A Midsomer Murder Walk (AKA Henley via Turville)

Henley Circular via Turville t=swc.223

SWC Walk 223: Henley Circular via Turville

Distance: 15 miles or 24 km for those more metrically minded or 17.2 miles/27.5 km if doing the extended option via Stonor Park (shorter options available with bus assist – see instructions)

Difficulty: 5 out of 10 for the main walk; 8 out of 10 for the extended version

Train: Take the 9:38AM Great Western Didcot train from London Paddington, changing at Twyford (arrive 10:07; depart 10:15), arriving at Henley at 10:27. Return trains (all requiring a change at Twyford) are on the hour and half hour (except there is no 16:00 train) until 19:00 when the service becomes hourly on the hour. Buy a day return to Henley-on-Thames.

In hot pursuit of a suspect, this walk investigates several picturesque villages in the Thames Valley and Chilterns that seem to have an unusually high frequency of mysterious happenings....as featured in the Midsomer Murder programs....The morning is fairly flat through a valley to Turville, a picture postcard village. The tempo increases a bit with more hills on the return leg particularly if you do the Stonor extension. You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.

The recommended lunch pub is the Frog Inn (01491 638 996) in Skirmett (7 miles/11 km into the walk) as back-ups the Bull & Butcher (01491 638 283) in Turville (7.9 miles/12.6 km into the walk) and the Chequers Inn (01491 638 335) in Fingest (on a slight detour – 7.5 miles/12 km into the walk). On a Sunday -- always best to call ahead!

Tea can be had at various locations in Henley with favorites being the Angel pub on the river or the Chocolate Café nearby.

Enjoy the walk and keep your eyes peeled for clues!