Guidebook for Finchampstead

Kim
Guidebook for Finchampstead

Food Scene

This is a traditional country pub service nice ale, beer and cider as well as home cooked food. The pub has a large, sunny beer garden.
The Queens Oak
Church Lane
This is a traditional country pub service nice ale, beer and cider as well as home cooked food. The pub has a large, sunny beer garden.
Run by friendly Italians this small restaurant serves great food (we love the tricolore salad). In my humble opinion, this place serves the best espresso in Wokingham!
Piccolo Arco
Run by friendly Italians this small restaurant serves great food (we love the tricolore salad). In my humble opinion, this place serves the best espresso in Wokingham!
Fantastic service and great food whether you eat in or take-away (same menu, 10% discount for take-away). My parents brought me here on the opening weekend in 19?? and I've loved it ever since!
Chef Peking
426 Finchampstead Rd
Fantastic service and great food whether you eat in or take-away (same menu, 10% discount for take-away). My parents brought me here on the opening weekend in 19?? and I've loved it ever since!
A family friendly cafe by day and a sophisticated, cosy restaurant in the evening. Occasionally a tasting menu is offered but we have only experienced A La Carte and it is exquisite. A great place to come for a treat; it's not cheap, but it's worth every penny. Why not take a walk around the country park build your appetite (or aid your digestion)?!
Jackson's California Lake
Nine Mile Ride
A family friendly cafe by day and a sophisticated, cosy restaurant in the evening. Occasionally a tasting menu is offered but we have only experienced A La Carte and it is exquisite. A great place to come for a treat; it's not cheap, but it's worth every penny. Why not take a walk around the country park build your appetite (or aid your digestion)?!
Lovely little cafe serving paninis, cakes and coffee. Outside tables over look the excellent play park, basketball courts and playing field run by the Finchamstead Baptist Church centre.
Finchampstead Baptist Church
Gorse Ride North
Lovely little cafe serving paninis, cakes and coffee. Outside tables over look the excellent play park, basketball courts and playing field run by the Finchamstead Baptist Church centre.
We really like this pub. It's a 40 minute walk from home through gorgeous countryside and past the village cricket green - you don't get much more quintessentially English than that! The food is always excellent and the service is very friendly. There is a nice outside area with quirky seats made from decking. The road is a little noisy but it doesn't spoil our time. We highly recommend the Picpoul de Pinet white wine as it's the wine we selected for our wedding!
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Greyhound
Longwater Road
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
We really like this pub. It's a 40 minute walk from home through gorgeous countryside and past the village cricket green - you don't get much more quintessentially English than that! The food is always excellent and the service is very friendly. There is a nice outside area with quirky seats made from decking. The road is a little noisy but it doesn't spoil our time. We highly recommend the Picpoul de Pinet white wine as it's the wine we selected for our wedding!
Great fish and chips every time! What more can I say...
BOB'S FISH AND CHIPS
425 Finchampstead Rd
Great fish and chips every time! What more can I say...
If you want a really fabulous dinner, you won't be disappointed with an evening at Ruchetta. For us, this is a real 'special occasion' treat. The prices are steep but the food, ambiance and service exceeded our expectations on our first visit. Be brave, ask the waiter to recommend wines based on your food order!
Ruchetta
6 Rose St
If you want a really fabulous dinner, you won't be disappointed with an evening at Ruchetta. For us, this is a real 'special occasion' treat. The prices are steep but the food, ambiance and service exceeded our expectations on our first visit. Be brave, ask the waiter to recommend wines based on your food order!
Jessy's is a cute independently run cafe by day and a cosy restaurant by night (it is only open in the evening at weekends). The building itself is a beautiful tudor house with exposed beams and a large original fireplace with cosy leather sofas. We enjoy coffee & cake here as well as cocktails on the sofas in the evening. Lots of gluten free options too.
Jessy's Cafe & Restaurant
37 Denmark St
Jessy's is a cute independently run cafe by day and a cosy restaurant by night (it is only open in the evening at weekends). The building itself is a beautiful tudor house with exposed beams and a large original fireplace with cosy leather sofas. We enjoy coffee & cake here as well as cocktails on the sofas in the evening. Lots of gluten free options too.
I haven't eaten here but my husband has and he says the food is good! Xenuk is a restaurant and take-away and is less than 10 minutes walk from our house.
Xenuk Tandoori
428 Finchampstead Rd
I haven't eaten here but my husband has and he says the food is good! Xenuk is a restaurant and take-away and is less than 10 minutes walk from our house.
This cafe has a well-deserved reputation for the best breakfasts in Berkshire! Local produce, ample portions and great service. The neighbouring garden centre is worth a stroll around and also sells local produce. Free parking.
The Farm Cafe
Forest Road
This cafe has a well-deserved reputation for the best breakfasts in Berkshire! Local produce, ample portions and great service. The neighbouring garden centre is worth a stroll around and also sells local produce. Free parking.
Lovely independently-run cafe serving great breakfasts as well as tea, coffee and snacks throughout the day. Great place for New Forest ice cream. Interesting art on the walls too!
Oscars Coffee
2-2A Denmark St
Lovely independently-run cafe serving great breakfasts as well as tea, coffee and snacks throughout the day. Great place for New Forest ice cream. Interesting art on the walls too!

