Goring circular via Aldworth and maybe Moulsford
Length: 18km/11.2 miles or 20km/12.4 miles, 4/10
Starting with views over the Thames, then up on to the ridgeway, down to Aldworth and a characterful pub. After the pub, the main route goes back to Streatley over more hills, but it is also possible to switch on to the route of walk SWC 49 Cholsey to Goring, heading northeast over Moulsford Downs and finishing along the Thames with a possible swimming spot. Thanks to Stargazer for suggesting the alternative finish and for the headline!
Trains: 1008 from Paddington (Reading 1053) arriving 1105. You could make your way to Reading on the Elizabeth line and change there, but it's a slow journey - 0948 from Paddington, 0956 Ealing Broadway. Late starters happy with a tight connection could get the 1023 Paddington to Oxford with 5 minutes to change at Reading. Return trains at around 18 and 48 (a few minutes earlier or later after 5 pm).
Lunch: The Bell Inn Aldworth, RG8 9SE (01635 578272) has been in the same family since the 18thC. Twice CAMRA pub of the year. Lunch served noon – 2.45pm. It is 7.5 km from the start of the walk.
Tea: Pierreponts cafe in Goring (01491 874464) is open till 5. According to the walk description it does delicious cakes, light meals and refreshments which you can also take out to eat by the nearby weir on the Thames. Across the Thames at Streatley there's also the up-market Swan (01491 878800), and there's a Tesco Express near the station.
Shortening the walk: Streatley Youth Hostel (YHA) have produced a 12.5km (8 miles) version of the main walk. Their Goring via The Bell pub at Aldworth Circular is almost the same in the morning, with a shorter but hillier route at the start. The afternoon's return route is 2 miles (3 km) shorter.
For walk directions, map and GPX click here. For the alternative finish via Moulsford you will also need directions for walk SWC 49 Cholsey to Goring.
T=swc.17
2 comments:
DearSandy Thanks for posting this walk.Ended up at The Swan where I had a pot of tea for 2 40 with fab views Best Jane
Thank you Jane! #10 on this #hot-hot-hot walk. All stopped at the Bell for some kind of refreshments and we discussed tactics for the afternoon. One minimised their heat exposure by walking back to Goring reversing the morning route. The rest of us all did the main circular route, grateful for more shade but still finding the afternoon long after our early lunch stop. Most of us piled into the Catherine Wheel, the nearest pub to Goring station, for more rehydration before getting the 1750.
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