Blackwater to Wokingham walk

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Walk Maps

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Walk Options ( Main | Short )

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13. Main Walk (25½ km)

9. Main Walk, starting from Sandhurst (22¼ km)
1. Main Walk, starting from Crowthorne (18¾ km)
2. Short Walk, finishing at Crowthorne (17½ km)
61. Short Walk, starting from Sandhurst (14¼ km)
3. Short Circular Walk, from Crowthorne (10¾ km)
4. Direct Walk, omitting Finchampstead (15¼ km)
113. Direct Walk, starting from Sandhurst (12 km)
5. Reverse Walk, starting from Crowthorne (13½ km)
139. Reverse Walk, finishing at Sandhurst (10½ km)

Walk Directions

Click on any section heading to switch between detailed directions and an outline, or the heading above to switch all sections.

If you are doing the shorter start (from Sandhurst), start at [?] in §B.

If you are doing the alternative start (from Crowthorne), start at §E.

1. Blackwater Station to Sandhurst High Street (3¼ km)
• Leave the station on a path alongside Station Approach, crossing the River Blackwater and entering Shepherd Meadows Nature Reserve on the Blackwater Valley Path (BVP). Go all the way through the reserve (optionally detouring off the BVP through some of the meadows). Stay on the BVP as it crosses the railway and continues alongside the river to Swan Lane. Turn right onto the road, then in 400m take a footpath on the left going alongside the railway embankment to Sandhurst High Street.

1. Arriving from Guildford

1. Leave the platform near the back of the train. Go out onto White Hart Parade and up steps to the A30 (London Road). Turn left onto the pathway alongside the main road and cross the railway. After going past the station car park follow the path across the River Blackwater, then round to the left alongside Station Approach.

2. Arriving from Reading/Wokingham

1. Leave the platform near the front of the train. Bear right through the car park and take a path alongside Station Approach, parallel to the A30 (London Road) up to the right. Keep right to cross the River Blackwater on a footbridge and follow the path round to the left.
3. Ignore a path on the left going back across the river into a business park. Where Station Approach swings round to the right, veer left past a vehicle barrier into Shepherd Meadows Nature Reserve? on the Blackwater Valley Path? (BVP). Almost immediately there is a wooden kissing gate leading into a meadow on the right.
4. The suggested route is to go through this gate and follow a clear grassy path in a gentle arc round to the left, going through a gap in the belt of trees across the middle of the meadow. Avoid paths into the trees on the right to return to the riverside path through another kissing gate in the far left-hand corner.
   • If the first gate is locked or the meadow looks waterlogged you can simply stay on the riverside path.
5. After rejoining the BVP follow it across the river on a footbridge: you will be following it for around 1 km through the rest of the nature reserve. After 400m the path briefly splits and you can take either fork; they rejoin 150m later. Ignore a footbridge across the river here (leading to the reserve car park) to keep the river on your right, soon going through a kissing gate on the path.
6. At the far end of the meadows you go through another kissing gate next to a fieldgate and the BVP swings right to go back across the river on a footbridge. On the other side turn left at a path crossing, staying on the BVP. Follow the path across a side stream and then up an elevated walkway high above and across the railway line. After crossing the main river yet again keep right to stay close to the river.
7. Follow the tree-lined riverside path for 750m, later with paddocks behind a long wooden fence on your left. The path eventually comes out onto a road (Swan Lane). Turn right to cross the river for the last time and continue along the road past a large water treatment works, partially screened behind trees.
8. In 400m, just before the road goes under a railway bridge, turn left onto a signposted footpath. Follow this alleyway all the way alongside the railway embankment, later below the platforms of Sandhurst station. At the end keep right to go out along a short road to the A321 (Sandhurst High Street). Turn left onto the main road.
2. Sandhurst High Street • Station to Ambarrow Lane (2¼ km)
• • If starting from Sandhurst station, go down the exit ramp and turn left onto the A321.
  Head west along the A321 for 600m. At the junction with Yateley Road cut through a small housing estate ahead to continue along Lower Church Road, still on the BVP. At the far end turn right onto a permissive horse right running parallel to a narrow lane. In 250m turn right onto a footpath heading north along field edges to Ambarrow Lane.

