Posts tagged Thames
Chiltern Railways Walking Routes

Having walked and cycled a lot of the Chilterns over the past few years I’ve become much more familiar with its landscape. I discovered the valleys in my cycling trips along the Chiltern Rivers and the high points while bagging the Trig Points. With a need to find more short local walks during the Covid Lockdowns my attention turned to finding the rail lines and stations in the AONB. All of the walks listed below the map are around 10k (~6 miles) with a start and finish at a Chiltern rail station. This list covers all stations inside the Chiltern Hills AONB, shaded in green on the map. There’s also a selection of walks covering stations in the “Greater Chiltern Area”, shaded in peach, which covers the area bounded by the north end of the AONB and the Rivers Thames, Lea and Colne.

Rail-based circular walks in the Chiltern Hills AONB

Where all or most of the walk is within the boundary of the AONB

Rail-based circular walks in the Greater Chilterns Area

Where all or most of the walk is outside of the boundary of the AONB

Rail-based point to point walks in the Greater Chilterns Area

Rail-based cycle trips in the Greater Chilterns Area

Richard gowerTrek, Canal, Railway, Disused Railway, Underground, Thames, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment
Chiltern Walks: Shiplake and Henley-on-Thames
View to Conway’s Bridge from the Thames Path

View to Conway’s Bridge from the Thames Path

Start & Finish: Shiplake Station, Lower Shiplake, Henley-on-Thames RG9 3NU
Distance: 8.8 km (5.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 80m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, The Wokingham Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Henley Town Centre and The Baskerville at Shiplake Station
Map: OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Shiplake, Shiplake Station, Henley-on-Thames, Henley-on-Thames Station, Harpsden

This short walk continues both our Thames path based circulars and is the latest in the Chiltern Rail based walks. You’ll pass both Henley-on-Thames and Shiplake Stations. I’ve started the walk at Shiplake Station but it can just as easily be started at Henley. Both are on the same train line and have good parking close by. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From Shiplake station pick up the Thames Path and follow it north to the north-western end of Mill Meadows park in Henley. Follow the paths that route by Henley-on-Thames Station and onto Station Road. Take a left onto Station Road, another left onto Reading Road, then a right onto Hamilton Avenue. At the end of Hamilton Avenue take a left onto Vicarage Road, heading south-east. Just after passing Singers Lane on the left, take a footpath between houses on the right. This path cuts diagonally through housing in a south-westerly direction for 600m before reaching Peppard Lane. Take a right onto Peppard Lane then the first footpath on the left. This path will take you steeply downhill to Harpsden Village.

Take a right onto the road through Harpsden, then first left onto Chalk Hill, then a left onto a footpath. Follow this steeply uphill until you join Upper Bolney Road and the Chiltern Way Berkshire Extension. Take an left onto Upper Bolney Road and follow it for 1.5 km until the A4155 Reading Road. Cross the main road and take a footpath that runs diagonally through a farm to the south-east. The path will take you onto Northfield Avenue to the junction with Station Road and Mill Road. Follow Station Road back to Shiplake Station.

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Railway, Thames, Oxfordshire, EnglandComment
Walking The Bourne End To Maidenhead Line
View of Bourne End Marina from the rail and footbridge

View of Bourne End Marina from the rail and footbridge

Start: Bourne End Railway Station, 1 Station Road, Wooburn Green, Bourne End, SL8 5RN
Finish: Maidenhead Railway Station, Maidenhead SL6 1EW
Distance: 9.6 km (5.9 miles)
Elevation change: +60m / -58m. Net +2m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Shakespeare’s Way, Thames Path, Maidenhead Boundary Walk, Maidenhead Green Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop, Walking The High Wycombe to Bourne End Disused Railway
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 50
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: Costa Coffee at Cookham Station, several in Maidenhead Town Centre
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Maidenhead - Marlow Passengers’ Association History, Wycombe to Bourne End railway - looking back at the historic line (Photos)
Wycombe Railway, Bourne End Station, Cookham Station, Furze Platt Station, Maidenhead Boyne Hill Station, Maidenhead Station

The Wycombe to Bourne End Railway was originally part of a longer section that connected Maidenhead and High Wycombe. The Maidenhead to Bourne End section is still intact but the line to Wycombe closed in 1970. We completed the disused section last year and were keen to continue the route of the original line from Bourne End to Maidenhead. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

