The best hikes from bus stations around Wokingham

Approaching Coombes Lane from the east, the light begins to change. The shadows stretch too long, too early. The gravel beneath your wheels seems to hum—low, nearly imperceptible, like a pressure change behind your ears. Some say it’s just the trees. Others claim it’s a localized temporal anomaly, like brushing the edge of a vortex or slipping sideways through time. Either way, once you cross the threshold, things feel different. This junction once marked part of the old Bearwood estate. Before the event, “Bearwood” might’ve referred to ancient bear hunts across the land. Now it seems to describe the path itself—bare, worn, and faintly haunted by old instincts. Stripped-back gravel flows down the sandy track, smooth enough for fast two-wheel traversal—if you don’t stop moving. The lane runs tight along the perimeter of a forgotten golf course, its greens now gone to seed. Golf Men still roam there—solitary figures locked in endless loops, trailing white objects with ritualistic obsession. No one knows if they ever finish a round, but the low groans they emit suggest occasional joy, frequent regret, and a heavy air of bunked sadness. Keep your distance. Don’t try to help. And above all, don’t retrieve the ball. Reports of large wild cats once circulated here. Some say they’re still around—shadows with tails, low to the ground, seen only between blinks. Add that to the interference in your comms, occasional compass spin, and persistent sense of déjà vu, and Coombes Lane earns its reputation. A hidden bunker is rumored somewhere near the lane, though most agree it’s more likely the ghost of an ancient Roman outpost. Caesar’s Camp isn’t far off, and the landscape still holds the scars of older empires. Byways peel off into Barkham Woods, a tangled sprawl of secondary paths, watchpoints, and blind corners. Good for exploration. Also good for ambushes. Z movement has been mapped here. Canine patrols, too—some with collars, some without. Assume neither is friendly. This trail was once favored by the Finchmen—a band of gravel-bike scavengers known for their speed, discipline, and strict adherence to the old countryside code. You’d do well to ride in their spirit: leave no trace, close all gates, pack out your trash, and never—ever—feed the Golf Men. If you’re looking for quiet exploration with a side of strangeness and the feeling that time might not run quite right here… Coombes Lane delivers.

Good gravel track becoming a road. Rather muddy at Heathlands Road end in wet weather.

You are in front of the oldest building in Wokingham, with nearly a thousand years of history, as it was largely reconstructed in the Norman style after the conquest of 1066. Inside, it is known for its stained glass windows and its ornate high altar.

Saint Paul's Church was built between 1862 and 1864 in the context of a developing Wokingham with the arrival of the railway. It underwent some enlargements, such as those in 1874 and 1892. The best way to describe its style is to say it is Victorian Gothic.

This section of the path runs from Gravelpithill Lane to Coombes Lane, and throughout the entire route, you'll have the Bearwood Lakes Golf Club on your left, allowing you to enjoy stunning views. This stretch is part of The Coombes Circular Walk.

The Coombes is located between Arborfield and Barkham, just below the Bearwood Lakes Golf Club. In fact, one of its numerous paths runs alongside the golf course, offering beautiful views. This woodland is also designated as a Local Wildlife Site and as a Local Geological Site.

Although the building you see dates back to 1860, it is not the original one, as a medieval guildhall stood on this site from 1612. This guildhall was demolished to construct the current building due to the significant industrial growth that Wokingham experienced in the mid-19th century. It currently houses the Wokingham Town Council and is designated as a Grade II listed building. You can find a Wokingham Society Historic Blue Plaque here.

Also known as Gorrick Wood, this area has several comfortable paths for hiking while enjoying the surrounding nature and its diverse woodland, although coniferous trees are predominant. In some areas, depending on the weather, it can become a bit muddy.