Henley to Maidenhead (Henmai 1) review.

A very pleasant walk from Henley which heads east, following parts of The Chiltern Way and Thames Path; then turns south through landscape managed by the Berkshire College of Agriculture, to end with an urban walk into Maidenhead.

The Slow Way starts at Henley Station and the route passes plenty of amenities before crossing over the Thames. It follows The Chiltern Way through Remenham Wood (Photo 1) and then across fields with good views north down towards the river.

There’s a good break point at The Honey Pot in Aston. The route then joins the Thames Path as it leaves the riverside to cross a deer park (Photo 2). From there the route follows the riverside path (Photo 3), skipping only a small loop, to reach Hurley.

Hurley has a village shop and two pubs: The Olde Bell (Photo 4) and The Rising Sun. The Slow Way leaves Hurley via a footpath which ascends to the appropriately named High Wood (Photo 5).

The attractive wood is managed by the Berkshire College of Agriculture and there are signs asking walkers to keep to the current designated path, which might not necessarily follow the exact route.

The Slow Way descends towards the college grounds. On my visit I was diverted slightly from the expected route, via a statue of Diana, but it was clear which way to go. Head south along the central lane past a zoo and equestrian centre, turning left at the main house.

The route then returns to field footpaths. The Crown pub at Burchett’s Green was closed for business at the time of my walk (May 2022). The route turns east to arrive at Maidenhead Thicket: once the haunt of highwaymen, but now a series of enjoyable woodland walks (Photo 6).

Cross the motorway footbridge to the carpark. Careful to turn right out of the carpark (not left as I did!) to find the footpath into town. Unfortunately, it is quite a long walk along urban streets to reach the end of the route, at Maidenhead shopping centre.

A really nice route! Walked from Maidenhead to Henley on a sunny Saturday in March 2022.
It takes an hour to walk out of Maidenhead along residential roads (occasional shops for snack top-ups) but then it is delightful through Maidenhead Thicket, Burchetts Green, the college of agriculture, the Thames Path and the grounds of Culham Court, and the walk in to Henley.
There are a couple of kinks in the route that could be ironed out, e.g. on Farm Road in Maidenhead. It is mostly footpaths with gates, but some stiles in the last section. Safe.
Photos:
1. Maidenhead town centre waking up
2. Robin Hood’s Arbour
3. Burchetts Green College of Agriculture
4. View towards river with sheep
5. Culham Court
6. View from Culham Court to the river, with daffodils
7. Early view of Henley.

An enjoyable walk. From Henley it heads up through woods and fields over Remenham Hill, before gently dropping back along the Thames. Good paths, though with 3 stiles. The walk along the Thames is delightful and heads south away from the river through Hurley village (pubs and a shop). Heading up a steep hill from the valley bottom along a very narrow footpath, the route cuts along good paths through Berkshire College of Agriculture grounds to Burchett's Green. Continuing along footpaths through fields and Maidenhead Thickett, the route crosses a footpath over the Motorway into the suburbs of Maidenhead. The final section of the route proceeds along suburban roads into the centre of Maidenhead. A good route, rated 4* in my view because of the lovely river and woodland sections. It's not better still because of the narrow path up hill and the uninspiring (and unavoidable) suburban section into Maidenhead.

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