We will meet at 11:10am outside the entrance to Sunningdale station, shortly after the arrival of the 10:32 departure from Reading (10:46 from Wokingham). The walk leader intends to be on this train – if it is delayed, the start of the walk will be too. (Note that these are the revised times due to strike action on that day, which are now showing on the National Rail website – but please check on the day for any further updates.)
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. A short section of road leads us to our pub stop at the Brickmakers, before we return to the start across Ribs Down and the golf course.
Trains back to Reading (and Wokingham) run every hour, with the option of a second pub stop at the Broomhall Hutt (less than 300m from the station).
There is some parking available at Sunningdale station (charges probably apply).
Please bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.
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 also sandy sections which could become muddy in wet weather.
Sat Nav: SL5 0EL or 51.3920 -0.6336
Grid Ref: SU951667