1. Starting from Sandhurst Station

1. Go down the ramp from either of the platforms to the A321 and turn left onto the main road, joining both the Blackwater Valley Path? (BVP) and the Blackwater start from the first road on the left.
2. Head W along the A321 for 600m, passing a couple of very early refreshment places on the left along the way: the Old Mill Coffee Shop & Cafe in a small parade of shops, then the Rose & Crown pub. The main road swerves right and left, then comes to a junction with Yateley Road on the left. Cross the side road carefully and go straight ahead on a pathway through a small housing estate.
3. Bear left into Lych Gate Close, go past Belfry Mews and up a short slope to come out onto Lower Church Road opposite a primary school. Turn left and go all the way along this quiet lane, soon passing St Michael's church up on the right and eventually coming to a T-junction.
4. Do not take either fork but go straight across the road, leaving the BVP. This track looks like a dead end but before reaching a vehicle barrier veer right past a metal fieldgate onto a path between hedges, shown on an old noticeboard as a permissive horse ride. Follow this path for 250m as it runs parallel to a narrow lane (the right fork at the T-junction), curving round to the left.
   • If the permissive horse ride no longer exists you can of course simply walk along the narrow lane.
5. After a gap in the trees on the right there are gates on both sides, with the Three Castles Path? (3CP) joining from the left. Turn right and cross the lane onto the signposted footpath opposite. Go through a metal kissing gate and head N along the left-hand edge of three fields, with more kissing gates between them. In the top left-hand corner of the third field go out through a wooden kissing gate onto Ambarrow Lane.

If you are doing a Direct Walk (omitting Finchampstead), go to §J.

3. Ambarrow Lane to Finchampstead Ridges (1¾ km)
• Turn left onto the lane for a short distance, then veer right onto a footpath going through Coalpit Copse and gently uphill to a wooded ridge. Turn left onto a byway and follow this down to the south-eastern corner of Finchampstead Ridges. Take any route up through this woodland to a viewpoint near its north-eastern corner.
1. Turn left onto the lane, leaving the 3CP. In 150m, as it curves left, go past a private drive on the right and then immediately turn right past a metal fieldgate onto a broad track through a wood, signposted as a public footpath. After briefly going gently downhill the track starts to climb steadily. In 200m ignore a fieldgate ahead and follow the path up to the right, along the edge of the wood.
2. In a further 250m the path bends left, now with pasture on both sides. It then enters a wood where you have to follow the right of way up a potentially awkward sunken gully, as a new wooden fence blocks easier side routes. At the top of a short climb the path swings round to the left and continues along the top of a wooded slope.
3. In 250m the path comes to a T-junction with a byway where you turn left. Follow this track gently downhill for 400m as it as winds its way through the wood, later passing a few houses on the left. Where the track turns sharply left, just after “Rorke's Drift”, bear right past a wooden barrier into the south-eastern corner of Finchampstead Ridges.

There are many paths through this National Trust woodland and you might like to explore it more fully. If you deviate from the route suggested here, climb to the top of the ridge and turn right to head for its north-eastern corner, by the entrance to a house called “Edge of the Hill”. If you do this, resume the directions at [?] in §D.

4. For the suggested route, turn left inside the NT woodland. Ignore the muddy bridleway running along the southern edge of the wood but take the path to its right, going gently downhill and heading NW. After a short piece of boardwalk across a boggy area you come to a wooden bench and turn right onto a narrow path, the start of a steady climb to the top of this wooded ridge.
5. In 150m keep ahead (slightly to the left) at a crosspaths to go more steeply uphill on a broad path. At the top you come to a grove of pine trees with a couple of wooden benches and a fine view back over the Blackwater Valley to the Hampshire hills beyond.
4. Finchampstead Ridges to Heath Pond (1¼ • 2 km)
• Leave the woodland in its north-eastern corner, head east briefly along the B3348 and turn left onto a byway into Simon's Wood. Keep ahead at a path crossing, then veer left onto a path leading to the southern tip of Heath Pond. Go around the lake to its north-eastern corner, with an optional extension around Brook's Heath.
1. From the viewpoint, head N (away from the view) towards a road, but in 40m veer right past a gnarled oak tree onto a grassy path through some heather and gorse, gradually approaching the road off to the left. The path comes out onto this road (the B3348) at a bend, by the entrance to a house called “Edge of the Hill” and with a striking view down Wellingtonia Avenue?.
2. Cross the road carefully and turn right to walk along the pavement. In 50m turn left off the road onto a signposted byway, with a NT sign for Simon's Wood. Go past the entrance to two large properties and continue on a track downhill through the wood. After it levels out keep ahead at a major path crossing, now with a more open area on your left. In a further 80m veer left onto a narrow path across this heathland.
3. In 100m cross a wooden footbridge over a stream at the southern tip of Heath Pond and veer right to go along its edge. At its north-western corner turn right onto a long straight bridleway known as the Devil's Highway?. Unless you want to do the short extension below (an anti-clockwise circuit of Brook's Heath), go along the northern edge of the lake to a path crossing at the next corner.

