Length: 9.5 miles (15 km) 2/10
This walk worked well a year ago at this time so I'm giving it another outing. It is an undemanding walk of pleasant valleys and woodland. It's similar to the Shiplake to Henley walk, but in the opposite direction, and the lunch pub on the latter is closed on Wednesdays.
Last year we encountered a problematic diversion from the Thames path on the way into Henley, caused by the long-term closure of Marsh Lock Bridge. There is now a new Thames path diversion in place which actually works better with this walk – see this link on the Thames path website. We pick it up in paragraph 19 of the walk directions. If you click on Diversion Guide: to Henley you'll get a blow by blow pictorial guide to the route: we follow it from the "narrow footpath between wooden fences" on para 3 of the second page. And there’s a GPX for the diversion below. It's a detour from the Thames but I don't think it makes our walk any longer.
However, you could finish the walk in Shiplake and avoid this issue altogether.
Travel: Get the 1008 from Paddington, changing at Twyford (1041/1045) to arrive at Henley-on-Thames 10.57. Returns at 00 and 30 (via Shiplake 4 minutes later).
Or
Using Elizabeth line, “Reading” train to Twyford, leaves Tottenham Court Road at 0942, Paddington 0948, Ealing Broadway 0956 and gets you to Twyford at 1033.
Lunch: You should get to the The Bottle & Glass (5.5 miles/ 9km) by 1.30; it serves food till 3. Two courses £19 including glass of wine. You will need to allow time as this is not a quick pub lunch option, but with a Shiplake finish there should be no problem getting back in the daylight. Picknickers should stop in the woods before the pub.
Tea: numerous options in Henley. The Chocolate Cafe (01491 411412) and the Catherine Wheel (Wetherspoons, 01491848488) are popular with Saturday walkers.
Shortening the walk: Finishing in Shiplake (paragraph 20 of the instructions) shortens the walk to 8 miles/13 km.
For walk directions, map and GPX click here.
T=swc.373
GPX for the Thames Path diversion: #/test/sandy/Walk-373-temp-diversion-route-into-Henley.gpx
(Note this covers the diversion only; you’ll need one for the main walk too)
4 comments:
Planning to come. Might swim at Marsh Lock.
On 16.00 train back. Got completely confused by diversion directions & ended up catching a timely bus 2 stops along the A road to Mill Lane, then walked down to rejoin the Thames Path at Marsh Lock. Didn't swim! - didn't feel safe with the light going. Enjoyed the walk to the Bottle & Glass pub & £19 gourmet lunch there.
Sorry you got confused about the diversion Catriona, it sounds like you missed the start which was more obviously signposted going in the other direction. Those of us who did it found it to be a very pretty route through Harpsden Wood, worth doing even if there as another route. And likewise, we didn't feel a swim looked too inviting.
So to sum up, #18 people in #misty-but-dry weather. All but three stopped in the pub at least for drinks. All but one non-diner walked to Henley where we dispersed to tea, Wetherspoons or the station. The remainder of the diners walked to Shiplake where they caught the 1600 train.
I should add that I think all agreed this was an excellent walk for this time of year with magnificent autumn colours, and the “diversion route” does dovetail well with the main walk, as it includes the aforementioned pretty wood and also keeps some riverside walking at the end. But I’d try a bit harder to integrate it into the directions if doing it again.
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