Length: 14.2 km (8.8 miles). Toughness: 2/10
10:45 TfL Reading train from Paddington (Ealing Broadway 10:53), arriving Maidenhead at 11:25. Buy a return to Marlow, unless you've got a Freedom Pass and don't mind a longer wait at Maidenhead for a TfL service on the way back, in which case you'll only need a single for the return leg from Marlow to Maidenhead.
Return trains from Marlow are hourly at xx:55, changing at Maidenhead.
This is an easy walk along one of the prettiest stretches of the Thames, where the wooded escarpment below Cliveden is said to be “especially lovely when the leaves are turning in autumn”. If you want a pub lunch there are at least three establishments† in Cookham to choose from, all summarised in the walk document.
The afternoon leg includes a stretch along a wooded ridge with fine views of the Thames. Marlow's independent tea places might have boarded up their shop fronts by the time you arrive, but the town isn't short of refreshment places along its High Street.
You'll need to bring the directions from the L=swc.56 page.
† Odd pub name: “Bel and the Dragon” is a biblical reference to two episodes added to the Book of Daniel, although neither tale provides a convincing explanation for the name of a gastropub.
1 comment:
What a lovely day we all had in w=glorious_sunshine_and_cool_breeze! Ten walkers came off the train. As we approached the turning point from the Thames Path to Cookham, the 'walk inspector' made a surprising appearance. He was waiting for us... at one of the most scenic spots on this walk, dressed in autumn red in harmony with the tree leaves on the other side of the Thames. So n=11. At Cookham, all avoided crowded pubs despite three to choose from, 3 had picnic on the green opposite The Crown, 7 had sandwich in the church yard, 2 went to the Teapot Tea Shop and lunched in the back garden and were later joined by 4 for tea. After lunch, 1 caught train back from Cookham. The walk inspector and one other followed the advertised route and were not seen again until they miraculously re-appeared at Marlow station apparently after tea (and Cake?). 8 others decided to ignore the instruction and followed the sun-kissed Thames in the afternoon all the way to Marlow. All caught 3:55pm train to Maidenhead. At the station, interests for a dinner out was gathering momentum. Gate Crash 'The Fat Duck Restaurant' near Maidenhead did come across our mind, but enthusiasm for 'Pho at Ealing' was overwelming, off we went, A table for 7 was booked on the train, we arrived at Ealing bustling high street just before 5pm. Spring rolls, classics Pho soup, hot & spicy vegan soup, fresh mint tea.... and more, all delicious and filling, just what one needed after a day's 'hard work', walking, chatting and more chatting... A grand day out with friends, old and new. Thanks Sean for posting this nice walk.
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