17.0km (10.6 miles) Toughness 3 out of 10.
This figure-of-9 walk walk, through Wind in the Willows country, first passes artist Stanley Spencer’s former house, then ventures into the hills, with views over the Thames Valley. Later, it drops down to the Thames and returns to Cookham for lunch. The afternoon follows a pretty stretch of the Thames Path to Maidenhead. En route, you could, if you’d rather, cross the river and finish in Taplow. Nothing to stop you dropping out at Cookham, either - maybe after a visit to the Stanley Spencer Gallery. (Adm. £7 last entry 4:00).
Trains:
Take the 10:20 Elizabeth line train from Paddington (Ealing Broadway 10:28). Change at Maidenhead (arr. 10:58, dep 11:03 onto the Marlow train, reaching Cookham at 11:10.
Return from Maidenhead at 12 and 41(both Elizabeth line) or xx:27 (Great Western).
Return from Taplow at xx:15 and 44 (on the Elizabeth line)
Return from Cookham at xx:44
Get a return to Cookham.
Freedom Pass holders can travel free on the Elizabeth line but would need a ticket (either single or return) from Maidenhead to Cookham.
Lunch: Before Cookham, the Bounty pub (tel 01628 520 056), by the river, serves basic pub grub.
The suggested place for lunch in Cookham is the Kings Arms (tel 01628 530 667) in the High Street. Alternatives include The Ferry (tel 01628 525 123), and the Bel and the Dragon (tel 01628 521 263),
Tea: On the way into Maidenhead, the terrace bar at Boulter’s Lock (tel 01628 621 291) is an attractive place to stop for tea (this would also suit defectors to Taplow) or, nearer Maidenhead, there's Jenners Café. Open till 5.
Directions here T=1.24
Sunday, 4 February 2024
Sunday Walk: Cookham to Maidenhead (or circular)
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Once again Paddington was at a standstill - this time due to a trespasser on the line near Ealing Broadway. It took the railway police an age (and far too long) to catch the offender - so incoming trains were held outside EB for some two hours, and nothing initially left Paddington. I was joined on the London platform by five others - all CLOGies (two with dual "nationality" - SWC and CLOG) who opted for todays SWC walk. Hence I was in very strange, alien company but managed to hold my own as we waited patiently for any train to leave Paddington towards Maidenhead. Fun was had (not really) as we got on then off a number of 'Liz line trains which kept changing their destination - or being cancelled. Eventually a chocker block 'Liz line train departed with us on board and we reached Maidenhead horribly behind schedule. We opted not to wait forty minutes for the next Maidenhead to Marlow service but instead start our walk in Maidenhead. We joined the "Green Way" - a change to the Thames path - and enjoyed an easy, relaxing walk besides a stream then over fields, coming out in Cookham some 400 metres west of the town centre.
We had a reservation at the Kings Head and four of us enjoyed a very good lunch there, with excellent, friendly service. Our two sandwichers sat in the bar area and patiently waited for us diners to finish our meals. (Nice CLOG influence - SWCers would have pushed off without so much as a goodbye !). In the pub a group of four soon arrived, having driven to Cookham and waited at its railway station for our non-arrival before setting off on a version of today's posted walk - so we can report n=10.
After our lunch the Paddington six set off on a return walk to Maidenhead, this time by the Thames path, passing Clivedon on the opposite bank. Reaching Maidenhead town centre we called in at the Bear 'Spoons pub on the High Street, where tea, coffee and beers were consumed before we proceeded to the railway station. A short wait for a 'Liz line train and we were soon back in London.
Weather report: w=very-mild-cloudy-cum-overcast-dry-with-a-gentle-afternoon-breeze
We managed to salvage a very pleasant day's walking following an inauspicious start and the CLOGies proved not to be too alien after all and half decent company ! But walks out of Paddington seem to be a lottery these days. My Oxford walk posted 'twixt Christmas-New Year was badly affected by a station standstill and there have been several other incidents in recent times which have spoilt walks out of Paddington. But good to read travel to and from the SWC Henley-Pangbourne walk the day before us was straightforward - lucky them !
There are countless problems with the lack of power supply in West London for the Elizabeth line and numerous walks missed trying to travel to walks. Check before you leave home with TFL. Apparently there are insufficient sub stations to power the number of scheduled trains which is even a problem for new housing developments. The infrastructure in West London is old and needs upgrading.
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