Shiplake to Henley-on-Thames, a pre vernal equinox stroll.
The River Thames, Rotherfield Greys village, Greys Court (NT) and historic Henley
Book 1 Walk 9
Length : 18 km or 11 miles
Toughness : 4 out of 10
Getting there : Catch the 9:42 am train from London Paddington (9:50 Ealing Broadway) to Shiplake with a change at Twyford.
Meeting point : Shiplake Station at 10:43 am
Tickets : Buy a cheap day return to Henley-on-Thames
Brief Description
After the trial by wind and hail a fortnight ago and by floods and mud last week, I hope this walk will be relatively free of surprises!
The pub is 10 km into the walk, so hence the earlier start. (This will also allow a bit more time for walkers who may wish to visit the NT Greys Court)
You may find full details of the walk here
The pub is 10 km into the walk, so hence the earlier start. (This will also allow a bit more time for walkers who may wish to visit the NT Greys Court)
You may find full details of the walk here
Suggested Lunch stop
Suggested Tea stop
Chocolate Theatre Café t: 01491 411412
Maps
OS Explorer : 171
Return train times
Trains return from Henley-on-Thames at 15:24 | 16:20 | 17:46 | 18:17
7 comments:
why the early train Arthur?!
can't get the normal discounts..
Does this train stop Ealing?
Just fyi, if you are buying a ticket from Paddington it costs £15.80 return on the train specified, whereas even with a Network Card it would be £13 on a train an hour later, so no massive difference.
Return is £6.95 from/to BZ6.
Is anyone intending to do this expensive walk? jfk
Yes, two of us
n=17 on this walk, including two late starters who caught us at lunchtime - an excellent turnout for a midweek walk and even more so for a Thames walk. The weather was w=cloudy_but_with_sun_breaking_through_in_the_afternoon, perhaps a bit disappointing compared to some recent days but pleasant nonetheless.
Lunch in the Maltster's Arms met with the approval of even our more gourmet members, and staff were very friendly. Some stopped for tea/coffee at Grey's Court (which has moved its tea room to a slightly less scenic location), and most of us stopped again at The Chocolate Cafe in Henley.
We saw lots of bluebells, but none in flower, and lots of daffodils and celandines (the latter shut against the cold east winds). Birdsong was curiously muted.
My best moment of the day was on the train home when I realised that THERE WAS NO MUD ON MY BOOTS, the first time I have been able to say this on an SWC walk since September.
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