Henlan one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked from Henley to Lane End on a bright but cold April day after recent heavy rain.
Excellent route. Starting in picturesque Henley, along a wide stretch of the Thames with impressive white residences on the other side, then to Hambleden Lock and breathtakingly pretty Mill End weir, before wandering into Hambleden village (church, pub and shop) and the unspoilt Hambleden valley. You climb the ridge at Pheasants, in woodland, to reach Lane End.
At Henley there were rowers, as always, and people erecting tents for some upcoming function.
The last mile before Lane End was hard going in a swamp, then a swampy wood. Lane End has a church, shop, excellent café (Strawberry Grove - check opening times) and pub in the centre, and a larger shop about a mile away in housing.
I too highly rate this Slow Way.

A pretty strightforward route, except at Pheasant's Hill, where you have to go round three sides of a square of roads rather than stright through some houses, as indicated. Much of the first part is through woods and fields, with a bit of road walking. At Parmoor you can do a detour to see Lady Ryder's Memorial Garden. Hambleden is a pleasant village with a pu, the Stag and Huntsman (though I don't recommend the cappuccino). You cross the river at Hambleden Lock and follow the Thames Path to Henley.

Henley to Lane End (Henlan 1) review.

Note: I walked Lane End to Henley.

An excellent Slow Way that crosses fields and woods, to then follow the scenic Hambleden Valley, and finally a stretch of the Thames Path into Henley.

Lane End village has the Grouse & Ale pub, a welcoming café and a convenience store. The route heads south down a lane; leaving it for a winding path through woods (Photo 1).

The route crosses fields (Photo 2) and turns south down a quiet lane.

The descent SW into the Hambleden Valley is via a woodland walk. Part of this is quite steep (Photo 3). It was at the height of summer, but I still had to watch my step on a slippery section.

The valley walk south into Hambleden is along The Chiltern Way. There are great views west over the Hamble Brook. On my walk, a couple of fields held livestock; including these horses finding some shade (Photo 4). These fields can be avoided by taking the lane which runs parallel to the route.

The picturesque village of Hambleden has a café and the Stag & Huntsman pub.

The route south to the Thames is across fields with more great views (Photo 5). Several red kites circled overhead to accompany me.

The Slow Way crosses the Thames via Hambleden Lock. Note the Hambleden Mill (Photo 6) which supplied flour upriver to the Huntley & Palmers biscuit factory in Reading.

The walk follows the Thames Path National Trail into Henley. On my walk there were plenty of rowing crews training for the imminent Henley Regatta (Photo 7).

I highly rate this Slow Way. The lanes were quiet and there was a variety of landscapes to enjoy. I particularly appreciated the shaded woods during the summer heat!.

I walked this from Lane End to Henley, on a dry, but cloudy afternoon, without having substantial rain in the last few weeks.

In this direction there is very little uphill, as you're coming down from the Chilterns towards the Thames. There were some steep (downhill) sections, which in the other direction will be ... taxing. There were lots of woody areas, but also open fields and some road walking, but not in any dangerous spots. A few fields had lots of sheep in it. You have to cross the locks where you might have to wait a little before the gates are closed. That didn't take more than 5 minutes though. The walk along the Thames is pleasant, and it would have been better if there wouldn't have been a regatta on. I would have rated this as a 5 star, if it wasn't for some safe road walking.

Easy to get to by train to Henley and then a very pleasant and easy walk alongside the River Thames for the first part and then footpaths.

There was a herd of cattle on the Thames path, just before Hambledon Lock and noticed this deterred a lot of people from walking onwards. There was no alternative way past them.

Crossing the lock, there is a long twisting boardwalk above the water and a weir. This may not be suitable for people with vertigo.

The footpath through the field just before Hambledon contained sheep, so any dogs must be kept on leads.

Lovely pub at Hambledon (The Stag & Huntsman), but you do need to book ahead.

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