Berkshire

River Valleys, Countryside, Woodlands, and Historic Routes

From the Thames Valley and the Berkshire Downs to woodland, heathland, and historic market towns, Berkshire contains a diverse network of routes, landscapes, and places shaped by rivers, agriculture, and centuries of movement through the land. Trails such as the Thames Path, Ridgeway National Trail, and sections of the Wayfarer's Walk reveal many of these environments, while landscapes including the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, Thames Valley, Windsor Great Park, and the Berkshire Downs showcase some of the county's most distinctive natural environments.

Long-distance routes pass through countryside, river corridors, woodland, farmland, hills, and historic settlements, linking places that have shaped the character of Berkshire for generations. Together, these routes and landscapes reveal the character of the county while providing opportunities to explore at a slower pace through self-guided travel and independent exploration.

Featured

Trails

Thames Path

National Trail following the River Thames from its source near Kemble to the Thames Barrier, linking meadows, historic towns, parkland, riverside communities, and London landmarks.

Ridgeway

National Trail following ancient chalk routes between Avebury and Ivinghoe Beacon, linking downland, prehistoric monuments, open ridges, and historic landscapes across southern England.

Landscapes

North Wessex Downs National Landscape

Chalk downs, ancient trackways, prehistoric landmarks, and routes including The Ridgeway, Wayfarer's Walk, Thames Path, and St Swithun's Way.