Golden Beeches in the Chilterns (Henley via Stonor) t=2.6
Train: 9:08 Elizabeth Line from London Paddington, changing at Twyford (arr, 9:52; dep. 10:08) and arriving at Henley at 10:20. Note, the Liz line is NOT running through Central London on Saturday -- so you must pick it up at Paddington. Return trains from Henley are at 23 and 53 past the hour. Buy a day return to Henley-on-Thames.
Length: 24.2 km (14.8 mi) with new lunch pub diversion via Nettlebed. Shorter option available with a picnic making for a 11.9 mile/19.9 km option.
Difficulty: 6 out of 10
Apologies for the delay in posting.... but I had been keen to do this lovely long walk -- but the lunch pub is closed! Having done a bit of research, I propose those interested in a pub lunch experiment -- take the short cut option at Stonor -- but then extend to Nettlebed to the White Hart and then rejoin the main walk route a little further along. I believe the short cut reduces the main walk by almost 2 miles and the diversion via Nettlebed adds about 3 miles -- so a net 1 mile gain on the main walk (manageable)..... It is of course always possible to do the main walk with shortcut and enjoy a picnic on the hill over looking Stonor House.
Henley is normally thought of as a riverside town but, as this walk demonstrates, it is also on the southern edge of the Chiltern Hills, a charming area of hidden valleys, mixed woodland and farmland, and largely gentle slopes. The walk takes you up one side and down the other of the long valley leading up to Stonor, with plenty of charming views and some fine beechwoods en route. More information on walk and the map can be found here. For those making the diversion to the lunch pub, please bring a map or device with a map......
Lunch: For those experimenting on the diversion to Nettlebed, the White Hart (01491 641245) otherwise a picnic.
Tea: Many options in Henley (see the webpage for details).
2 comments:
Amazingly notwithstanding the early start, the words experimental and the Chilterns, a robust n=12 gathered in the forecourt at Henley Station. Also surprisingly, all but one were interested in the proposed diversion to try a new lunch pub -- so off we set, adjusting the lunch booking as we headed out of town... This is a very lovely walk -- with lots of gentle valleys and nice views -- looking particularly good at this time of year with reduced leaf cover and a good amount of remaining bright patches of the many beech woods in the area. I am happy to report the experiment was a grand success -- and notes have been taken for an update of the written instructions. The new route to Nettlebed is very beautiful through a nature reserve with a few more gentle climbs and descents through a series of woods. The lunch pub in Nettlebed offered a wide range of good food in good portions (some light plates and sandwiches and larger main courses). Our one picnicker did the original main route and confirmed the closed (and rather derelict-looking) status of the Pishill pub. After lunch in Nettlebed most set off on the route intended by the walk poster and again found it very pretty passing along a ridge through another series of fine woods with good color. One did explore an alternate route before eventually turning back and following the same route somewhat behind the main group. The main group arrived on the pavement in the outskirts of Henley with the last of the light at 4:45PM and after some discussion repaired to the Angel along the river to enjoy post walk bevies and wait for the back marker. Really pleased the the new route and new pub were soundly enjoyed by all -- so it can hopefully offer this lovely walk a new lease on life.
almost forgot w=mostly-cloudy-with-some-small-breaks-in-the-afternoon
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