Reading (and Wokingham) run every hour.
There is some parking available at Sunningdale station (charges probably apply), otherwise if driving please park considerately and legally nearby.
Although much of the walk is fairly level on decent paths, there are a few small hills and short sections of narrower paths encroached upon by heather and gorse. (Although the walk was recce’d in shorts, you might want to bear this in mind!) There are also sandy sections which could become muddy in wet weather.
Please bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink. There will be no pub stop on this walk.
Book a place on this walk by completing the Google Form. We will only use the contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk, or to share if requested with NHS Test and Trace.