A Walk Through History, Right on Our Doorstep
If you’re visiting Stables Coffee Co at Buckler’s Park, you’re perfectly placed to explore one of Crowthorne’s most unique walking spots.
Buckler’s Forest isn’t just somewhere to stretch your legs, it’s a landscape shaped by innovation, history, and careful restoration. What feels like peaceful woodland today was once a centre for pioneering vehicle research that helped shape modern road safety in the UK.
The Story Behind Buckler’s Forest
Before becoming a public green space, this site formed part of the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), where vehicle testing and road safety research took place for decades.
At the heart of the site was a vast circular testing area known as “The Pan”. Covering around 14 acres and measuring approximately 270 metres in diameter, it formed part of a figure-of-eight track system used to test vehicle handling, braking, and skid control.
To simulate real driving conditions, engineers installed a spray system fed by an irrigation tank hidden within the surrounding woodland. Creating The Pan required a complete reshaping of the landscape, including filling in a natural valley and burying an existing stream beneath the surface.
That stream has since been restored as part of the redevelopment, reflecting the wider transformation of the site from a testing facility into a natural environment.
A Site with a Story to Tell
This isn’t just a former test track, it’s a place that quietly played a role in British engineering and culture.
From the late 1960s through to 2013, the skid pan remained in active use for research into braking performance and tyre behaviour. In 1979, parts of the cult film Quadrophenia were filmed here, and in 1985 the Sinclair C5, one of the UK’s most recognisable experimental vehicles, was tested on-site.
Today, those layers of history are still present, just less obvious at first glance.
From Test Track to Natural Landscape
Buckler’s Forest is now a 100-acre parkland, carefully designed to balance public access with environmental protection.
As you walk through the site, you’ll move between woodland, open grassland, heathland, and wetland areas, all created to support a wide range of habitats. The forest also plays an important role in protecting the nearby Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area, home to rare and sensitive bird species.
It’s this combination of restoration and conservation that gives the space its character.
What You’ll Notice Along the Way
As you explore, there are still subtle reminders of the site’s past woven into the landscape.
The circular shape of The Pan can still be traced, even though it has now been grassed over. Elsewhere, former road layouts and test tracks have been repurposed into walking routes, and features like the banked curve hint at the site’s original purpose.
You may also notice the fire lookout tower rising above the trees, along with Garages Pond and a number of small green utility boxes remnants of the laboratory’s infrastructure that now sit quietly within the forest.
Walk Routes & Distances
There are several well-marked routes through Buckler’s Forest, making it easy to tailor your walk depending on how much time you have.
A shorter loop of around 1.3km offers a relaxed stroll and can be completed in under an hour, while longer routes extend to approximately 2.4km and 3.6km, taking you further into the landscape and allowing more time to explore.
The paths are accessible and easy to follow, making this a popular spot for families, dog walkers, and anyone looking for a straightforward, enjoyable walk in Crowthorne.
A Quick Note on Safety
While Buckler’s Forest is designed to be enjoyed, it remains a natural environment. Some areas include open water, unfenced ditches, and surfaces that may become slippery in wet conditions. During dry periods, it’s also important to be mindful of fire risk.
Dogs are welcome throughout the site, and visitors are encouraged to help keep the area clean and safe for everyone.
Start or Finish at Stables Coffee Co
One of the best things about Buckler’s Forest is how easily it pairs with a visit to Stables Coffee Co.
Whether you’re heading out for a walk or returning afterwards, it’s the perfect place to pause. Start with a great coffee and something to take with you, or settle in afterwards for a well-earned break.
It’s what makes this one of the most enjoyable walk-and-coffee combinations in Crowthorne simple, local, and genuinely worth making time for.
Plan Your Visit
Buckler’s Forest sits right on the doorstep of Buckler’s Park, making it easy to combine with a visit to us.
Park nearby, grab a coffee, and head straight out into the forest, no planning required.