As this is a working rail line, doing a point to point walk then returning to the start by train is pretty straightforward. We picked up where we finished last year at Bourne End Station. From here you can pick up a footpath to the south of the station. This path will connect with the Thames Path and cross over the footbridge next to the river’s rail crossing. Once over the bridge, take a left onto the Thames Path, heading south. After ~0.5 km leave the Thames Path, following a footpath to the south of Strand Water, a minor tributary of the Thames. When you meet the railway again, take the left had footpath running between the railway and the golf club. Continue walking south until you reach The Pound. Take a right onto the Pound and follow it west until Cookham Station.

Once over the level crossing at Cookham Station take a left onto High Road. Continue south along High Road, Peace Lane and the edge of Alfred Major park, keeping the rail line on your left. When you reach the B4447 take a left, following it under the rail bridge, taking the first footpath on the right. This path opens onto Bass Mead which you’ll follow to the junction with Lightlands Lane and Strande Lane. Just before that junction take a right hand track heading south. Continue walking south, picking up the Maidenhead Boundary walk until you cross railway bridge on the B4447 Gardner Road.

Leave the Maidenhead Boundary Walk by taking a left onto Queensway, a left onto Edinburgh Road, a left onto Connaught Close and a right onto a footpath leading back to Queensway. At the junction of Queensway and Harrow Lane take a left to visit Furze Platt Station. Then double back on Harrow Lane taking Bridle Road, the first road on the left. Follow Bridle Road until you meet Gringer Hill. Here you can take a westerly heading footpath to College Avenue. Follow College Avenue south, curving round to the east to cross the rail line on a footbridge. Once over the footbridge take a right onto Elm Grove and follow it until you reach the A4 at Castle Hill. Here you can see the site of the, now disused, Maidenhead Boyne Hill Station.

On the east side of the rail bridge you can take a path heading south to West Road. Continue down West Road, taking a right onto High Town Road. When you meet Grenfell Road, continue heading west over the railway bridge and take a left onto Kings Grove. Just after Clare Road on your right take a footpath on the left that goes under the rail line. Take a right onto Grenfell Road, following it as it curves round to the west. Take the right hand footpath round the back of a private car park to the end of the trip at Maidenhead Station.

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Richard gowerTrek, Railway, Thames, Chilterns, National Trust, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Walks Along The Thames Path National Trail
Maidenhead Bridge

Maidenhead Bridge

I’ve spent a lot of my life living close to the Thames and have done countless walks, runs and rides along it. It’s also the first National Trail that I’ve completed end to end. That was a cycle trip and, as my blog post on it describes, it’s best discovered on foot.

More recently I’ve been returning to the trail to do shorter circular walks containing stretches of the Thames Path. So far it’s been mostly focused on the Chilterns section, but I’ll extend towards the outer ends later. Here’s the links to the walks that I’ve done so far. They’re in order of closest to the source first.

From The Source to The Chilterns: Kemble to Wallingford

Circular Walks including the Thames Path

The Chilterns Section: Wallingford to Staines-upon-Thames


Circular Walks including the Thames Path

The London Section: Staines-upon-Thames to The Thames Barrier

Walks Crossing or Ending at The Thames Path

Richard gowerTrek, Thames, Chilterns, Colne Valley, National Trust, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Middlesex, London, EnglandComment
Round Berkshire Cycle Route - Windsor Loop
Cycle path between The Rangers Gate and Clewer Green

Cycle path between The Rangers Gate and Clewer Green

Start & Finish: Windsor Bridge, Windsor, SL4 6AA
Distance: 23.3 km (20 Miles)
Elevation change: +/- 212m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Thames Path, Jubilee River Path, Three Castles Path
Other Routes Touched (cycle): NCN 4, Ascot To Windsor Cycle Path
Pubs / Cafes on route: several on Eton High Street
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Round Berkshire Cycle Route, Eton, Windsor, Windsor Bridge, Old Windsor, Windsor Great Park

Previous section: Round Berkshire Cycle Route - Maidenhead Loop

This is the first in a series of short trips to tackle the Round Berkshire Cycle Route in smaller sections. The full route is 140 miles from Lambourne in the west to Datchet in the east. I’ll probably do the whole route in a single trip one day, but for now I’m happy to break it into smaller sections. See the leaflet about the route for descriptions of the main points of interest.

