Nestled in the heart of Wokingham, California Country Park is a hidden gem that promises an enchanting dog walk in Wokingham. This picturesque park covers 40 ha and is set within ancient bogland and lowland heath and boasts lush woodlands, tranquil lake, and scenic trails, making it the perfect destination for a leisurely dog walk.
The park was first established in 1931 as an amusement park and was called “California in England”. It even had a miniature railway at some point. It was then passed to new owners in the 1960s who turned the site into a holiday camp before it was turned into a Country Park in 1980.
| Distance | Total Time | Difficulty |
| 3.65 km | 00:59 | Easy |
Like our hike in Port Meadow, Oxford, this is not really a set trail and is more about enjoying the location without following a specific path.
The park features the stunning Longmoor Lake, which has five islands and serves as a serene backdrop for your walk. The water’s edge is perfect for letting your dog dip their paws and take in the calming atmosphere. Be sure to keep your pup on a lead, especially near the water, to ensure their safety and the protection of local wildlife.
As you venture further into the park, you’ll be surrounded by dense woodlands. The scent of pine, the rustling of leaves underfoot, and the chirping of birds overhead create a magical ambience.
For the car park, set your GPS to California Country Park, Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 4HU. Plenty of parking space is available, so you can leave your worries behind and focus on enjoying your time with your furry companion on this enchanting dog walk in Wokingham.
Don’t forget to check the post notes at the bottom of the page, with maps, a detailed table about the hike and links to everything mentioned in the post.
The Hike
We started the walk in the first car park and took the path signposted Lake + Boardwalk.
A short walk from the signpost, we could already see the lake, and the girls got really happy about the ducks and other doggies around. This section of the walk can be quite busy, as there’s a picnic area, followed by a kids playground and a cafe next to the lake.
We initially just followed the path around the lake for a lakeside stroll. It is a pretty and tranquil section of the hike.
From there, we ventured into the woods, first taking a path towards Hazebrouck Meadows, and once the gang reached Commonfield Lane, we then retraced our steps and went into the Longmoor Bog across the everglades boardwalk. The bog is 8,000 years old!
The boardwalk eventually led us back into the woods, and shortly after we were at the playground and picnic area.
As we passed the cafe to the car park, we saw a self-service dog wash machine that looked quite impressive. It even had warm water, shampoo and a dryer. We have never seen one of those before.
It was a short but still very pleasant walk, and the girls absolutely loved it. It was indeed an enchanting dog walk in Wokingham.
Cheers,
Ademar
Full Details Table
| Location | California Country Park Finchampstead Wokingham |
| Parking Postcode | RG40 4HU |
| Parking Cost | £2 per hour £8 for 4 hours and over |
| Starting Point | Car park |
| End Point | Car park |
| Total Time | 00:59 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Distance | 3.65 km |
| Elevation | 56m – 70 m |
| Facilities | – Cafe – Many dog waste bins – Toilets – Self-service dog wash – Picnic area |
| Dog friendly rating | – 5 stars |
| Points of Interest | – Longmoor Lake – Longmoor Bog |
Maps
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