Drinks & Nightlife

Known among our friends as 'The BST', this is one of our favourite pubs in Wokingham - and with so many excellent pubs to choose from, this is a real accolade! Nice, sunny garden, good beers and a cosy interior keep us loyal. The food is also good, I'm a fan of the sharing boards. Sometimes the BST hosts live music evenings, hog roasts and BBQs. There is also a pub quiz every Tuesday evening. The landlady, Lily, is very friendly and just the right side of a bit bonkers!
Broad Street Tavern
29 Broad St
Known among our friends as 'The BST', this is one of our favourite pubs in Wokingham - and with so many excellent pubs to choose from, this is a real accolade! Nice, sunny garden, good beers and a cosy interior keep us loyal. The food is also good, I'm a fan of the sharing boards. Sometimes the BST hosts live music evenings, hog roasts and BBQs. There is also a pub quiz every Tuesday evening. The landlady, Lily, is very friendly and just the right side of a bit bonkers!
Another favourite of ours. This pub is particularly good for watching sport and can get pretty busy - but this just adds to the atmosphere. There are two large screens outside in the beer garden and also an outside bar in the summer months. Friday and Saturday evenings are busy from quite early on with post-work gatherings. The building itself is very much a traditional pub with exposed beams and a higgledy-piggledy layout. There is a dart board in one corner. Newly refurbished, it's a very nice building indeed. The staff are really friendly regulars seem to get recognised pretty quickly. The food is reliably good.
The Ship Inn
104 Peach St
Another favourite of ours. This pub is particularly good for watching sport and can get pretty busy - but this just adds to the atmosphere. There are two large screens outside in the beer garden and also an outside bar in the summer months. Friday and Saturday evenings are busy from quite early on with post-work gatherings. The building itself is very much a traditional pub with exposed beams and a higgledy-piggledy layout. There is a dart board in one corner. Newly refurbished, it's a very nice building indeed. The staff are really friendly regulars seem to get recognised pretty quickly. The food is reliably good.
Apart from the Spin Bar, there aren't many late venues in Wokingham. The Redan is a pub and a cocktail bar rolled into one and stays open until 1am at the weekend. This is probably the coolest bar in the town playing modern and retro music, serving up fantastic cocktails and lots of music-related-artwork. Outside, the heated pub benches are a real highlight! Occassionally there is live music and/or a DJ too.
The Redan
24 Peach St
Apart from the Spin Bar, there aren't many late venues in Wokingham. The Redan is a pub and a cocktail bar rolled into one and stays open until 1am at the weekend. This is probably the coolest bar in the town playing modern and retro music, serving up fantastic cocktails and lots of music-related-artwork. Outside, the heated pub benches are a real highlight! Occassionally there is live music and/or a DJ too.
Load up your card and help yourself to a variety of wines all evening. The food is limited but very good - basically choose form a meats or cheese board, or a bit of both. A great place to try lots of different wines (you can select a 'trial-size' measure if you want to be able to walk at the end of the night!) The small counter also sells local produce and hand-made chocolates.
The Grape Escape
13 Denmark Street
Load up your card and help yourself to a variety of wines all evening. The food is limited but very good - basically choose form a meats or cheese board, or a bit of both. A great place to try lots of different wines (you can select a 'trial-size' measure if you want to be able to walk at the end of the night!) The small counter also sells local produce and hand-made chocolates.

