Thagor three

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Thatcham to Goring 3 (Thagor 3) review.

Edited from Thagor 2, walked in June 2024.

A longer Slow Way which takes an indirect route via stretches of the Kennet and Avon Canal, and the Thames Path.

Note: I walked Goring to Thatcham.

The route from Goring to Whitchurch follows lanes to reach the Thames Path National Trail. It leaves the river at a former ferry point where the towpath switched sides. The undulating wooded path is steep in places (Photo 1).

There is an urban walk from Whitchurch, across the bridge and through Pangbourne. It leaves town along a quiet lane for about a mile and a half (Photo 2).

The route into Bradfield is along Dark Lane. Despite the name, it is an attractive walk with minimal traffic (early afternoon) and a view down into the valley (Photo 3). There is a footpath across a field [SU603732] which on my walk was concealed by growing crops. I instead kept to the lanes.

Bradfield village is dominated by its college. I dropped into St Andrews (Photo 4) to find the grave of George Blackall Simonds. The sculptor is known in Reading for the Maiwand Lion in Forbury Gardens.

The Slow Way follows the River Pang out of the village (Photo 5). It leaves the river for a zigzag series of footpaths across fields and through woods (Photos 6 & 7). Patches looked like they could get very muddy.

Beenham has a break point at the Six Bells (Photo 8). The Slow Way continues via a footpath, and a lane with no verge which required vigilance (Photo 9).

Intrigued, I took a short detour to visit the Benedictine monastery I noticed on my map [SU576681]. Douai Abbey was welcoming to visitors (Photo 10). Check their website for the church timetable of worship [douaiabbey.org.uk].

Footpaths and lanes (Photo 11) lead to the A4 Bath Road at Midgham. There is a break point at The Coach & Horses.

The Slow Way follows the Kennel and Avon Canal towpath into Thatcham (Photo 12). There is a short urban walk into the town centre.

I was initially sceptical about this Slow Way. It is three miles longer than the already excellent Thagor 1. It does, however, explore an alternative route I greatly enjoyed. It can easily be split into shorter walks with the good transport connections: a regular train service at Pangbourne, and the Newbury-Reading bus along the A4.

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