4. Optional extension (+¾ km)

1. For the extension immediately turn left off the bridleway onto a woodland path, heading N away from the lake. In 100m there is a stretch of boardwalk and the path curves round to the left. Ignore some narrow paths off to the right to emerge into the corner of Brook's Heath.
2. Follow the meandering sandy path near the heathland edge, soon with some garden fences visible off to the right. After briefly going alongside one of these chainlink fences the path bears left away from the boundary, then turns left again to head S.
3. Follow the path back to the Devil's Highway and turn left. Ignore side paths to return to the north-western corner of Heath Pond and go along its northern edge to a path crossing at the next corner.

Continue the directions at §F.

5. Crowthorne Station to Heath Pond (1¾ • 2¼ km)
• Go along the B3348 to a roundabout and take the byway (Heath Ride) heading north-west. In 700m turn half-left at a path crossing onto a long straight bridleway known as the Devil's Highway to come to the north-eastern corner of Heath Pond. The suggested route is to make a complete anti-clockwise circuit of the lake, with an optional extension around the small patch of heathland beyond it.

1. Arriving from Guildford/Blackwater

1. Leave the platform near the front of the train. Go up the station's approach road and turn left onto the B3348 (Duke's Ride).

2. Arriving from Reading/Wokingham

1. Leave the platform near the back of the train. Go through a parking area and turn sharp left to go back across the railway bridge on the B3348.
3. Go along the left-hand side of the B3348 to a large roundabout. Carefully cross over both the A321 and the B3348, passing the imposing entrance to Sequoia Field Farm and with a striking view up Wellingtonia Avenue?. From the roundabout take the byway heading NW, signposted as “Unsuitable for motor vehicles”.
4. Follow this long straight track (Heath Ride) for 700m. At the first major path crossing, just after a house called “Heritage”, turn half-left onto a long straight bridleway known as the Devil's Highway?, heading W into Simon's Wood (NT). In 150m you reach a major path crossing at the north-eastern corner of Heath Pond.

The suggested route continues with a 500m anti-clockwise circuit of this triangular lake, with an optional 500m extension around the patch of heathland beyond it. For a short cut you could simply turn right at this path crossing and resume the directions at §F.

5. For the suggested route keep ahead at the path crossing, along the northern edge of the lake. In the next corner turn left onto a path along the water's edge (not the more obvious path rising into the woodland).
6. At the southern tip of the lake follow the path round to the left to cross a wooden footbridge over a stream. Unless you want to do the short extension below (a clockwise circuit of the open heathland on your right), turn left to complete the circuit of the lake by returning to the path crossing at its north-eastern corner.

7. Optional extension (+½ km)

1. After crossing the footbridge veer right onto a sandy path through the heather. In 100m turn half-right onto a broad ride along the edge of the heathland, then in a further 100m turn right at a path crossing onto a track along its southern edge. In the south-western corner of the heathland turn right again.
2. The path meanders along the edge of the heathland, with a short stretch on a boardwalk taking you over some boggy ground. At the far end turn right at a T-junction to return to the footbridge at the tip of Heath Pond. Cross the bridge again and …
6. Heath Pond to the Queen's Oak, Finchampstead (2½ km)
• Head north on the byway from Heath Pond for 100m, then turn half-left onto Heath Ride. Follow this long straight byway for 1 km, then turn left into Wick Hill Lane. Turn right onto a path through a small wood, then head south-west on a footpath across more open country. After crossing the B3016 and going diagonally across a field, turn right onto Church Lane to reach the Queen's Oak pub in Finchampstead.

Older OS maps show a bridleway and footpath linking Heath Pond to Wick Hill Lane off to the west, but the local council maintains that no such right of way exists. The walk route therefore has to take a somewhat less appealing route along byways to the north of the heathland.

1. From the north-eastern corner of Heath Pond take the signposted byway heading N, away from the lake. In 100m turn half-left at an oblique path crossing onto another restricted byway, at first through woodland but soon with a string of detached properties on both sides. Follow this long straight lane (Heath Ride) for 1 km, heading NW.

   At one point you pass the abandoned outbuildings of Brunninghams Farm on the left, no doubt awaiting redevelopment into another grand property.