Parks & Nature

This is only a 10 minute stroll from our house. It's a scenic circular walk in the Berkshire countryside and Rook's Nest Wood. The circular walk itself takes around 15-20 minutes but there are footpaths leading off which take you to Barkham (perhaps take a rest in The Bull at Barkham?). Very popular with dog walkers.
Rook's Nest Wood Country Park
Barkham Ride
This is only a 10 minute stroll from our house. It's a scenic circular walk in the Berkshire countryside and Rook's Nest Wood. The circular walk itself takes around 15-20 minutes but there are footpaths leading off which take you to Barkham (perhaps take a rest in The Bull at Barkham?). Very popular with dog walkers.
This country park is one of my favourite spots to run, walk or simply be. It's also great Pokemon hunting ground with two pokestops! The park has a fishing lake, large paddling pool in the summer (£2 entry), well-maintained footpaths through the woods and out into the protected countryside. It's not unusual to see deer here. There is also an ice cream shack, small cafe and playground. I feel extremely lucky to live so close to this genuinely beautiful spot.
9 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
California Country Park
Nine Mile Ride
9 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
This country park is one of my favourite spots to run, walk or simply be. It's also great Pokemon hunting ground with two pokestops! The park has a fishing lake, large paddling pool in the summer (£2 entry), well-maintained footpaths through the woods and out into the protected countryside. It's not unusual to see deer here. There is also an ice cream shack, small cafe and playground. I feel extremely lucky to live so close to this genuinely beautiful spot.
Simons Woods is a real hidden gem. Reachable within a 10 minute walk of our house, the woodland opens up to reveal a beautiful lake home to many ducks and swans! Paths throughout the wood take you to various places in Finchampstead. I love seeing the various secret dens which have been created by children!
Simons Wood
Simons Woods is a real hidden gem. Reachable within a 10 minute walk of our house, the woodland opens up to reveal a beautiful lake home to many ducks and swans! Paths throughout the wood take you to various places in Finchampstead. I love seeing the various secret dens which have been created by children!
I have put this in the 'Parks and Nature' section as I don't play golf! There is a really nice footpath which takes you all the way around the golf course and it starts less than 5 minutes from our front door. If you enjoy golf, I'm reliably informed this is a great course!
Sand Martins Golf Club
Finchampstead Road
I have put this in the 'Parks and Nature' section as I don't play golf! There is a really nice footpath which takes you all the way around the golf course and it starts less than 5 minutes from our front door. If you enjoy golf, I'm reliably informed this is a great course!
The Look Out has a great little 'Discovery Centre' with activities which teach children all about science and nature. Go Ape is also located here. Additionally, the Look Out is located in Swinley Forest which has walks and bike trails of varying length and difficulty. Fun fact for movie buffs: This is a regular filming spot! Many scenes in Harry Potter were filmed in the forest and the outside shots of The Dursley's home were taken just down the road in Martin's Heron.
43 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Look Out Discovery Centre
Nine Mile Ride
43 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Look Out has a great little 'Discovery Centre' with activities which teach children all about science and nature. Go Ape is also located here. Additionally, the Look Out is located in Swinley Forest which has walks and bike trails of varying length and difficulty. Fun fact for movie buffs: This is a regular filming spot! Many scenes in Harry Potter were filmed in the forest and the outside shots of The Dursley's home were taken just down the road in Martin's Heron.
Great lake for wild swimming and watersports.
Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre
Mill Lane
Great lake for wild swimming and watersports.
This is one of the earliest National Trust lands. Gorgeous walks through woodland and stunning views across the Blackwater Valley. Great for bird watchers, I believe you can see rare green woodpeckers here... There are several starting points for walks along the ridges, best to google a few and pick the duration you want. You can walk to some of the start points from our home in around 30 minutes if you want to stretch your legs even more!
The Ridges
This is one of the earliest National Trust lands. Gorgeous walks through woodland and stunning views across the Blackwater Valley. Great for bird watchers, I believe you can see rare green woodpeckers here... There are several starting points for walks along the ridges, best to google a few and pick the duration you want. You can walk to some of the start points from our home in around 30 minutes if you want to stretch your legs even more!
A lovely place to walk, run, cycle or just relax. There is an activity centre running loads of different water sports and there is also a large playground. I have been coming here to feed the ducks, swans and Canada geese since I was a little girl... there are OODLES of them! There is also a nice cafe here too. You have to pay for the car park, but it's pretty cheap.
37 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Dinton Pastures Country Park
Davis Street
37 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
A lovely place to walk, run, cycle or just relax. There is an activity centre running loads of different water sports and there is also a large playground. I have been coming here to feed the ducks, swans and Canada geese since I was a little girl... there are OODLES of them! There is also a nice cafe here too. You have to pay for the car park, but it's pretty cheap.

