Existing problems reported with 269
- The route suggested is not accessible - there is no access to the Buckinghamshire bank of the Thames from Taplow Riverside running north to Cliveden, nor from Cliveden to Hedsor. An alternative is to follow the Berkshire bank to Cookham Bridge and then take the footpath to Hedsor and rejoin the existing route; but an even better (shorter) alternative is to follow the National Trust path from Maidenhead town centre through Maidenhead Commons to Cookham and then over the bridge. Reported 26 Apr 2021
- I walked part of the Wooler to Alnwick route today from Wooler to Eglingham and will complete the route soon and post a review (the part walked today was a fantastic). However there is a problem with the route from Berwick Folly (Way Point 269, map ref 067227) to where the route joins with a bridleway at WayPoint 300, map ref 079221. The route between these points is drawn as a straight line, but it does not follow any footpath or other right of way and it is not over access land for most of the way. I had noted that this part of the route was odd when I reviewed it on an OS map before setting off but assumed that Berwick Folly was an unoccupied derelict property and the route followed an ancient unused byway. However Berwick Folly is a farmhouse with outbuildings converted into very expensive/exclusive looking cottages. The route shown starts by crossing a large very neatly tended private lawn and then into an arable field. We spoke to a charming and helpful resident who told us there had never been any sort of pathway on the SlowWays route and the farmer did not like walkers on even legitimate rights of way over his land! We did find a route sticking to public rights of way until we were into the Access Land and then cutting across to rejoin the SlowWays route which added minimal distance to the walk. I can send you the details of the route I took by email attachment if this would be helpful. Rick Sweeney Reported 15 Jun 2021