SWC Book 1 – Walk 51: Henley to Pangbourne (via Greys Court) T=1.51
Distance: 14.5 miles or 23.2 km for those more
metrically minded with shorter options available – including doing the normal
walk 51 route with a shorter morning (11.9 miles/19.2 km)
Difficulty: 6
out of 10 for the main walk
Train: Take the 9:27
AM Great Western Didcot Parkway train from London Paddington, changing at Twyford (arrive 10:07; depart 10:16),
arriving at Henley at 10:28. Return trains from Pangbourne are at 22 and
52 past the hour. Buy a day return to Pangbourne.
From recollection when updating this walk years
ago for the republication of book 1, several stretches of it are along charming
country lanes – which should hopefully limit the mud factor. As a twist on the
usual route (and to add a few miles), I thought it would be interesting to try the
suggested option to start the walk with the reverse of Book 1 Walk 9(Shiplake to Henley) as far as Rotherfield Greys where you can pick up the standard
walk 51 route. You can find more information about the walk and download the
walk instructions here. Since we will be doing the reverse of book 1 walk 9 to start -- best to also bring a map of that route or a GPX file....
The recommended lunch pub(s) on this version of the walk would be
the Maltsters Arms (01491 628 400) in Rotherfield Greys or the Unicorn
(01491 628 674) in Kingwood. Sadly, many of the other pubs on this former “pub
crawl” walk have closed….
Once in Pangbourne, post walk refreshies can had
at Café St. Louis or various pubs….
Enjoy the walk!
1 comment:
8 were on the designated train, 7 of whom set off on the suggested extended route which worked well. It was interesting doing the familiar route in reverse...we arrived at the Maltsters Arms about midday, so fine for an early lunch -- but sadly, it too is now closed -- for refurbishment apparently....but there is also a sign up inquiring if anyone wants to manage a pub....so we shall see if it reopens.....On we went, passing a splendid churchyard rich in color with a trifecta of yellow daffs, white snow drops and purple crocuses....one picnicked here...further on we went, passing the Red Lion which is still closed but has a sign saying, it will be back under new management. A local with whom we chatted said it would be some time as the property required lots of work...Even further on we went to the Unicorn where we found a renegade table of 6 walkers who had taken a later train and had done the standard walk 51 route...We settled into our table and all enjoyed a very nice lunch indeed -- interesting options, well prepared and generous in serving size...definitely a keeper... During lunch, another walker appeared off a pink bus and he had drinks and set off with the late starters who finished lunch a bit before us. After enjoying our sumptuous lunch we set off for the afternoon stretch passing a truly derilict Reformation also with signage looking for new management...We saw yet another late starting walker at the bus stop in front of the former thai/indian restaurant (now housing development), making for n=15 under w=mostly-sunny-mild-conditions. On the final approach to Pangborne, the alpacas were out in force and we caught sight of the late starters...In Pangbourne, our group went to the Swan on the river near the station where all enjoyed post walk bevies...2 left on the 17:52 and the others managed to let a few trains go, finally catching the 19:22. A fun day out!
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