Walks from Bracknell

A rural route on a mixture of footpaths, byways, bridleways and quiet country lanes, with gates but no steps. It skirts Bracknell via parks and an underpass, runs through woodland and across fields and finishes through Braywick Park Nature Reserve. Footpaths through woods can be narrow and lined with thorny bushes. Passes Frost Folly wildlife park and Braywick Park Nature Reserve. The route lacks a pub at its mid-point, but there are pubs in Warfield and Holyport.

Time: 4h–8h30

Lunch: Two pubs off the attractive Holyport village green.

Warnings: A short stretch of fast-traffic road (Drift Road) with uneven grass verges, though the route turns off it quickly. Narrow woodland paths with thorny bushes — a jacket helps. Few benches outside the towns.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A direct route mainly on pleasant, wide, traffic-free wooded tracks and heathland through Swinley Forest and the MOD training area and with pavements in the urban sections at each end. The forest tracks are gravel and can be muddy with areas of waterlogging; no stairs. Passes close to the Bronze Age barrow at Bill Hill and the Lookout Discovery Centre and South Hill Park Arts Centre (both with cafés and toilets). Small detours possible to Caesar's Camp Iron Age hill fort and Surrey Heath Museum.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Lunch: Cafés and toilets at the Lookout Discovery Centre and South Hill Park Arts Centre near the route; town-centre shops and cafés at both ends.

Warnings: The central forest section can be muddy with areas of waterlogging.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A largely off-road walk across Berkshire farmland, using town green spaces, byways, country lanes and field paths, with several stretches of unavoidable road walking. The field and woodland paths can be narrow and uneven and very muddy after rain.

Time: 4h–7h30

2 lunch spots: the Shurlock Inn, or the Stag and Hounds

Warnings: Mud is a real problem here, even after dry spells. Some road and verge walking is unavoidable, including a stretch alongside Maidenhead Road if the private Billingbear Park crossings are blocked. Footpaths can be narrow and lined with thorny bushes.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A very urban and direct route that stays north of the railway, with a lot of walking alongside major roads but with pavements throughout and easy major crossings. Some relief via Luckley Path, Beehive Lane and a recreation area and plus a nicer footpath approaching Bracknell.

Time: 2h–4h

Lunch: A number of pubs on the main roads; public toilets and plenty of coffee and food options in Wokingham.

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk. A quarter urban. Follows busy roads in both Bracknell and Wokingham for significant distances, including a long walk alongside the London Road and a crossing of the A329.

Walk details: Slow Ways.