Burnham Beeches
Suitable for all ages.
The terrain is formed of undulating tarmac lanes.
Getting there: There are various ways to get to Burnham beeches. The easiest way to get to the main car park shown on the map is on the A355 road between Beaconsfield and Slough. As you drive through Farnham common you will see signage pointing you towards the beeches.
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Parking: There is a large car park area that will accommodate dozens of cars at East Burnham Common. This is next to a large open area of the beeches, There are also toilets here together with a café and information point (currently closed due to covid-19).
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The best way to enjoy a ride around the beeches is to incorporate it with a walk into the woods. Footpaths are included on the map so you can explore these historic woodlands. From the main car park you can ride down Lord Mayors Drive which is about a mile to the end and back on a primarily flat well surfaced path. It is a nice diversion to visit the upper and middle pond which are connected by a small stream.
You can also do the same down Sir Henry Peeks Drive which is again flat and well surfaced. For a longer ride go down Halse Drive and do a loop around Mcauliffe Drive and Dukes Drive. This would be about 2 miles in total. However Halse Drive incorporates a steep down then up so it is likely you will be pushing your child’s bike at some point if you’re cycling as a family. The castle earthworks are a point of interest and the ride along McAuliffe drive is particularly attractive. All these “drives” are well surfaced.
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Burnham Beeches Ordinance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map
Langley Park
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Langley Park has a variety of beautiful trails suitable for cycling and walking. The park contains 154 acres of free access parkland, 360 acres of farmland, delightful Edwardian rhododendron gardens (with views to Windsor Castle) and an Arboretum with a fine collection of specimen trees and a beautiful ornamental pond. Cycling is permitted, except in the Temple Gardens and the Arboretum. Cycle racks are located next to the tea room (currently closed due to covid-19).
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Langley Park Country Park Ordinance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map
Black Park
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With over 10 miles of well signed cycling and walking tracks, Black Park is the ideal place for a great day out in the country. Set in 535 acres of woodland and heathland, you will find lakes, large open areas, cafes (closed due to covid-19) and a Go Ape Tree top adventure course (also closed due to covid-19). The park is located in Wexham, just a few miles east of Slough.
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The route below begins at the car park next to the lake and takes you to the famous Pinewood studios where many blockbuster films have been produced. You continue through the park to Upton Wood where you will circle the lake before returning to the finish point back at the car park.
The route is suitable for both cyclists and walkers but for cyclists there is also the Beeches cycleway .
This 12 mile, signposted route joins Black Park, Stoke Common, Burnham Beeches and Dorney Lake (currently closed) allowing you to extend your ride if you wish.
For walkers you may also like to try the Beeches way walk which passes through Black Park.
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Black Park Country Park Ordinance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map
Dorney Lake
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Currently closed due to antisocial behaviour, find out more by clicking here.
This purpose-built rowing lake in Buckinghamshire has a traffic free National Cycle Network trail running past it on one side and the Thames Path on the other. As such you can make a circular walking trail using these two trails or a linear ride from Eton Wick to Dorney Reach if you are on your bike. The lake was used as the rowing venue for the 2012 Olympics in London.
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It's a lovely area with the riverside path and views across the lake to enjoy. There's also 450 acres of parkland including an Arboretum and Nature Conservation area. Look out for water loving bird life including the grey heron.
You can park at the north western end of the lake just off Court Lane to start your walk. Alternatively you could catch the train to Windsor and then follow the Thames Path to the lake. It's about 1.5 mile walk passing Eton, Eton Wick and Dorney Common. A National Cycle Network Path also runs from the train station to the site.
If you would like to extend your exercise then you could visit the nearby Windsor Great Park. The park has miles of cycling and walking trails with woodland, parkland and lakes to enjoy. You could also continue along the Thames Path to Maidenhead which is only a couple of miles to the north.
The Jubilee River also runs past Dorney. This river has a great waterside cycling and walking trail running from Maidenhead to Eton.
Dorney Lake Ordinance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map