Length: 24.2 km (15.0 mi) [shorter options by taking buses]
Ascent/Descent:
220m
Net
Walking Time: 5 ¼ hours
Toughness:
5/10
or
Length: 27.5 km (17.1 mi)
Ascent/Descent:
425m;
Net
Walking Time: 6 ½ hours
Toughness:
8/10
Take
the 09.42 Reading train from
Paddington (Ealing 09.50, Slough
10.10), change at Twyford (arr. 10.30, dep. 10.38), arrive Henley-on-Thames
10.50.
Missed the 09.42? Take the 09.50 to Slough (10.06) and change onto the above Twyford train.
Missed the 09.42? Take the 09.50 to Slough (10.06) and change onto the above Twyford train.
Return
trains:
16.24, 17.09 (shave off 18 mins by
changing at Maidenhead onto a faster train), 17.46 (via Reading), 18.17 (shave
off 12 mins by going via Reading), 18.48,
19.18....
[going via Reading requires a dearer ticket, in principle]
[going via Reading requires a dearer ticket, in principle]
This
walk had an outing in early March, following which the longer option has been
fully written up. Some of us will take the opportunity to check the walk
directions for that version!
In
many respects this is a similar walk to the Book 2 Walk 6 Henley Circular (via
Stonor and Pishill) walk. It’s a bit longer and (the main walk) a fair bit flatter but both go
along one side of a valley in open countryside on the opening leg and return to
Henley on the other side in the afternoon, often through attractive woodland.
This walk, however, also finishes with a lovely, peaceful Thames path back to
Henley. However,
this walk covers completely different territory to the Book 2 favourite
visiting new villages and countryside not incorporated in other SWC Henley and
Chilterns walks in the area.
The
longer version loops through Stonor
(Deer) Park, the decision point is after 12.7 km.
Note: apart from being a
very nice walk in a very scenic part of the Southeast, there is also a Midsomer
Murders theme to this walk, details of which you’ll find on the webpage or in
the pdf.
Lunch: The Stag & Huntsman in Hambledon (6.8 km/4.2 mi, food to 14.30) or The Frog in Skirmett (10.9 km/6.8 mi, food to 14.15) or The Bull & Butcher in Turville (12.3 km/7.6 mi, food to 14.30).
Tea: plenty options in Henley, you will have your favourites, else see the webpage or the pdf.
Tea: plenty options in Henley, you will have your favourites, else see the webpage or the pdf.
For
walk directions, map, height profile, some photos and gpx/kml
files click here.t=swc.223
Next Week: Box Hill & Westhumble Circular or to Dorking
Next Week: Box Hill & Westhumble Circular or to Dorking
2 comments:
I'm thinking of getting a bus at the start, hoping to meet up in Hambledon. The plan is to get the 1018 from Ealing Broadway (1011 Paddington) arr Henley 1119. The 800 leaves Norman Avenue near the station at 1145, arriving Mill End 1200.
On a w=hot-and-sunny day: n=11 walkers.
9 had taken the posted early train (early for mid-week), 1 had struggled to get out of his patch of West London due to tube and bus disruptions and was half an hour behind, 1 other was behind as planned, taking a bus from Henley to Mill End. The Frog in Skirmett was reached at 13.15 by all but 1 very fast walker, and a table inside was chosen over yet more sun exposure out in the lovely garden. Good food, quickly enough served, in very pleasant surroundings.
1 enthusiast added the excursion up the hill to the windmill by Turville to the route, all else sped on along the long version of the walk, which includes Stonor Park. The enthusiast nearly caught the main group again, in Stonor Park, but got sucked in by the promise of tea and ice cream to divert to the new cafe by the visitor centre.
Said extension is fairly hilly, but also very scenic, with splendid views of Stonor House and its ancient stone circle, and up Stonor Valley, and later across the Thames Valley.
On the home straight along the Thames one could admire the extensive prep works for the Henley Regatta in 2 weeks time.
18.17 train for some, The Angel pub for others.
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