SWC Book 2 – Walk 8: Marlow Circular t=2.8
Distance: 13.2 miles or 21.3 km for those more
metrically minded OR 14.7 miles/23.6 km with the alternate ending
Difficulty: 4
out of 10
Train: Take the 9:57AM
Great Western Didcot train from London Paddington,
changing at Maidenhead (arrive 10:28; depart 10:35), arriving at Marlow 10.58. Return
trains (all requiring a change at Maidenhead) are at 01 past the hour (except
for 20:06). Buy a day return to Marlow.
This is a varied walk exploring a picturesque
section of the Thames and then passing over and through some wooded hills. You
can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.
Your are spoiled for lunch options with a
choice of the Flower Pot Hotel (01491 547 721) in Aston (6 miles/10 km
into the walk) and the Stag & Huntsman (01491 571 221) in
Hambleton (8 miles/12 km into the walk). Please call ahead to confirm availability.
Tea can be had at various locations back in
Marlow with Burgers and the George and Dragon being suggested.
Enjoy the walk!
2 comments:
What’s the meeting time and point please?
Our number may have been reduced by the appointed train not stopping at Ealing Broadway, but n=9 assembled at Marlow. A w=sunny_morning_cloudy_afternoon Off we went, along the river, crossing side to side at every available bridge. This side, that side, even a bit down the middle.
Eventually, the eagerly awaited Flower Pot was reached. But, readers, it was shut!! Shut shut shut. Shut until the New Year. After a spell bawling and howling like banshees, we picked ourselves up and resolutely agreed to carry on to the Stag and Huntsman like the sturdy Saturday walkers we were. Our troubles weren’t over, though. En route we had a protracted wait at Hambledon Lock for three boats to go through.
When we got there, they were having an ‘event’. For ex-pat South Africans. How come so many in the Chilterns? What do they do for biltong? Add a sprinkling of charity walkers and us. The place was packed and there was a big queue for service. Once ordered, however, meals came quick and we managed to commandeer two tables.
We set off again at 3. Up a bloody big hill where poor Mr Tiger was soon left behind. Left to rely on satellite technology and a dog-eared book 2 all the way through the extensive woods, up hill, down dale until Marlow was reached. Poor thing.
There, he reestablished contact with two of the others at a tea shop, called Strawberry something… nice cakes. (Mr Tiger had a chocolate covered doughnut with apricot jam in). They had lost sight of the others who, presumably, had raced on and got the 5:01. The three laggards got the 6:01 after a brief sojourn in the Donkey, where a kindly benefactor bought Mr Tiger a drink.
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