Description
This is a Slow Ways route connecting Wallingford and Chalgrove.
Know of a better route? Share it here.
This is a Slow Ways route connecting Wallingford and Chalgrove.
Know of a better route? Share it here.
Status
This route has been reviewed by 3 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Walcha one
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 3
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (3)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 7
Surveys
What is this route like?
Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.
Grade 4X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Description | Note | ||
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
Full grading description |
Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.
Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
The narrowest part of the path is 50.0cm (1)
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (1)
Successfully completed
We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.
Recommended by an expert
We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.
Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
5.0% of the route is on roads (1)
5.0% of the route is lit at night (1)
5.0% of the route is paved (1)
70.0% of the route is muddy (1)
10.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)
There is no data on long grass
Report a problem with this data
1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Wallingford
Grid Ref
SU6072189371
Lat / Lon
51.59992° / -1.12469°
Easting / Northing
460,721E / 189,371N
What3Words
cried.lyricist.recline
Chalgrove
Grid Ref
SU6366396920
Lat / Lon
51.66746° / -1.08085°
Easting / Northing
463,663E / 196,920N
What3Words
doghouse.equal.assembles
Walcha One's land is
Wallingford | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SU6072189371 |
Lat / Lon | 51.59992° / -1.12469° |
Easting / Northing | 460,721E / 189,371N |
What3Words | cried.lyricist.recline |
Chalgrove | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SU6366396920 |
Lat / Lon | 51.66746° / -1.08085° |
Easting / Northing | 463,663E / 196,920N |
What3Words | doghouse.equal.assembles |
Arable | 37.1% |
Pasture | 43.7% |
Urban | 19.2% |
Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018
reviews
Martin Ellis
07 Sep 2023 (edited 14 Sep 2023)Wallingford to Chalgrove 1 (Walcha 1) review.
Note: I walked Chalgrove to Wallingford. It was a very hot day; the blurred photos are from sun cream getting on the camera!
The route from Chalgrove meanders, to successfully minimise road walking. I found the footpaths better maintained than many, and straightforward to navigate (Photos 1 & 2).
At Berrick Salome, there are a couple of pubs to provide a break point. I was hoping for a cooling drink, but unfortunately both were closed on my walk. I stopped for a rest on a bench, which I think is the same one from a previous review – now spruced up (Photo 3).
The footpath on the approach to Benson now weaves through a new housing development. The building site fencing has, perhaps symbolically, pushed aside the old field boundary (Photo 4).
There is an urban walk through Benson, with a break point at The Crown Inn.
The Slow Way should cross the river at Benson Lock, and then follow the Thames Path National Trail. The Benson Weir footbridge, however, is closed for repair work (as of 2023). There is a replacement ferry crossing. Alternatively, there is a road route south from Benson into Wallingford, where there are plenty of amenities.
Mr M J Fisher
29 Dec 2022Slightly longer than perhaps necessary but makes for a better and easier to navigate route. Have done this myself.
-
Share your thoughts
Martin McGovern
03 Jan 2022Very little of this route is on roads. Significant parts of it are on 'fenced' paths - this can be a benefit as in my experience, paths with fences or hedges on both sides tend to be easier terrain than the edges (or the middles) of fields, particularly in winter when I undertook this route. Another consequence of the large number of rural paths is, of course, the number of stiles, kissing gates and the like, making the route unsuitable for anything with wheels.
Additionally, the route does such a good job of avoiding roads, that it doesn't pass many shops or pubs - though short detours into some of the villages would remedy that. I also only spotted one bench in the central section, at the Berrick Salome junction - rather underused, as it was covered in moss.
One rather strange sight was a traditional phone box in Benson, complete with traditional 'Button A and Button B' equipment, dating from the middle of the twentieth century. No longer working, but interesting to see nonetheless.
-
Share your thoughts
Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.
Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.
You can add up to 15 photos.
There are no other routes for Wallingford — Chalgrove
If you know a better way, then please let us know.
Review this better route and help establish a trusted network of walking routes.
Suggest a better route if it better meets our methodology.
Share your thoughts