2. Towards the end of this stretch there is woodland on the left. At the end of a long wooden fence turn left at a junction into Wick Hill Lane, signposted as another restricted byway. In 125m, shortly after passing a residential cul-de-sac on the right, turn right onto what is signposted as the continuation of the byway but is no more than a narrow enclosed path.
3. The path soon bends left and climbs gently. In 200m you go past a cottage onto a lane and almost immediately turn left onto a signposted footpath. Keep right at the entrance to Warren Crest Farm and follow this enclosed path past two fields, then down the left-hand side of a large field to meet the B3016. Cross the road carefully and go over a stile just off to the left into a field, the continuation of the footpath.
   • There is invariably a “Beware of bull” notice here. In the unlikely event that the beast itself is actually present a more circumspect route would be to carry on along the road for 100m and then turn right into Church Lane, passing the exit from the field in a further 300m.
4. If undeterred by the warning notice follow a faint grassy path diagonally across the field to its opposite corner, heading towards the church tower 500m away. Go over a stile in the hedge and turn right onto Church Lane. In 125m you come to the suggested lunch stop on the right, the Queen's Oak? pub.
7. The Queen's Oak to Moor Green Lakes (2 • 2¼ km)
• For the main route, head south-east along Church Lane to the B3348. A little way off to the right, a permissive path lets you cut through a large fruit farm to Lower Sandhurst Road. Turn left onto the road and go along it for 350m to the car park for Moor Green Lakes.
  • Alternatively, take the footpath heading south from the back of the churchyard to Finchampstead's other pub (the Greyhound) at the junction of the B3348 and B3016. Follow Cricket Hill and its continuation (Lower Sandhurst Road) for over 1 km to Moor Green Lakes.

The main route in [?] includes a permissive path through a fruit farm which is closed on January 1 & 2. On these dates, or if you want to visit the Greyhound pub, you will need to take the alternative route in [?]. A link to this route is also given in case you find the permissive path unexpectedly closed.

1. Main route (2 km)

1. At the road junction in front of the pub veer left to go along the left-hand side of a small triangular green, soon passing the churchyard on your right; this is the continuation of Church Lane, which you will be following to the B3348.
   • Alternatively you could detour through the churchyard, looping all the way around St James' church? to come out at another gate further along Church Lane. However, the church itself is usually locked.
2. After leaving the churchyard behind you have a slightly awkward 500m along this winding lane before it goes up a small slope and comes to a T-junction with the B3348. Cross this main road carefully and turn right onto its pavement. In 30m there is a stile on the left into a fruit farm.
   • If notices show that the permissive path through this farm is closed, carry on down the main road for 300m and then fork left into Longwater Road. Go past the Greyhound pub and resume the directions at [?·d] below.
3. For the main route go over the stile to follow a well-waymarked path for 800m through this large farm. You start by bearing right down a broad farm track, with large fields of soft fruit on the left.
4. Keep ahead at path crossings, eventually going past a pond and some large barns on the left. Veer left as indicated to continue with a hedge on your right and a yard in front of the outbuildings on your left.
5. At the next path junction turn right and follow the broad track past a final set of polytunnels. At the end of the farm go over a stile and turn left onto a lane (Lower Sandhurst Road).
6. Go along this quiet lane, passing Dell Road on the left after 200m. In a further 150m (opposite “Blackwater View”) there is a bridleway and footpath signpost on the right, next to a small car park.

2. Alternative route (2¼ km)

1. From the road junction in front of the pub go along the right-hand side of a small triangular green and up a slope towards St James' church?. Go through a gate into the churchyard and follow a path around the church (which is usually locked) to an exit in its south-western corner.
2. Go downhill on an enclosed footpath, ignoring another footpath off to the right after 100m. Later there is a large playing field on the right and the path eventually goes out between garden fences to the B3348.
3. Cross this main road carefully and turn left onto its pavement. At the Y-junction ahead turn right onto the B3016 (Longwater Road) to come to Finchampstead's other pub, the Greyhound.
4. Carry on down Longwater Road for a further 100m and turn left at a crossroads into Cricket Hill, with houses on the right and later fields on the left. In 300m it swings left and becomes Lower Sandhurst Road; you have a further 750m of road walking, but there is a grass verge and not much traffic.
5. Shortly after a slight right-hand bend the main route joins from a stile on the left and 200m later you pass Dell Road. …
8. Moor Green Lakes to Horseshoe Lake (1¾ km)
• Take the footpath at the back of the car park (or the bridleway running alongside it) along the western side of the nature reserve. At the end turn left onto the Blackwater Valley Path (BVP) and follow it for 1 km to the south-western corner of Horseshoe Lake.

The bridleway and footpath run side by side all the way to the River Blackwater. The bridleway starts at the road and has views off to the right (where gravel extraction might still be taking place in the distance); the footpath starts from the back of the car park and has better views across some attractive lakes.

