The Spoons-to-Spoons Route: A Winter Walk in Swinley – Kicking off 2026

There is something grounding about that first real walk of the year. But let’s be honest, it’s even better when it’s bookended by a Wetherspoons.

For my first outing of 2026, I decided to use the public transport and go point-to-point with my work colleague, Warren. The plan was simple: start at the pub in Camberley, walk through the forest, and finish at the pub in Bracknell.

The Start: Fueling Up We met at the Wetherspoons in Camberley – The Claude du Vall – for a little breakfast to kick things off. It was one of those classic January days—bitingly cold, but with a bright, low sun that made everything look crisp.

The Route: Barossa into Swinley Fueled by warm food and coffee, we headed north into the Barossa nature reserve. The contrast was immediate. You go from the warmth of the pub to the open, frosty heathland in minutes.

From there, we crossed into Swinley Forest. The sunshine filtering through those tall pine lines was spectacular. It’s a long stretch, but walking it on a cold, sunny day is surprisingly refreshing. It didn’t feel like exercise; it just felt like a good day out.

The Finish Line After a good few hours of mud and fresh air, seeing Bracknell Town Centre on the horizon was a welcome sight. We made a beeline for The Old Manor Wetherspoons there to wrap up the journey properly.

There is no drink quite as refreshing as the one you feel you’ve actually earned. Walking from one Spoons to another might not be an Olympic sport yet, but it’s definitely my preferred way to see the countryside and a nice way to start the year.

Distance: 8 miles / 13km