Twyford Walks
This large Berkshire based village has some pleasant waterside walks along its Rivers and Lakes.
This circular walk explores the Loddon Nature Reserve and the Charvil Country Park. These sites are both located on the western side of the village and have good footpaths taking you around a series of lakes and pools. There's also trails along the River Loddon with lots of wildlife to look out for on the way. The area is particularly good for wildfowl with gadwall, tufted duck, pochard and snipe to see on the water.
The walk starts from the Wagon and Horses pub at the northern end of the reserve. It's located a short walk west from Twyford Train Station. From here you can pick up footpaths heading south along the river and the lakes which are formed from flooded gravel pits.
Continue south to Copper Bridge and you can then turn around and follow footpaths north through Charvil Country Park. At the northern end of the park you'll also find Charvil Water Meadows which is another nature reserve on the London floodplain.
Postcode
RG10 9AJ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsTwyford Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map
Twyford Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map
Twyford OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Twyford Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Waggon & Horses is located at the start of the walk. They have a good sized garden area where you can sit oustide in finer weather. There's also a decent menu and a particularly fine Sunday roast here. The address is 61 High Street with a postcode of RG10 9AJ for your sat navs.
The Duke of Wellington is the oldest pub in the village, dating back to 1450. There's a charming old interior with exposed beams and another large garden here. You can find them on the High Street at postcode RG10 9AG.
Dog Walking
The area makes for a pleasant dog walk though you are asked to keep them on leads in the nature reserve area. The Waggon & Horses mentioned above is dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head west of the village and you'll soon come to the River Thames at Sonning. Here you can pick up the Thames Path National Trail and enjoy an easy riverside stroll into Reading and Caversham where you can visit the delightful Caversham Court Gardens. Here you can also pick up the Reading Canal Walk which will take you along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal. You can also join with the Reading Circular River Walk here too.
Follow the river south for about a mile and you will come to Dinton Pastures Country Park. The park has a number of trails around a series of pretty lakes.
Just to the north there's the worthy village of Wargrave. It's well worth a visit with a historic high street with many old listed buildings, a picturesque marina, a 12th century church and a very fine riverside pub where you can relax with a view of the river.
The Knowl Hill Bridleway can be picked up in Twyford. The circular cycling and walking route explores the area around Knowl Hill, with some fine views from the high points.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Berkshire Walks page.