Wathen one

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Watlington to Henley (Wathen 1) review.
We walked from Henley to Watlington on a sunny October day in 2022. I agree with reviewer Martin, an excellent Slow Way in the Chilterns.
We parked on the Henley Fair Mile, close to the spot where the footpath leaves the road, and started there. Therefore, we shortened the walk by about 1.5 km.
The route started in parkland with a variety of established trees including cedars, went into woods and fields and finished with a couple of miles in flat open farmland. It was very attractive all the way. The woods were never dense and dark, and the Autumn leaf and berry colours were glorious. There were many views from higher ground. There were ups and downs, one stile and a handful of kissing gates. Despite recent rain it was never too muddy and often quite sandy and dry. It was a mix of footpaths, bridlepaths shared occasionally with cyclists, and little-used country roads with careful drivers.
The Five Horseshoes pub appeared at the best possible time, just over half way, and was open, and happy to provide us with coffee. We ate our sandwiches in the pub garden. There were no other shopping opportunities until Watlington. We had left a car in Watlington’s free car park.
Martin has posted lovely photos, so I have just posted an Autumnal view, a twisty tree, a fungal specimen and a tree laden with tiny yellow apples.

Watlington to Henley (Wathen 1) review.

An excellent Slow Way across the Chiltern Hills AONB.

The route leaves Watlington by footpaths that meet The Ridgeway National Trail. From there the walk heads south along Shakespeare’s Way.

An attractive footpath ascends the Chilterns escarpment through woods (Photo 1) and fields. There’s a village green with benches at Cookley Green.

The route continues through peaceful woodland (Photo 2). It eventually leaves the path by a rather hidden gate (Photo 3). There is a steep ascent to a tarmacked lane with a break point at The Five Horseshoes (Photo 4).

The route follows the lane beside Russell’s Water Common and then a woodland path east of the Warburg Nature Reserve. I met a couple of deer (Photo 5). The path ascends SE with excellent views down into a dry valley. I noticed some interesting ruins (Photo 6). There's a descent towards the B480, but the route turns back to ascend again, across fields to a tarmacked lane.

I took a detour NW up the lane to investigate the ruins. It’s a small Norman church (St James at Bix Brand) with an information board (Photo 7).

The Slow Way takes a quiet lane into Middle Assendon, with a break point at The Rainbow Inn (Photo 8).

The route heads east up a steep footpath (Photo 9), that turns south onto the Oxfordshire Way into Henley. There's a pleasant deer park (only sheep around) with seating and good views down into the Thames valley (Photos 10 & 11).

There’s a steep descent through woods (Photo 12) to arrive at Henley. It’s a short urban walk to the end of the Slow Way.

Descriptions of places along this route call them ‘secluded’ and the 'hidden gems’ of the Chilterns. I’d heartily agree and recommend walkers seek them out.

Note: maybe in keeping with the seclusion; both break point pubs were closed on my walk (the first for a staff holiday and the second shuts between 3 and 6pm).

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