Whether you’re local to the area or have decided to venture out for a change of scene, the Berkshire countryside provides no shortage of beautiful sites for the perfect winter stroll. Long walks, short walks, there are acres of land for you and your dog to explore. If you don’t know… get to know our four favourite dog walking locations in Berkshire.
Simon’s Wood Centenary Trail
Surrounded by tall trees and defined paths all year round, Simon’s Wood is a hidden gem based in Finchhampstead, Berkshire. Managed and maintained by the National Trust, the mixture of broadleaf woodland, pine forest and open heathland provides a very picturesque setting.
We recommend the Centenary Trail which takes around 40 minutes. It’s well signposted and just under a mile and half. If your pooch fancies a swim (and you come prepped with towels for a wet dog entering the car) then this is the place to be! The lake at Simon’s Wood makes it one of our most recommended locations.
Basildon Park
Situated 2 miles south of Goring-on-Thames and Streatley in Berkshire, between the villages of Upper Basildon and Lower Basildon, Basildon Park is another National Trust treasure. It’s fantastic for a long walk around the Country House’s beautiful grounds. The history of the house itself is a fascinating one, evolving from East India Company fortunes and wartime assistance, to 1950s glitz and glamour.
Dogs on leads are welcome in the garden and parkland areas all year round from 10am-dusk. A key aspect of any long walk is the ability to grab a hot drink for the way… you’re in luck! You can grab a coffee and a traditional cream tea from the tea-room inside of the house, or the ‘Toolshed Kisok’ situated in the stableyard. If cream tea isn’t your thing, the seasonal menu offered is sure to have something else that will tempt you…
During these unprecedented times, Basildon Park is encouraging you to book online through their advanced booking system to avoid disappointment upon entering the park… especially during busier times on weekends and bank holidays!
Windsor Great Park
Windsor Great Park welcomes nearly five million visitors every year and we can totally see why…. the ancient forests, the famous monuments and the rare wildlife… you are reminded of how beautiful nature is when you step foot in these well-kept grounds.
Since 1066 when William the Conquerer arrived, this park has been home of the British Monarchy. It’s a delightful and distinguished destination for a stroll, as the park offers 4,800 acres of land for your dog to run around in and socialise with hundreds of other pooches. In a few areas which are signposted, dogs must be kept on leads, but for the majority of the land available pooches are free to run wild!
With a great park comes a great… pub? Right? The Bailiwick Pub is a dog-friendly facility which sits at the entrance to the Park. They even offer dog treats and water bowls so your pooch is entertained whilst you’re sipping on a well-deserved mulled wine.
Lily Hill Park
Offering a network of paths through the 23 hectacres of parkland, woodland and formal gardens, Lily Hill Park is a hidden gem not far from the centre of Bracknell town. This is the perfect location to explore as you are crossed with an Edwardian water garden, a green man sculpture, bullfinches, tree creepers, ragged robin flowers, England’s LONGEST picnic bench carved on a single piece of wood and the list goes on! This tends to be a popular location for photography, so don’t forget your camera if you want to capture the sights.
The park is actually well known for dogs as it is a popular spot for dog walkers to gather and have picnics together (if the dogs don’t attack the food…). The Park even held its own ‘Pug Picnic’ charity event in 2017, featuring an agility course and an array of dog-friendly activities to keep the pooches (and their owners) socialising.
There is no better feeling after a long walk than snuggling up on the sofa, fire on, a film on the tele and a hot chocolate in hand. So get your walking boots on and try out these locations. Let us know what you think… we’d love to hear from you! If you’re on Instagram, tag @thewoofretreat in your photos and we’ll be sure to re-post them.
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