Walhen one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 75.00% of reviewers

Really enjoyed this lovely walk through a variety of open countryside, farmland and beautiful woodlands.

Only one section of footpath, between Nuffield and Stoke Row, was overgrown, but I don't mind that as long as it's passable. There is a section just beyond Stoke Row along a national speed limit road with no pavement, but it is only short and was quiet when I walked it.

There are opportunities for refreshments at pubs in Stoke Row and Rotherfield Peppard, as well as a well-stocked shop and cafe in Stoke Row.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable walk and I'll be doing it again.

Wallingford to Henley (Walhen 1) review.

Overall, I found this to be a very pleasant walk with a welcome variety of landscapes. I was particularly pleased that a brief section of The Ridgeway was accessible enough to be included in a Slow Way.

The Slow Way begins with road walking out of Wallingford. It passes Jethro Tull’s home at Crowmarsh Gifford (look out for the blue plaque). The route then follows quiet lanes and crosses a field (Photo 1) to join a three mile stretch of The Ridgeway (Photo 2). There’s a water tap at SU660871.

The route continues along English Lane, which is tarmacked as far as English Farm (Photo 3) and a rough path thereafter (Photo 4).

Unfortunately, I encountered a couple of issues crossing the fields into Stoke Row. A gate had been erected across the stile at SU677853 (Photo 5). The stile at SU678853 (Photo 6) was in poor repair and the path beyond hard to distinguish. An alternate way into Stoke Row would be to turn right at English Farm and take the Cox’s Lane bridleway.

Stoke Row has amenities for a break. The Maharajah’s Well and adjoining park are well worth a visit and a good spot for a picnic.

The route continues down a road with a narrow verge (Photo 7) but soon leaves it for a footpath through Bear Wood and farmland (Photos 8 & 9).

The route turns east towards Henley at Peppard Common. The nearby Red Lion at Rotherfield Peppard is currently being refurbished, with plans to reopen at the end of summer 2021. An alternative (a slight detour) is The Unicorn (Photo 10) at Peppard Hill.

The woodland walk into Henley is along the Park and Prime Lane path & bridleway (Photos 11 & 12). The bridleway sections can get muddy.

As a final point: the Rotherfield Peppard to Henley section is also on the Goring to Henley route (Gorhen 1). I do wonder if an alternate route into Henley (via Highmoor and through the woods south of the A4130 could be explored?.

The route has far too many roads sections which can easily be removed.

That said, the section of the Ridgeway through Grim's ditch is stunning, particularly in spring when the bluebells are in season.

There are plenty of places to explore en route; Nuffield church sits a top of the Ridgeway and Stoke Row has the Maharajah's Well.

Refreshments along the way too.

There are so many better ways through the Chilterns and into Henley it can only be rated 3. The Chilterns are scattered with lovely paths.

An enjoyable, serene route that feels suitably adventuresome for a rural walk for the most part.

The lowlight for me would be the amount of road walking -- something I personally dislike -- too much, particularly near the start at Wallingford and given the abundance of parallel off-road footpaths.

The middle section around the huge deciduous forest near Stoke Row is quite dull, but fairly short.

The highlight I found was the long Ridgeway section, occasionally flanked by bluebells and always feels far from civilisation. Likewise for the section at the end, the last couple of miles before reaching Henley.

If I were to do this again I'd start in Cholsey (with its train station) and cut across to Wallingford alongside the community train line, skip the centre of Wallingford and instead join the Ridgeway much earlier via the bridge further south.

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