West Berkshire - more info
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Thatcham |
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You can get stuff on the lakes but the "best" bit is the reed bed - once the largest in southern England. On the map I've marked the "reed bed walk" in brown. You can park at the Discovery Centre or down the single track and at a place nearer the hide. A deposit at the Centre gets you the key to the hide. Definitely worth it. You can, by arrangement, get it the evening before if you want an early morning visit. |
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Lower Farm |
Lower Farm GP doesn't appear on the web OS map but can't be missed from the car park. Check out the "Trout lake" which you pass just before the car park for Lower Farm. If you like you can walk up the road to Bowdown Wood [good for Marsh tit] Stephen Graham has written a comprehensive guide to this site. NDOC ask visitors to sign the log book to help protect the site from future/further development! |
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Greenham Common
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There are car parks at either end of the old airfield now Greenham & Crookham commons. A walk around and across the runway will take a couple of hours. Marvel at the nuclear bunkers! Stephen Graham has a detailed guide to the site.
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Combe Wood Combe Gibbet |
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Combe wood is famous for being the most reliable Berkshire site for Willow tit. Marsh tit are also present. Buzzard are likely to be overhead and there is the chance of Raven (again about the best chance in Berkshire!). There's a car park here as a base for a good walk over Walbury & Inkpen hills. During passage a good bet. Stephen Graham's guide to this area is a good read. |
