WALK CHANGE DUE TO LINE CLOSURE
SWC 292: Islip Circular (in reverse)
SWC 49: Cholsey to Goring t=swc.49
Distance: 14.5 miles or 23.5 km
Difficulty: 3 out of 10
Train: Take the 10:08 AM Cholsey-bound Great Western train from London Paddington
Return trains from Goring are at 18 and 48 past the hour Buy a day return to Cholsey
Unfortunately a line closure due to a landslip has cast some doubt on the ability to get to and from Islip......so I have replaced my original walk with this lovely varied route.
This walk offers a fine combination of gentle Oxfordshire countryside, wide grassy horse training gallops, a stretch of the Ridgeway with splendid views from the Berkshire Downs, and a final saunter along the banks of the Thames. Although the walk is fairly long, it has nothing too steep or demanding. The final stretch is along the Thames so should be manageable should the light start to fade.....
The recommended lunch pub is the Red Lion in Blewbury (4 miles/6 km into the walk). Tea and afternoon refreshments can be had at the Wedge & Beetle Boathouse on the Thames.
Enjoy the walk!
1 comment:
A select group of 3 emerged from the train at Cholsey in w=grey-but-dry conditions and set off on route to soon find number n=4 who had taken an earlier train and made an effort to see the Agatha Christie grave -- but was turned back by a flooded field... On we went over the gently undulating terrain with nice views despite the clouds. All had lunch at the quirky Red Lion before continuing onwards again with fine views from the Ridgeway and limited mud.... On the decent to the Thames we noted that one of our party had dropped out of sight and assumed a short-cut had been found....Three carried on to the Beetle & Wedge arriving just as darkness fell...We enjoyed a quick drink then set-off along the Thames in very atmospheric darkness on a slightly slithery path....so decided to don head-torches.... Definite signs of recent flooding were seen -- but the route itself was passable -- just slippery in places... Then with the bridge to Goring insight about 40 meters of the final 100 up to the main road were flooded to mid-calf with no escape! So, 3 with very wet feet rejoined the fourth at the Miller of Mansfield for a warming and drying beverage before catching the 19:48.
This is a very enjoyable and varied walk with limited mud in winter....Although not mentioned in the walk notes -- there is a very clear and obvious shortcut to Goring along the Ridgeway that skips the Thames section....probably cutting out 2 miles or so...worth keeping in mind for winter postings.
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