The best walks and hikes around Swallowfield

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.

Great café/diner. Huge portion bacon/sausage sandwich. Arrive by bike or on foot, the car-park charges (Wokingham Borough Council) are extortionate!!

Large car park at the Tally Ho so park, walk, return for some well deserved food and drink.

Now re-opened after a fire which destroyed their cellar. They have draught cider, lager and Guinness. The bitters are in bottles, for now.

Unfortunately, the local council (Wokingham) despite resurfacing the Coombes' byways (very well) have not done anything about the steps on the footbridge here.

This lake, located next to California Country Park, offers a peaceful trail that surrounds it, allowing you to enjoy beautiful views of the lake and the wildlife that resides in it. It's a lake that was excavated in the 19th century for brickmaking purposes.

This memorial stone pays tribute to the post that was recently discovered during excavations in 2019 while building a road. It was a structure that was part of a national network and was built in 1961 for the Royal Observer Corps (ROC).

This lake is located in the heart of California Country Park. Excavated in the 19th century for brick making, it has a nice path that runs around its perimeter. It's also a well-known spot for fishing enthusiasts