1. The suggested route is to go through the car park for Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve? onto the footpath, but there are several places further on where you can switch between the two paths. You soon come to the first of the reserve lakes on your left, Colebrook Lake North, with a viewing hide (for members only) at the far end.
2. The two paths merge briefly to cross a backwater on a wooden footbridge and you have the same choice of paths alongside Colebrook Lake South. At the end of this lake the two paths meet the Blackwater Valley Path? (BVP) in front of the river. Turn left onto either the footpath or the bridleway, separated by a hedge.
3. In 100m you need to keep left by an information panel for the nature reserve, staying on the BVP and also joining the Three Castles Path? (3CP) from the bridleway across the footbridge. You now simply follow the broad riverside path for 1 km, at first alongside Colebrook Lake South and then Grove Lake, with periodic gaps in the undergrowth giving views across the water.
4. Towards the end of this attractive stretch there is a wooden viewing screen looking across to Grove Lake Island. In a further 250m there are several gates on the left: one leading to another viewing hide, then a wooden kissing gate leading onto a path with a sign for Horseshoe Lake?.

If you are doing a Reverse Walk to Sandhurst or Blackwater, go to §N.

9. Horseshoe Lake to Ambarrow Lane (1 km)
• Take the perimeter path around the western and northern sides of Horseshoe Lake. At its north-eastern corner go out through a gate on the left, cross a lane and take the footpath opposite along field edges to Ambarrow Lane.
1. Turn left through the kissing gate onto the fenced path around Horseshoe Lake, leaving the BVP and initially heading N. Stay on the perimeter path as it curves round to the right at the north-western corner of the lake, ignoring paths off to the left. After going along its northern edge and passing its horseshoe-shaped island you come to a sharp right-hand bend at the north-eastern corner of the lake.

   If you started from Blackwater or Sandhurst you now repeat a short stretch of your outward route.

2. Turn left off the perimeter path at this bend, going through several gates and across a …
10. Ambarrow Lane to Crowthorne Station (1¾ km)
• Turn right and keep ahead on a footpath heading east to the A321. Cross this main road into the car park for Ambarrow Court Local Nature Reserve. Take any route around (or over) Ambarrow Hill to the north-eastern corner of the reserve and cross the railway tracks on a road bridge. On the far side turn left onto a footpath running alongside the railway to Crowthorne station.
  • If finishing here, trains to Blackwater and Guildford leave from this side; cross the road bridge for trains to Wokingham and Reading.
1. Turn right briefly onto the lane but almost immediately go straight ahead on a signposted footpath where the lane bends left. Follow the fenced path for 250m to the A321. Take care as you cross this busy main road into the car park for Ambarrow Court Local Nature Reserve?.

   If you are not in a hurry you could follow one or both of the two short trails shown on the information panel at the back of the car park: a loop around the grounds of Ambarrow Court to the right and/or Ambarrow Hill to the left.

2. For the suggested route take the tarmac driveway from the back of the car park. In 50m bear right onto a cinder path which leads to a small picnic area with an information panel about the history of Ambarrow Court?. Follow the path round to the left to briefly rejoin the driveway, heading away from the car park.
3. After going round a right-hand bend turn left onto a short path through the trees, joining the NT's Ambarrow Hill Circuit (with a red arrow on a waymarker post). Keep ahead at a three-way footpath signpost on the shoulder of Ambarrow Hill.

   At the end of 2019 Network Rail closed the nearby pedestrian crossing over the railway line and the right of way has been permanently diverted to use a bridge 350m ahead. Unlike many other such closures, this is actually an improvement on the previous route.

4. Follow a clear woodland path heading N, roughly parallel to the railway off to your right and climbing gently to a small ridge. Unless you want to compensate for the lack of Munros on this walk by tackling the south face of Ambarrow Hill?, keep ahead down the other side of the ridge to go along the side of the hill.
   • There is a nicely-decorated bench at the top of this conical hill, though not much of a view through the pine trees. A less precipitous descent down a flight of log steps on its north side and a right fork halfway down would lead you to the railway bridge.
5. On the main route the path forks after passing the hill. Ignore the red arrow pointing left and go straight ahead on a slightly raised path to come to an unsurfaced roadway at the northern end of the nature reserve. Turn right and cross the railway line on a road bridge, negotiating vehicle barriers at both ends.
6. The roadway leads to a back entrance into Wellington College? grounds but before reaching it turn sharp left at a footpath signpost to double back towards the railway, leaving the 3CP. Follow the path round to the right to continue between the railway and college grounds for 600m. At the far end go through a small housing development and out through a pedestrian side gate. Crowthorne station is on your left.

