Introduction

The first weekend of 2019 sees the RGS lads come back outside to stretch our legs and enjoy a visit to the pub. This walk sees us investigate the walk no. 22 navigated out in a book called 50 Walks In Berkshire & Buckinghamshire (which is ideal as that's where we live) by the AA!

The name of the game? A Loop At Burnham Beeches. Let's have a look around!

Burnham Beeches Nature Reserve

Taking a little excerpt from the book, we learn that this area of land was described as "an area of woodland and waste" before the Corporation of the city of London bought it in 1880 for public use and enjoyment.

Nowadays, the area is around 600 acres and a National Nature Reserve with the "world's largest collection of ancient beeches, with an average age of more than 300 years". Puts a few things in to perspective doesn't it?

The locals used to be very protective of these beeches before the Corporation took over, doing what they could to prevent highway robbery around the thick woodland. Even after the takeover, some protested against the bylaws that were put in place, even "attacking the keeper and throwing him in to a pond!" Don't mess with the locals hey!

Nowadays

Much of the woodland (that used to be part of huge forest stretching across the Chilterns) has disappeared but the beeches have stood strong. It is one of the "most prolific trees in Britain" after all!

Beech Trees

For those who aren't sure what beech trees are, they have "shallow, expanding roots" which help it survive on thin soil (where other trees won't be able to grow). Furthermore, it has a thick canopy/foliage which prevents sunlight hitting the ground beneath it and thus, stopping other plants growing. Clever!

This also means that classic beech wood "has a floor thickly strewn with its own deeps brown leaves".

Now I know more about the beech trees from this book, hopefully that shed some light for you too! Well, unless you're directly underneath the beach, in which case, you won't have any light shedded at all Haha!

Here are some other pictures around the reserve, taken near Dorney Wood:

Stag & Hounds, Farnham Common

So it wouldn't really be a walk with the RGS lads if we didn't end our 5.5 mile loop with a trip to the local pub (aka "boozer")! Our weapon of choice this time round was the Stag & Hounds.

Unfortunately when we arrived at around 1pm, the chef wasn't in so we couldn't check out their cuisine really. Having said that, the lady behind the bar was very accommodating and said that we could groab some pizza from across the road at La Cantina Del Vinous - takeaway and bring it in to enjoy the ambiance.

Well, that sounded awesome so let's get a pizza!

La Cantina Del Vino

Here's a bonus food outlet for you!

I have to say that the pizza was very good, decent size (9") for £8.50 and it took around 10 minutes for it to be freshly prepared. I had a pepperoni which definitely gets the thumbs up from me!

Location wise, it's right opposite the Stag & Hounds and offers a restaurant option as well as takeaway if you wanted to enjoy the restaurant experience.

That concludes this round up of today's walk, hope you enjoyed! I am going to have to do another workout now to burn off those pizza calories 😈

Til the next time, take it easy!

Nicky

Walking

Height 180.3 cm		Weight 64.4 kg		Body Fat %
Waist cm		Thighs cm		Chest cm

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