Essentials

This was Princess Diana's spa of choice and was also used in the Kylie/Robbie video for 'Kids'! Day spas are available and it's best to book a little way in advance but sometimes that have cancellations so it's worth a try on the day. One of the largest spas in the UK, there are several different saunas, steam rooms and pools as well as swimming treadmills, a gym and an outside pool plus hot tubs. The outside sunbathing area is a great spot to pretend you're somewhere exotic (if the weather is right!) The all-you-can-eat salad bar is absolutely superb... it is so extensive and also includes hot meals and meats so don't let the word 'salad' put you off! Pure luxury. Try not to accidentally sleep your way through too much of your day on the heated loungers...! P.S I don't consider this an 'essential', it is simply the category under which 'Spa' falls!
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Nirvana Spa
Mole Road
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
This was Princess Diana's spa of choice and was also used in the Kylie/Robbie video for 'Kids'! Day spas are available and it's best to book a little way in advance but sometimes that have cancellations so it's worth a try on the day. One of the largest spas in the UK, there are several different saunas, steam rooms and pools as well as swimming treadmills, a gym and an outside pool plus hot tubs. The outside sunbathing area is a great spot to pretend you're somewhere exotic (if the weather is right!) The all-you-can-eat salad bar is absolutely superb... it is so extensive and also includes hot meals and meats so don't let the word 'salad' put you off! Pure luxury. Try not to accidentally sleep your way through too much of your day on the heated loungers...! P.S I don't consider this an 'essential', it is simply the category under which 'Spa' falls!
The Co-op sells all the essentials and also hosts the local post office.
The Co-operative Food
164-168 Whitley Wood Rd
The Co-op sells all the essentials and also hosts the local post office.
A local pharmacy stocking all the essentials. The service is usually very friendly and discreet.
Jats Pharmacy
422B Finchampstead Rd
A local pharmacy stocking all the essentials. The service is usually very friendly and discreet.
Brants Bridge is the local Urgent Care centre. If you need medical attention, but don't need A&E... this is the place for you! Free parking.
Brants Bridge
Brants Bridge
Brants Bridge is the local Urgent Care centre. If you need medical attention, but don't need A&E... this is the place for you! Free parking.
Be prepared for some banter! The gentleman who runs the dry cleaners is a real joker and gives each customer his full attention. He even keeps dog treats to hand for local customers with assistance dogs. I always leave smiling!
Country Dry Cleaners & Cobbler
Denmark Street
Be prepared for some banter! The gentleman who runs the dry cleaners is a real joker and gives each customer his full attention. He even keeps dog treats to hand for local customers with assistance dogs. I always leave smiling!
Friendly local dentist if you need one!
White Dental Finchampstead
422b Finchampstead Rd
Friendly local dentist if you need one!
Friendly staff and super convenient location.
Post Office Within The Co-operative Food
420 Finchampstead Rd
Friendly staff and super convenient location.
This is our nearest large supermarket. It is open until midnight everyday apart from Sunday. There is a pharmacy, Costa Cofee and the in-store bakery makes loads of interesting breads and cakes.
Tesco Superstore
78 Finchampstead Rd
This is our nearest large supermarket. It is open until midnight everyday apart from Sunday. There is a pharmacy, Costa Cofee and the in-store bakery makes loads of interesting breads and cakes.

Shopping

A lovely little gift shop tucked away in Bush Walk. Think Cath Kidston, Gisella Graham and other masters of kitsch! There is a sister shop just next door selling vintage style furniture and home items - always a pleasure to browse here.
Antique Rose Gifts
3 Market Pl
A lovely little gift shop tucked away in Bush Walk. Think Cath Kidston, Gisella Graham and other masters of kitsch! There is a sister shop just next door selling vintage style furniture and home items - always a pleasure to browse here.
If you want to buy some local produce, this farm shop is the place to go. Local cheeses, wines, beers, biscuits, meats and all sorts of other goods are sold here. Great place for finding gifts too. There is also a little cafe here. This is also a farm park which is great fun for children with a playground and animals to pet and feed in the spring.
Lockey Farm
Sindlesham Road
If you want to buy some local produce, this farm shop is the place to go. Local cheeses, wines, beers, biscuits, meats and all sorts of other goods are sold here. Great place for finding gifts too. There is also a little cafe here. This is also a farm park which is great fun for children with a playground and animals to pet and feed in the spring.
I often visit this garden centre when I have some spare time and end up spending loads of money by accident! Almost all of the centre is undercover so you can visit in any weather. There are SO many beautiful plants as well as a huge shop selling garden furniture and accessories as well as gifts, cards and clothing. The staff are really helpful and knowledgeable. You may enjoy walking around the big aquatics department too - lots of different fish to see. There is a large cafe selling tea and cake as well as a range of hot meals and wine. My favourite time to visit Henry Street is around Christmas. Their displays are really magical as you walk through zones of different colours towards a sizable collection of different Christmas trees - say hello to the cute mechanical rabbits and reindeer on your way in!
Henry Street
Swallowfield Road
I often visit this garden centre when I have some spare time and end up spending loads of money by accident! Almost all of the centre is undercover so you can visit in any weather. There are SO many beautiful plants as well as a huge shop selling garden furniture and accessories as well as gifts, cards and clothing. The staff are really helpful and knowledgeable. You may enjoy walking around the big aquatics department too - lots of different fish to see. There is a large cafe selling tea and cake as well as a range of hot meals and wine. My favourite time to visit Henry Street is around Christmas. Their displays are really magical as you walk through zones of different colours towards a sizable collection of different Christmas trees - say hello to the cute mechanical rabbits and reindeer on your way in!

