Henley-on-Thames

I walked from Henley to Maidenhead....

Strider

Watlington to Henley (Wathen 1) review. We walked from Henley to Watlington on a sunny October day in 2022. 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....

Sumaria

A pretty strightforward route, except at Pheasant's Hill, where you have to go round three sides of a square of roads rather than stright through some houses, as indicated....

Ianschagen

A Slow Way that follows the excellent Thames Path National Trail from Henley via Shiplake to Sonning, then loops back to a final walk into Twyford. The route through Shiplake skips a loop of the Thames Path created in 2020....

Martin Ellis

Then there is a section of fields to cross, following by quite a long stretch on "quiet lane" roads, which were indeed very quiet, with only an occasional car....

Derick Rethans

It follows the Thames Path from Henley to Lower Shiplake, where it then continues to use the *older* route of the Thames Path to Shiplake, from where it then continues to Sonning Bridge, which you cross, and then you backtrack on the other side of the Thames to go to Charvil, from which you then walk along a busy road and, after crossing a really busy roundabout with no pedestrian crossing, you make it to Twyford. The section south of where you leave the Thames is the least pleasant, but the rest is a lovely walk, albeit with some narrow sections. At the time of walking, Marsh Lock was not accessible as it's being refurbished, but I followed the Thames Path diversion that was well signed....

Derick Rethans

Route is largely on quiet roads and not many footpaths.Follows Chiltern Way Extension in early part. Would be ok for wheels in the mid section. Several pubs on the route and quite easy to navigate....

Sandybay

There is a steep ascent to a tarmacked lane with a break point at The Five Horseshoes (Photo 4). There's a descent towards the B480, but the route turns back to ascend again, across fields to a tarmacked lane. 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....

Martin Ellis

An excellent Slow Way that crosses fields and woods, to then follow the scenic Hambleden Valley, and finally a stretch of the Thames Path into Henley. The route heads south down a lane; leaving it for a winding path through woods (Photo 1). The route crosses fields (Photo 2) and turns south down a quiet lane. The route south to the Thames is across fields with more great views (Photo 5)....

Martin Ellis

In this direction there is very little uphill, as you're coming down from the Chilterns towards the Thames. There were lots of woody areas, but also open fields and some road walking, but not in any dangerous spots....

Derick Rethans

This route is for people who want to make an enjoyable outing and don't mind going the extra mile....

Petr Sadilek

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 route then joins the Thames Path as it leaves the riverside to cross a deer park (Photo 2). 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....

Martin Ellis

An excellent Slow Way which essentially follows a stretch of the Thames Path, albeit with two divergences from the riverside path. The Thames Path is then followed through a deer park and beside the river. Otherwise, the Slow Way returns to the Thames Path at the riverside....

Martin Ellis

Nice start and end to route on well kept bridleways, rest of route on what were referred to as 'quiet lanes'. I wondered if they had been old drovers roads gradually upgraded as it was a largely straight line between the 2 river crossings. Not much traffic and some pleasant woodland walking....

Phil Edwards

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. Culham Court. View from Culham Court to the river, with daffodils4...

Sumaria

Lovely river walk, mostly following the Thames Path. If you don’t like hills or stiles, or want to see the beautiful weir and lock at Mill End, stick to the river path. You will see bird life, dog walkers and people messing about on the river, and cross the river on attractive bridges. Stick to the obvious river path....

Sumaria

This is a very pleasant route through woodland and quiet lanes, with only one instance of a steep incline. You ascend a rough woodland path (Photo 1) and then a tarmacked lane (Photo 2) into Woodcote. The final leg of the walk is through woods and along the Park and Prime Lane path & bridleway. For walkers interested in extended their route, I recommend adding a stretch of the Goring Heath woodland southeast of Woodcote....

Martin Ellis

Beware that the final stretch of path between Shiplake and Marsh lock can get extremely boggy in winter and sometimes floods completely....

OddPomme

The route starts at Reading Station and heads straight to the river, following it to the mouth of the Kennet in East Reading. An alternative route via Reading landmarks can be found in Reatwy One (Reading to Twyford)....

Martin Ellis

The route continues along English Lane, which is tarmacked as far as English Farm (Photo 3) and a rough path thereafter (Photo 4). The route turns east towards Henley at Peppard Common. The woodland walk into Henley is along the Park and Prime Lane path & bridleway (Photos 11 & 12). As a final point: the Rotherfield Peppard to Henley section is also on the Goring to Henley route (Gorhen 1)....

Martin Ellis

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....

SofaJockey

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....

RogerGill

An easy to follow, mainly flat riverside route, almost all on the official Thames Path between Reading and Henley. Passing through attractive parkland, meadows, countryside and Thames side towns and villages with pubs, cafes and other facilities. Good access from train stations....

Berkshire Walker

There was a herd of cattle on the Thames path, just before Hambledon Lock and noticed this deterred a lot of people from walking onwards....

Jane Powell

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....

jharris_reading

Between the towns, the whole route is along well-marked footpaths or extremely quiet country roads. Next time, I'll follow the river more closely between Aston and Remenham though....

TobyKo