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
It is 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 (although last year when this was mooted it was very hot and we all voted against extending the walk). Thanks to Stargazer for suggesting this alternative finish.
Trains: 1008 from Paddington (Reading 1053) arriving Goring & Streatley 1105 OR 1015 (Paddington to Cardiff) changing at Reading on to the Goring train. 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. 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. Big garden. 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. Last year we stopped at the Catherine Wheel “the oldest pub in Goring” which is handy for the station. 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 this 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 etc. see L=swc.17. For the alternative finish via Moulsford you will also need directions for walk SWC 49 Cholsey to Goring.
3 comments:
There is a delightful swimming spot between mouslford and goring…. A shame it was skipped on the scorcher last year!
N=20 The day w=started-cloudy-humid-but-ended-sunny A mix of picnickers and pubbers in Aldworth where the Bell had interesting ciders as well as their own-brewed Five Giants beer. The mild, however, had a disappointing tang to it. After, the group split, some for the full walk, 3 for the YHA walk and the rest for the Moulsford ending.
Aldworth church, where the giants are, holds a tea afternoon 2:30 to 5 on Wednesdays. Just too late for us. (Should have stayed for more cider).
The YHA 3 were slowed by blackberry picking and scrumping. Not to mention the big hill. Oops sorry, just did. That route is mostly on roads (which makes it a bit unexciting in summer but ideal for winter).
The 2 conventional groups met up at the Catherine Wheel. Some of the Moulsford group were encountered at the station. Some of them had been splashing about in the river. I hope the fish and ducks are OK.
Four of us had a refreshing dip in the river at Moulsford, a lovely spot!
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