From the station, you make your way to the Thames and turn upstream past the
mouth of the Colne and under Staines Bridge, site of the only Roman bridge
across the Thames outside of London, before turning through old Staines and
under one of many busy roads into Staines Moor. The moor is dominated by the
meandering Colne, many low-lying flooded areas, bulrushes and reeds, scattered
trees, imposing bramble bushes and myriads of very old anthills, as well as a
varied birdlife all year round.
This variation of the main walk leads further through Staines Moor onto a modest rise
for surround views and back along the Colne and the Wraysbury River (an
anabranch of the Colne) to the town centre and railway station.
Refreshments: Plenty of options, see the walk directions pdf for details.
For detailed route maps, gpx/kml files, photos and walk directions click here. T=short.72.a
1 comment:
A proper rain-bearing thunderstorm was bearing down on Waterloo station just as the posted train was due to depart, and that (or another) thunderstorm was still at it when the n=4 of us disembarked at Staines.
We did get started nevertheless, but soon bailed out into The Beehive pub, as the heavy rain (now mixed with hail) didn't show any signs of abating. This was a proper throwback to 1980s (or even 1960s) pub life.
No rain inside though but cheap beer, so definitely a good choice.
On then as the skies started to clear. And clear they did! By the time we had wound our way to the Thames and through Staines village to the moor, blue sky was dominating and it stayed that way until the end. On the moor we saw ducks, egrets, wild ponies and grazing cattle, loads of anthills and eerie mist rising from the wet grasslands in the evening sun.
Due to our early pub stop we arrived at the pre-booked table in I Terroni about 15 mins late, but no worry. Food and service were good, but worries started to seep in when we found out that all London bound trains from Staines were cancelled.
After a brief flirtation with the idea of checking into the Premier Inn opposite (£64), we checked bus options to nearby train or tube lines. One left from opposite the restaurant towards Hatton Cross tube within 2 minutes of us paying.
w=thunder-lightning-and-hard-rain-to-blue-skies
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