7. Finishing at Crowthorne Station

1. There is not much in the way of refreshments at the end of the Short Walk, apart from a convenience store in the parade of shops off to the right on the road ahead. The Good Food Deli is 100m away in the next group of shops (just beyond Ravenswood Avenue), but is usually closed on weekend afternoons.
2. Trains to Blackwater and Guildford leave from Platform 1 on this side. For trains to Wokingham and Reading you need to cross the railway on the road bridge and go down steps on the left to Platform 2.
11. Crowthorne Station to Nine Mile Ride (3 km)
• Head east briefly on Duke's Ride, then turn left into Ravenswood Avenue. At the end keep ahead on a footpath across East Berkshire Golf Course, curving round to the right. On the far side ignore a footpath on the left, but 100m before coming out onto New Wokingham Road take an unsigned path on the left through a housing estate to Heathlake Nature Reserve. Head west and then north to go around two sides of the lake, then turn right onto a path leading to the north-eastern corner of the reserve.
1. To continue the Main Walk turn right onto Duke's Ride, passing a convenience store on the left. At the end of a small parade of shops turn left into Ravenswood Avenue (unless you want to visit the Good Food Deli, in the next parade of shops). At the end of this residential street keep ahead on a right of way through the car park for East Berkshire Golf Club.
2. Follow the tarmac driveway across the golf course, taking heed of the prominent warning notices before each of the fairways you have to cross. The path gradually bends right. On the far side turn right as indicated to continue on a tree-lined path on the edge of the course, heading E.
3. Follow the footpath for a further 800m, ignoring paths off and later going between hedges with housing estates on both sides. 100m before this long straight path comes out onto a road, turn left onto a narrow unsignposted path between garden fences. At the end go straight across a residential street (Merryman Drive) to continue between houses on a grassy strip.
4. At the end of the houses follow the path round to the left in front of a wood, merging with another path from the right. The path soon swings right and goes past a wooden noticeboard for Heathlake Nature Reserve and an electricity substation to come to the south-eastern corner of Heath Lake.
5. You will be leaving the nature reserve in its far right-hand corner, but for the best views of the lake turn left (away from a wooden footbridge) to head W through the pine trees alongside the southern edge of the lake. At the next corner turn right to head N along its western edge.
6. At its north-western corner turn right again (by Floss's Bench) onto a path which gradually moves away from the lake, heading ENE. The woodland path becomes less distinct but essentially you need to maintain direction for 400m to the north-eastern corner of the reserve where there is an exit onto a roundabout, the junction of New Wokingham Road with the B3430 (Nine Mile Ride).
   • If you stray too far to the left there is a clear path along the northern edge of the reserve (parallel to the B3430) which also leads to this exit.
12. Nine Mile Ride to Langborough Recreation Ground (3½ km)
• Go across the B3430 at a roundabout onto a byway (Hatch Ride). Follow this across Heathlands Road and into Gorrick Plantation. At a path crossing turn right onto a footpath and follow it out of the wood, then through Heathlands Farm and past Ludgrove School. Cross the railway on a footbridge and turn left onto Gipsy Lane to come to Langborough Recreation Ground on the outskirts of Wokingham.
1. The continuation of the walk is an inconspicuous byway on the far side of the roundabout, so you will need to cross some fairly busy roads carefully. From the ‘proper’ exit it is best to go straight across New Wokingham Road, turn left and then cross Nine Mile Ride; the byway is an unsignposted gap in the trees between the roundabout and a minor road (Honey Hill).
   • If you have come out directly onto Nine Mile Ride from a different exit, then cross this road carefully and turn right onto a tarmac path; the byway is just past the roundabout.
2. On the byway you soon have to skirt around a small mound acting as a vehicle barrier but it then becomes a broad straight track through woodland, heading WNW. In 400m keep ahead on a tarmac lane, passing the entrance gates to Heathland Riding Establishment on your left. At the end of this lane go straight across Heathlands Road onto the continuation of the byway, entering Gorrick Plantation.
3. Follow this straight track for 500m, ignoring paths off. At a major path crossing (with a vehicle barrier across the broad ride to the left) turn right onto a footpath, heading ENE. In 200m a stretch of boardwalk takes you across a boggy patch and you emerge from the wood on the edge of a large soft fruit farm.
4. The right of way goes straight through the middle of this farm, on a broad track between rows of polytunnels slightly to the left of your previous direction. At the second major path crossing there is an information panel for Heathlands Farm, promoting its biodiversity features. After a further 200m on a grassy path between wooden fences you leave the farm via a gap in the fence ahead.
5. Maintain direction on a tree-lined path, with another fruit farm on the right and later a school playing field on the left. In 300m, where the path ahead is blocked by a metal fieldgate leading into the school grounds, veer left as indicated to continue on a narrow path alongside the boundary of Ludgrove School?.
6. In 300m go through a wooden gate and straight across the school driveway onto the continuation of the footpath. In 500m cross the Reading-Ascot railway line on a footbridge and follow the path out between houses. Turn left briefly onto a narrow lane, then bear right onto a tarmac path running along the right-hand side of a recreation ground on the outskirts of Wokingham.
13. The Recreation Ground to Wokingham Station (1½ km)
• Go along the right-hand side of the recreation ground. At the far end go straight across Langborough Road into Howard Road. Where this bends left, keep ahead on an alleyway (Luckley Path). Cut through Howard Palmer Gardens on the left and go across a car park to Market Place in the centre of Wokingham. For a choice of cafés with outdoor seating, go through an alleyway off Peach Street or Broad Street into Peach Place. Return to Broad Street via Rose Street and turn right. Keep left at the junction with Rectory Road, then turn left into Station Road for the station.
  
