 Book Holiday Club for half-term break now
Dinton Pastures’ Wild Days Holiday Club will be back to keep your children entertained during the coming half-term break.
From 24 to 28 October (Monday to Friday), a host of adventurous sports will be available on land and in the water for our holiday club participants aged 8 to 13.
Land activities such as climbing, archery and survival skills will be running alongside water sports including stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), kayaking and giant SUPs.
You can book your children for either a morning or an afternoon session. As activities in each session are different, you may also book them in for a full day.
Each Wild Days Holiday Club session costs £30. More information can be found on the Dinton Pastures Country Park website.
Book early before they are full!
 New greenway promises traffic-free walks for all
The latest of our greenways, a network of mostly traffic-free routes linking major destinations in the borough, has been officially opened to the public.
It crosses Woosehill Meadows, between Reading Road and Heron Road in Wokingham town, as part of a new link between Cantley Park and Arborfield Cross. This is one of several planned connections between the borough’s major new housing developments and existing settlements, with funding largely provided by the developers.
The new greenway has a hard, permeable surface to make it accessible in all weathers, particularly for users of wheelchairs, buggies and more, and will blend in with its surroundings as the grass on either side grows back. The area around Kingfisher Bridge to the south, which was muddy and messy, has also been tidied up.
It’s proving popular with residents. One resident told us: “I wanted to say how brilliant it is to have a proper path in the fields… it will make such a huge difference in the winter not having to struggle through thick mud.”
 Go for a scenic walk in California Country Park
As autumn is in the air, why not go out and about to enjoy our beautiful countryside?
California Country Park, in Finchampstead, covers 40 hectares and is set within 100 acres of ancient bogland and lowland heath. There are two scenic trails ideal for a day-out with your family.
The Longmoor Lake walk is 0.9 miles long, with a footpath around the lake hard surfaced for improved accessibility.
The Woodland Walk takes in the 8,000-year-old Longmoor Bog, the Heathland, Longmoor Lake and the woodland. Now a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its abundance of rare sedges and mosses, Longmoor Bog can be accessed via a specially constructed boardwalk. Did you know that lowland heath is becoming increasingly rare in Britain?
To find out more about these routes, download the California Country Park walks.
Dogs are welcome in the whole country park, except the play park area and the paddling pool. We ask for your respect to other visitors by keeping your dog on lead.
 Celebrating Loddon Rivers Week
Loddon Rivers Week has just started!
From 26 September to 2 October, you can play in a part in improving the health of the River Loddon. Like most rivers in southern England, it faces many challenges such as pollution, invasive species and poor habitat quality and connectivity.
Guided walks are being held during the week to help you learn more about the river and its wildlife. There are also chances for you to get kitted up in waders or wellies and join in the restoration work for sections of the river, so that it remains a place for wildlife to thrive and for people to enjoy.
The River Loddon starts in Basingstoke and stretches across Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire before it runs into the Thames just west of Wargrave. The habitats in the upper reaches of the Loddon are hugely valuable for biodiversity and home to brown trout, water voles and otters.
To learn more about Loddon Rivers Week, visit the South East Rivers Trust website.
 Dinton Activity Centre hits first major landmark
Our Dinton Activity Centre, at Dinton Pastures Country Park near Hurst, just marked the first anniversary of its official opening on 22 September.
It's our first net-zero carbon building with eco-friendly materials and features to support our goal of helping the borough address the climate emergency. It was partly built off-site and assembled to reduce disruption and the environmental impact.
The two-storey building, clad in Siberian larch, includes a fun climbing wall with modern locking mechanisms allowing people to climb without a partner. Its green additions include solar panels and windcatchers on the roof, LED lighting and air source heat pumps - all of which reduce energy usage and running costs.
It's also home to the Coffee Deck, a coffee shop on the upper-floor terrace with stunning views over the lake. It is run by award-winning caterer Cleverchefs, which keep sustainability at their core and create ethically sourced food and drink that never compromises on quality.
Accessible facilities and inclusive activities
Dinton Activity Centre is a welcoming place for all residents regardless of age or ability level.
For less mobile visitors, there are accessible facilitiies like toilets and changing rooms while those with walking difficulties can hire a free mobility scooter (advance booking and induction required).
The centre offers all kinds of inclusive activities like Sailability sessions on our sailing lake for those with sensory issues or special educational needs. Staff are trained to help visitors from a range of backgrounds.
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