Entertainment & Activities

This is now a Cinema Deluxe which basically means ENORMOUS, reclining seats and extensive legroom as standard in every screen. There are also a couple of super luxurious screens. There is a Costa Coffee within the cinema complex.
26 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Showcase Cinema de Lux Reading
Reading Road
26 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
This is now a Cinema Deluxe which basically means ENORMOUS, reclining seats and extensive legroom as standard in every screen. There are also a couple of super luxurious screens. There is a Costa Coffee within the cinema complex.
Carnival pool has lane swimming, aqua aerobics and a children's fun pool all under one roof. Check the timetable before going to make sure inflatables aren't going to get in the way of your exercise... or that swimmers aren't going to get in the way of your fun! There is also a fully equipped gym.
Carnival Pool & Fitness Centre
Wellington Road
Carnival pool has lane swimming, aqua aerobics and a children's fun pool all under one roof. Check the timetable before going to make sure inflatables aren't going to get in the way of your exercise... or that swimmers aren't going to get in the way of your fun! There is also a fully equipped gym.

Getting Around

Trains from Wokingham run regularly to Reading either directly (8 minutes) or with three local stops (13 minutes). Trains run to London Waterloo twice and hour and take around 1 hour 10 minutes. Trains also run to Gatwick Airport via Guildford. It's really easy to catch a direct train to Ascot, Guildford, Richmond, Twickenham for events and days out. Watch out for the locally-famous station announcer, Tony. He is admired for his quirky and personal announcements, referring to commuters as "The Wokingham mutual appreciation society"!
Wokingham station
Trains from Wokingham run regularly to Reading either directly (8 minutes) or with three local stops (13 minutes). Trains run to London Waterloo twice and hour and take around 1 hour 10 minutes. Trains also run to Gatwick Airport via Guildford. It's really easy to catch a direct train to Ascot, Guildford, Richmond, Twickenham for events and days out. Watch out for the locally-famous station announcer, Tony. He is admired for his quirky and personal announcements, referring to commuters as "The Wokingham mutual appreciation society"!
Crowthorne station is just as close to our home as Wokingham station. If you're on foot or a bicycle, the journey is on a bridle way through the woods and is almost entirely straight from our front door, to the station - how's that for efficient? Trains run to Redhill (via Farnborough and Guildford) and Reading (via Wokingham).
Crowthorne
Crowthorne station is just as close to our home as Wokingham station. If you're on foot or a bicycle, the journey is on a bridle way through the woods and is almost entirely straight from our front door, to the station - how's that for efficient? Trains run to Redhill (via Farnborough and Guildford) and Reading (via Wokingham).
We've hired vans from BTC and in our experience they have been good value and provide a smooth rental service. They also hire cars.
BTC Vehicle Rentals
51G Barkham Rd
We've hired vans from BTC and in our experience they have been good value and provide a smooth rental service. They also hire cars.
This is our taxi company of choice. They always arrive on time (usually early) in very clean cars and every driver we have met has been friendly, polite and helpful. What's more, their prices are the same as all the other companies we have tried. Ever since one driver helped my blind mum by diverting to the shop and buying her a pint of milk at no extra charge, we have been entirely faithful to this taxi company! Taxi from home to town is around £8-12 depending on the time of day.
Prestige Cars
This is our taxi company of choice. They always arrive on time (usually early) in very clean cars and every driver we have met has been friendly, polite and helpful. What's more, their prices are the same as all the other companies we have tried. Ever since one driver helped my blind mum by diverting to the shop and buying her a pint of milk at no extra charge, we have been entirely faithful to this taxi company! Taxi from home to town is around £8-12 depending on the time of day.