"Finchampstead Ridges" Crowthorne Off The Beaten Path Tip by easyoar

As the name implies, this is more Finchampstead than Crowthorne. However it is actually closer to Crowthorne Station than Crowthorne High Street is!

Finchampstead Ridges is a 60 acre common that has heather and bracken and numerous trees growing on it. Due to its elevated position, it has great views into Hampshire and Surrey and also the River Blackwater.

The Ridges as it is commonly known amongst locals was recently won the top prize in a BBC Natural History Campaign poll for Berkshire.

The Ridges was purchased by public subscription and was handed over to the National Trust in 1913. It is free for anyone to walk through and is a popular haunt for dog walkers. It is also very popular when it snows as the hills make some good sledge runs - although you do have to watch out for the trees (I speak from personal experience here!).

Directions:
The best way to approach the Ridges is up Wellingtonia Avenue from the Crowthorne station end, as you get to drive up the very majestic avenue of California Redwood trees.