We started this loop at Windsor Bridge, close to both of the town’s train stations and several car parks. From here the route heads north toward Slough before diverting east to Datchet. After Datchet the route follows the B3021 parallel to the Thames joining the A308 into Old Windsor. Depending on your love of hills, the climb up Crimp Hill into the Great Park is either a high or a low-light.

Must of Windsor Great Park is reserved for walkers and horse-riders with cycling prohibited on many paths. The route 52 takes you along the the cyclable parts on very well maintained roads. At the southern end of the park you’ll exit at Blacknest Gate following Mill Lane then Buckhurst Road. When you reach the Ascot Gate you’ll leave the route 52 as it continues along Sunninghill Road to Bracknell. Instead, return into the park and take Dukes Lane North-East to The Village.

At this point you can join an inner circle of the route 52 up to Snow Hill and the Copper Horse and back to The Village via Bishopsgate Road. On the day we were there the gates to Snow Hill were closed to cyclists so we had to double back to The Village. Whichever option you’ve taken, the next stage starts with following the westerly road from The Village junction, up to Primrose Hill and north to the Ranger’s Gate.

Be careful when exiting the Ranger’s Gate as the A332 can be extremely busy. The road is the quickest route back to Windsor, but for a safer, more interesting route, take the cycle path to the left of the road and follow it to the grounds of Windsor FC and onto the B3022. The final 2km of the route winds through residential streets before returning to the river on Barry Avenue between the Thames and Alexandra Park.

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Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Thames, Windsor, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Walking The London Loop and Capital Ring
London Loop in Blue, Capital Ring in Red. Base map from OpenStreetMap

London Loop in Blue, Capital Ring in Red. Base map from OpenStreetMap

The London Loop and Capital Ring are long distance circular walks around London. Both were conceived in the ‘90s and completed in the early 2000s. They pass through mostly green spaces around the capital and can easily be broken up into a series of shorter walks. Having cycled both a few years ago, I’m now returning to walk it. I’ve mostly covered the western sections and there’s a long way to go.

The list of sections below are those that I’ve planned but not necessarily completed yet. I’ve also included links to blog posts for other walks that follow or cross over parts of either the London Loop or the Capital Ring. If you would like GPX files of any of these sections please Buy Me a Coffee and let me know which section(s) you are interested in. For a limited time I would be happy to share files for all sections of either collection for 1 coffee plus any feedback on the route (corrections, changes etc.)

There’s now several guidebooks to either the Loop or the Ring. Note that the sections below and the order of them don’t necessarily match exactly to those in the guides. I use Colin Saunder’s Guides for each route and can highly recommend them for their description of the route and points of interest

The London Loop In Sections

  • London Loop Section 01: Erith Riverside to Bexley. Distance: 14.0 km. Elevation Change: +72m / -67m. Net +6m

  • London Loop Section 02: Bexley to Petts Wood. Distance: 12.5 km. Elevation Change: +134m / -67m. Net +67m

  • London Loop Section 03: Petts Wood to West Wickham Common. Distance: 15.2 km. Elevation Change: +168m / -183m. Net -15m

  • London Loop Section 04: West Wickham Common to Hamsey Green. Distance: 15.1 km. Elevation Change: +285m / -182m. Net +183m

  • London Loop Section 05: Hamsey Green to Coulsdon South. Distance: 10.2 km. Elevation Change: +119m / -201m. Net -82m

  • London Loop Section 06: Coulsdon South to Banstead Downs. Distance: 8.0 km. Elevation Change: +126m / -87m. Net +39m

  • London Loop Section 07: Banstead Downs to Ewell West. Distance: 6.6 km. Elevation Change: +23m / -114m. Net -91m

  • London Loop Section 08: Ewell West to Kingston Bridge. Distance: 12.8 km. Elevation Change: +47m / -72m. Net -25m

  • London Loop Section 09: Kingston Bridge to Hatton Cross. Distance: 16.1 km. Elevation Change: +70m / -58m. Net +12m

  • London Loop Section 10: Hatton Cross to Hayes and Harlington. