California Country Park
Wokingham
Children will enjoy the Wild Wood play area, the Sensory Garden and the paddling pool.
The Wild Wood Play Area
The Basics
Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 1.9 km / 1.2 miles
Terrain: Well surfaced paths and boardwalks.
Pushchairs: This route is pushchair friendly.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk, but are not allowed in the play area.
Refreshments: Jacksons Cafe beside the play area as well as picnic tables.
Toilets: There are public toilets near the cafe.
Public Transport: Leopard 3 bus between Reading and Wokingham stops at the entrance to the park on Nine Mile Road.
Parking: Large car park charged at £2.40 per hour up to three hours and £9.60 flat rate for anything over that (Postcode: RG40 4HU - W3W: ///rails.fact.join)
Boardwalks take you across the bog
Many families will come to California Country Park for its outstanding play area, sensory water play and seasonal paddling pool. But there is more to be discovered in the park, including lakeside walks and a hundred acres of lowland heath and bogland accessed by boardwalks.
The Route
On leaving the car park, you will find the café, lake, enclosed play area and paddling pool (pre-booked only).
To begin the walk, start heading around the lake in a clockwise direction. When you reach the top of the lake, just past the paddling pool, you will see a path leading away from the lake into woodland.
Follow the path as it leads you out through a gate into an open wetland area. The path will curve around in a semi circle before bringing you back into the trees through another gate.
You will now be guided by boardwalks over the bog and should follow the singular path as it twists and turns and eventually brings you back to the lake.
Continue your route around the lake in a clockwise direction. You will briefly need to leave the lakeside to go around the campsite.
After the campsite, follow the signs for the cafe to bring you back to your start point.
As a member, you gain instant access to all 131 PDF files in our PDF library. You also get a digital membership card that allows you to benefit from special members-only discounts at some of our favourite pit-stops on the walks.
Did you know?
The site was originally established as an amusement park in 1931 with entertainment over the decades including a miniature railway, carousels, a circus, a speedway track and a ballroom. In the 60’s the site developed into a holiday camp, and although there are still camping and chalet facilities, all of the original amusements have either become overgrown, demolished or burnt down.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try another brilliant country park at Lightwater, Surrey
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