1. At the end of the tree-lined path bear right onto Fairview Road. At a junction go straight across a residential street onto the narrow lane opposite (Howard Road). Where this turns half-left, keep ahead on an alleyway. In 150m turn left into Howard Palmer Gardens.
2. Follow the path through these small gardens, curving to the right. On the far side go straight across a car park to continue on another alleyway, signposted as a footpath. This leads into Denmark Street, with Wokingham Town Hall? opposite in the town's Market Place.
3. There are several pubs and coffee shops nearby. For a pleasant spot with outdoor seating off the main streets, turn right and go along the road for 125m, which becomes Peach Street after leaving the square. Just past Caffè Nero turn left into a short passageway leading into Peach Place, with a choice of refreshment places.
4. The station is just under 1 km away. For a straightforward route passing several pubs, leave Peach Place in its north-western corner and turn left onto the historic Rose Street?, lined with attractive old houses. At the end turn right onto Broad Street, heading NW away from Market Place. You will be taking the left fork at the road junction 150m ahead, so cross over carefully where possible.
5. At the junction you pass the prominent Tudor House?. At the next junction fork left into Station Road, with the attractive Queens Head pub on a terrace off to the right and the Hope & Anchor opposite. In 250m you pass the Station Tap and turn right into Station Approach.
   • The unusual railway footbridge? alongside the level crossing is worth a closer look.
6. There is a Café Destino in the station building. Direct trains to London Waterloo (and trains to Blackwater and Guildford along the Blackwater Valley line) leave from Platform 1. For trains to Reading, cross the footbridge to Platform 2.
   
14. Horseshoe Lake to Sandhurst Station • Yorktown Road (2½ km)
• Continue along the BVP, with Horseshoe Lake on the left. Just before reaching Mill Lane, turn left onto a path leading to a small car park. Go through it and turn left onto Mill Lane. In 100m turn right to go along Lower Church Road. Just before this road comes to the A321, veer right through Lych Gate Close to meet the main road at its junction with Yateley Road. Head east along the A321 to Sandhurst station.
  • If finishing here, go up the ramp on this side of the bridge for trains to Wokingham and Reading, or the other one for trains to Blackwater and Guildford.
1. Ignore the kissing gate and continue along the riverside path for a further 600m. Just before reaching a gate leading out to a road, turn left through a wooden gate onto a path leading to a car park. At the far end turn right to go out to Mill Lane and turn left onto the road. In 100m turn right into Lower Church Road and go along this long straight road for 600m.
2. Shortly after passing St Michael's church up on the left, and where the road bends slightly left, turn right into Lych Gate Close. Follow this round to the left, past Belfry Mews and then bear right along a short cul-de-sac to a road junction. Cross Yateley Road carefully and head E along the right-hand pavement of the A321.
3. After the road has swerved right and left you pass a couple of possible tea stops on the right: the Rose & Crown pub and then the Old Mill Coffee Shop & Cafe in a small parade of shops. Later the A321 swings left and right under the railway bridge (where there are ramps on both sides leading up to the platforms of Sandhurst station) and becomes Yorktown Road.

