Best walks in Berkshire to enjoy this Autumn season

Sunglasses and ice cream have been swapped out for beanie hats and pumpkin spice lattes meaning we have left the long summery nights well and truly behind. 

As the nights start to draw in, we can also start to enjoy the leaves changing colour and take in some of the best countryside walks that Berkshire has to offer.

Here is a list of just some of those routes that should help you get out exploring what is on your doorstep.

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Best walks in Berkshire to enjoy this Autumn

Streatley Meadows and Woodlands

See the seasons change up close by exploring the meadows and woodland of Streatley.

The moderate and dog-friendly routes range from 2.9 - 3.8 miles long and feature soft footpaths and gravel tracks with some short stretches on village roads in Streatley.

Walkers can enjoy the sights of Lardon Chase, the Holies and Lough Down which are three adjacent National Trust countryside properties that overlook the Goring Gap.

You can find out more about the walking route by visiting the National Trust website.

The Thames Path from Windsor to Runnymede

Get out and enjoy the highlights of Autumn by taking to some of the Thames Path.

The circular route which starts and ends with a panoramic view of Windsor Castle is approximately 11.5 miles long. 

There is plenty to see and learn about on this route which features the Thames Pathway, the famous JFK memorial and the Magna Carta monument in Runnymede.

Discover more about this walk by visiting the Dorchester Collection website.

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Donnington Castle and Snelsmore Common Circular

Venture into the fresh air for this moderate and naturally beautiful route, just outside Newbury.

The 3.6-mile loop trail takes about an hour and a half to complete and is open all year round to hikers, runners and dogs too.

On top of the Autumnal landscape, the route explores the ruins of the medieval 14th century Donnington Castle as well as the surrounding woodland and the paths by Snelsmore Common.

Find out more via the All Trails website.

Reading Circular River Walk

Take yourself, your friends or your family for a riverside walk and welcome the arrival of Autumn in the right way.

The three-mile circular route will take you around Reading and its two rivers - the Thames and the Kennet. 

The flat and easy-to-walk trail starts outside of Reading Town Hall on Blagrave Street and will take you over a long bridge on the Kennet and Avon Canal as it leads you into the Forbury Gardens. 

There are two museums that you can visit along the route but you should be advised that they aren't accessible for dogs.

Learn more about the walking route by visiting the Canal River Trust website.

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Dinton Pastures Country Park

Located in the heart of Wokingham, this 350-acre country park has been described as an "oasis of woodland, meadow, and lakes".

Once you've uncovered the delights of the various ponds, rivers, and streams, there are plenty of facilities to help you make a day of it.

The country park encompasses a playpark, public toilets and changing facilities as well as a locker and mobility scooter hire.

Walkers will also find a café where they can purchase refreshments as well as the Dinton Activity Centre.

Plan your visit on the Wokingham Countryside website.

When does Autumn 2022 start? What is the Autumn Equinox?

Autumn occurs when we reach the autumn equinox.

The autumn equinox occurs in September every year, and it is the mark of summer ending in the northern hemisphere.

As the earth orbits the sun, it is tilted on an axis which means that as it orbits it illuminates the northern or southern hemisphere differently, depending on where it is in orbit.

However, at two points in the year, the sun will illuminate both hemispheres equally – these are the autumn and spring equinoxes.

In 2022, the UK Autumn equinox occurs on Friday, September 23 at 2:03am, signalling the end of summer and the start of a new season.

Find out more about this year's Autumn Equinox.