Blackwater Valley Nature Walks

26/10/2026

In between the miserable weather there are often periods of sunshine. Last Sunday was an example, a bit breezy but nice to be out. I think that's when some shorter walks come into their own. I chose to do this one, only 3.9 miles
https://www.blackwatervalleynaturewalks.co.uk/the-nature-walks/medium-walks-2-5-miles/savernake-and-swinley-parks
It's easy to get to, the paths are generally wide and dry and the wettest bit when I first recorded this walk was much improved. I thought I would find some fungi while there and I've added a few photos here. I saw some nice birds, including a sparrowhawk several times and a green woodpecker. Jays are always evident in woodland at this time of year collecting acorns but this year is definitely a beech mast year. You wont be too late to collect some chestnuts for Turkey stuffing at Christmas if you go soon!

24/10/2026

Sometimes you don't have to go on a walk to find nature! This event happened in my garden a few years ago. The question was, do I let it ruin all my bird feeders or keep it out? The decision was made by my wife when the badger started digging holes in the lawn! But it was a memorable period!

17/10/2026

Off piste again!
It was an odd choice of venue for a day out but the Canvey Island loop in October proved popular as 5 of our Coast Walkers braved the journey and the 14 mile hill free walk! The weather was almost perfect although the breeze was cool and strong at times.
Entering the island wasn’t promising with abandoned boats littering the marsh but quickly onto the sea wall, it turned into an interesting walk. Saltmarsh and birds filled the view but strange sights of shoes in trees made Maureen investigate and find its a tradition here and on coasts thought to bring wealth, luck and all that. We kept our boots on! Southend on sea and even its pier were visible in the distance. The sea wall was our guide all the way. Very easy navigating. Cathy came here on childhood holidays remembering bags of crisps at the Lobster Smack. A great day with lovely people and today, a little achy!

10/10/2026

A Coastal walk in North Somerset. From Hinckley C to Porlock via Minehead

09/10/2026

I had planned to write another book of walks but sitting at my desk is not what I want to do! So, the many walks I've saved for the book can be added here over time for you to enjoy.
This one I've done many times to find the best version. You'll love it! The odd slope but no hills, lots of varied paths, a pub and two cafes to keep you fed and watered. There's a bit of history with old houses, big and small and some great countryside views if you stop to look! My latest walk found Raven, Linnet, Kestrel, Buzzard, Roe Deer to name a few.
Try this at the weekend, let me know if you've liked it!

A delightful 7.5 mile walk in lovely countryside with distant views and points of interest and wildlife all the way.

03/10/2026

Instead of local walks I’ve been busy with the England Coast Path lately. I've just done a 30 mile stretch of the path from Hinckley C to Porlock Weir over 3 easy days. Staying just inland from Watchet, I coincided with a special steam gala weekend on the West Somerset railway, a real bonus! The story is in the photos but this was a really lovely stretch of the path ranging from fairly flat, easygoing, to the start of the South West Coast Path from Minehead where the hills started the challenging part. Aided by lovely weather most of the time it wetted my appetite for this week, in South Devon to walk from Sidmouth to Torcross in the next week. Over time I will knit all these parts together - I hope!
Later this week I should get back to our local walks. I have a few to share.

06/09/2026

Yesterday, having been otherwise engaged for several days, I needed a good walk. What’s better than the Basingstoke canal despite some dry stretches? Parts were almost autumnal with the leaves being shed due to the drought. Dragonflies, birds and chestnuts were all pleasing. It’s never too busy, quite peaceful and plenty of nature to enjoy on the towpath.
I walked the nine miles from Frimley Green to Woking. I have a favourite reward stop for coffee and cake at St John’s on the way, (there’s also a tiny bakery/ coffee shop at Brookwood at half way).
At Woking, I chose to catch the train to Ash Vale and walk home from there. Total walk about 11 miles.
There is now an infrequent bus service from Woking station to Deepcut Mon-Fri that I might try one day.
This was a change from my new ‘obsession’, walking the England Coast Path. A lot of my free time is going into that but I still love my local explorations in our lovely home area. Pick a walk from www.blackwatervalleynaturewalks.co.uk

18/08/2026

A last minute choice! Rebuild my wood store or go for a walk?Inevitably the walk won! I hopped on a train to London and Northfleet to walk some coastal path in an uninviting area! It turned out mixed but better than expected! The highlight was Swanscombe and Dartford marshes separated by the QEII bridge!
At Swanscombe I met a man with binoculars and stopped to chat. He told me the area was chosen for a theme park but doing an Environmental Impact Assessment found important wildlife. Apart from birds, where else would you find tentacled lagoon worms and distinguished jumping spiders? I didn’t see any of them but it was plainly a special place! (See photos below).
The QEII bridge I’ve seen many times from the top but never from underneath, this day changed that. It’s very high and loud!
Dartford marshes are protected by an impressive flood barrage powered by water balancing so it works even in power cuts. Here a couple of young motorcycle riders provided a few minutes of polite chat, they were impressed I’d walked over 7 miles when they met me.
The walk ended at Crayford, an unattractive location but I walked along the river Darent to Dartford station, hot, sweaty but ready for the journey home.
Every Coast walk feels different, I can’t wait for the next regardless of the worms and spiders!

14/08/2026

I don’t sleep well if I haven’t walked or done physical activity in the day. The heat doesn’t help for walking or sleeping. On Thursday I left the house in Frimley Green at 7.30 and walked to Fleet station stopping for a coffee at Southwood Country Park. I caught a train back to Farnborough at about 10.30 and was home before 11.30 and the greatest heat of the day. The route was quite shaded and the trees do their cooling job well. The route I took is on the website here

Country walk from Farnborough to Fleet via Fleet Pond

03/08/2026

I’m on my travels again! In Somerset supposedly for some bird ringing at Steart Marshes WET reserve. But it’s on the Coast, actually Bridgwater Bay, so I’ve come early and am staying late to get more coast walks done. The A303 was even worse than usual so I only did a 5 mile walk but it was worth it. Marshes, very dry, reedbeds, grazing fields, and the Parrett estuary plus a stupendous tower bird hide with a barn owl nest in it ( now empty). Tomorrow I’ll be on an early train to Highbridge and walking back to Bridgnorth. Then the bird ringing begins!