4. Finishing at Sandhurst Station

1. Another refreshment place if finishing here is the Village Inn, 125m beyond the railway bridge on the other side of a mini-roundabout.
2. There is no footbridge linking the two platforms. For trains to Wokingham and Reading, go up the ramp on the Rose & Crown side of the bridge to Platform 2. For trains to Blackwater and Guildford, go up the ramp on the Village Inn side to Platform 1.
15. Yorktown Road to Blackwater Station (3 km)
• Continue along the A321 and then cut through Sandhurst Memorial Park to Shepherd Meadows Nature Reserve. Follow the riverside path all the way to Blackwater.
1. To finish at Blackwater carry on along Yorktown Road, soon passing the Village Inn at a mini-roundabout. You have a further 600m through the town before you pass a petrol station and turn right into Sandhurst Memorial Park. The final refreshment place along the route is the park café here, Pistachios in the Park.
2. The walk continues on the tarmac path heading E past a skateboard area. Bear right in front of the Council Offices (where there are public toilets) onto a broad surfaced path alongside a water channel, leading to the park's “Balancing Pond”. Keep right to go around its edge, soon passing an information panel about it.
3. Just before the pond's outflow veer right down the slope on a broad track signposted to Shepherd Meadows. At a path crossing keep ahead to cross the River Blackwater on a footbridge, the start of a pleasant riverside path through Shepherd Meadows Nature Reserve?.
   • You could also take the path across the outflow on the left, which goes through the meadows on the other side of the river. If you do this, cross the river at the next footbridge, 500m ahead.
4. After the second footbridge the riverside path briefly splits and you can take either fork; they rejoin 150m later. In a further 400m the path swings left and a footbridge takes you over the river onto the other bank. Unless you want to divert through a meadow on the left, follow the riverside path all the way to a busy road junction.
   • The alternative route through the meadow (a gentle arc round to the right on a clear grassy path) is not much longer and swings back to rejoin the riverside path just before the exit.
5. At the junction follow the roadside path round to the right, crossing over the river. Blackwater station is down to the right, with trains to Guildford and Redhill leaving from Platform 1 on this side. For trains to Wokingham and Reading, stay on the road and go down steps on the other side of the railway bridge to Platform 2.
   • The nearest refreshment places (some fast food shops and a couple of nondescript pubs) are in the parade of shops beyond the railway bridge. There is also an M&S Café in the Meadows Shopping Centre on the other side of the A321, but this is more awkward to reach.
Walk Notes

1. Shepherd Meadows Nature Reserve consists of wildflower meadows and woodland alongside the River Blackwater. It is named after the wildlife artist David Shepherd.
2. The Blackwater Valley Path runs for 37 km, from the river's source near Aldershot in Surrey to Swallowfield in Hampshire, just beyond where the river merges with the Whitewater to become the Broadwater.
3. The Three Castles Path runs for 98 km between Winchester Great Hall (the only surviving part of the town's castle) and Windsor Castle; the third castle is Odiham, whose ruins are passed on Walk #84. The route is based on the 13^thC journeys made by King John at the time of Magna Carta.
4. The giant redwood trees along Wellingtonia Avenue were planted in the 1860s as a tribute to the Duke of Wellington, who had died in 1852 shortly before Sequoiadendron giganteum was discovered in the Sierra Nevada.
5. The Devil's Highway was the name given by Britons to the Roman Road between London and Silchester (Calleva). There are many dead-straight roads and tracks in the area, but surprisingly few are actually shown on the map as Roman Roads.
6. The Queen's Oak claims to be the only pub in the country with this name. An ivied plaque on the green commemorates the planting of an oak tree in 1887, the 50^th year of Queen Victoria's reign. Another oak tree was planted in 2002 for Queen ElizabethⅡ's Golden Jubilee.
7. St James, Finchampstead dates from the 12^thC and retains many of its Norman features, including a semi-circular apse. The brick tower was added in 1720.
8. Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve supports a wide range of wildlife. The viewing hides are only open to members but there are several places where you can get good views from the perimeter path. The reserve is due to be extended to include the flooded gravel pits to the west.
9. Horseshoe Lake is used for sailing and similar activities. Its name comes from the shape of its small island.
10. Ambarrow Court Local Nature Reserve consists of two merged areas: Ambarrow Court (the site of the old manor house) and Ambarrow Hill (NT). Bracknell District Council acquired the former site in 1985 and the LNR was opened in 2002.
11. Ambarrow Court was a country residence built in 1885. It was bought by the MoD in 1940 and used as a radio research centre, but fell into disuse after WWⅡ and was demolished in the 1970s.
12. Ambarrow Hill is thought to be man-made but archaeologists have been unable to establish its purpose.
13. Wellington College grounds are open to the “Friends of Wellington College” but not to the general public. The college itself is 750m away and not visible from the public footpath.
14. Ludgrove School is an independent preparatory boarding school for boys aged 8-13. The royal princes (William and Harry) attended the school in the 1990s.
15. Wokingham Town Hall was built in 1860, in Gothic revival style. It originally combined the function of town hall and county police station, and included a courtroom and gaol. It is listed GradeⅡ*.
16. Rose Street is an example of a medieval enclosed street, narrow at both ends (one has since been widened) to allow fairs, markets and other commercial activities to be contained within it. It has retained many timber-framed houses, some dating back to the 14^thC.
17. Tudor House is the best surviving 16^thC building in the town, although the striking timber-framed façade is not original: it was added in the 1920s. Several houses appear to have been joined together in phases to form the present structure.
18. The railway footbridge south of Wokingham station was constructed in 1886 out of old rails and sleepers, an innovative design which has been listed GradeⅡ. There had been several accidents to pedestrians on the level crossing and this footbridge was put together by enterprising navvies.

» Last updated: October 4, 2020

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