Swinley Forest Walk
Location: Swinley Forest nr Bracknell
Date: 11th September 2011 from 10:00am
Description
The walk takes place in the historic Swinley Forest which once formed part of the Windsor Great Forest. This part of the forest is situated to the south of Bracknell. It is owned by the Crown Estate and is run as an amenity jointly with Bracknell Forest Council. In the past the Forest was used by the Kings and Queens for hunting. In more recent times the Forest was planted with varieties of Conifers to provide timber for telegraph poles, pit-props and even aircraft construction during the 2nd War. Swinley Forest has now been dedicated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) because of the variety of birds animals and fungi that are to be found in the Forest.
It is also of interest archaeologically because it contains a number of ancient sites. The best known of these is Ceasars Camp, an Iron Age Hill Fort dating from 700 BC, but there is also Wickham Bushes, the site of a Roman town and fort which remained as a Saxon town until abont 600AD. There is a section of the roman road which runs from London, through Staines (Pontes) to Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester) and then onto the west. In the late 1700s part of the forest was used by the army to train in preparation for the Napoleonic Wars and there are 5 redoubts from that period.
Routes
We have set 2 routes, one of about 7miles, the other of about 3.5 miles. Both routes will pass through the most interesting areas of Ceasars Camp and Wickham Bushes and pass at least one of the Redoubts which can be explored by walkers. The long route will also take in a section of the Devil's Highway (the current name of the section of Roman Road) and Hut Hill which affords superb views across Bracknell and the Thames Valley to High Wycombe on the northern horizon.
The short route runs for most of the way along wide gravel, sand or grass paths and is suitable for walkers with push chairs and younger children. Please note that after rain some sections of these paths can have large puddles and be muddy so we recommend wearing suitable footware for the conditions. The longer route includes sections of narrow trails through the woods and we recommend that walkers wear stout shoes or boots. There are no facilities along the routes; walkers are advised to take their own water. Both routes run over some uneven ground and walkers are asked to take care not to trip on tree roots and suchlike.
Well behaved dogs are welcome but owners are reminded that they must be kept under control at all times and must be kept on a lead whilst in the Ceasars Camp area.
The great fire of 2011
In April/May 2011 the most western section of the Forest was damaged by the biggest fire in Berkshire. Fortunately most of the forest escaped damage and although our longer route skirts the very edge of a fire damaged section the major part of both routes remain undamaged.
How to get there
We have arranged car parking at The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell RG12 7QW which is at the start and end of the walk. The Look Out has a cafe for refreshments and toilets which are available to walkers. Click here for a Google Map
Full details of the walk, a map and a detailed description of the routes will be available to be downloaded for registered walkers before the event.
Registration details can be found on the Lymphoma Association website.
If you would like to raise money through sponsorship or would just like to make a donation you can do so here
Last updated: 04.07.2011