Magical Shepherd Meadows is a picturesque mix of meadows, river and woodlands, full of head high flowers, butterflies, birds and ducks…lots and lots of ducks.
The Meadows The Circular Walk This route is labelled on the reserve map near the car park. Poohsticks Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area Adjoining the nature reserve is Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area, a well-equipped recreation ground and play area with everything from a gorgeous pond and more ducks, to football and tennis, a sand pit, a huge slide and a zip wire. It also has toilets and a cafe with a seating area. The Paths I took an all-terrain buggy and did not have any access problems, although I expect the meadows may become wet in the winter.
The meadows are a nature reserve of about 100 acres split in two by the River Blackwater and the Blackwater Valley Path.
This is a particularly lovely section of the river, with benches and angling platforms scattered along it.
There is an easy to navigate, circular walk around the reserve that takes you up one side of the River Blackwater, over a bridge and then down the other side of the river to another bridge. 
The bridges are perfect for a slow game of Poohsticks, so be sure to gather some twigs along your walk.
It took us 20 minutes, walking at a very leisurely pace, to reach the play area from the Shepherd Meadows car park.
The paths vary from smooth to stony to grassy. They are clearly labelled on the reserve’s map.
Visit the Shepherd Meadows website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Sandhurst Opens: Daily Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or walk to the cafe near to Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area. How Long We Spent There: 3 hours Parking: There are two, free car parks and both are a good size. The first is for Shepherd Meadows itself and is on Marshall Road (GU47 0FJ will take you past the car park, which is on the opposite side of the road than the residential houses). The other is next to Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area (GU47 9BJ). To find Shepherd Meadows from this car park, take the path to the left of the play area and walk past the balancing pond where you will pick up signs to Shepherd Meadows. Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, butterflies, insects and birds. Information Written: May 2017
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: GU47 0FJ or GU47 9BJ
Cost: Free
Facilities: None at the reserve itself but there is a cafe, toilets, accessible toilets, a picnic area, ice creams and snacks available at Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area – so opt for the second car park if these are important.
Buggies: Buggy friendly
Cost of Parking: Free
Information Checked: April 2023
Ratings
Our visit to Shepherd Meadows and Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
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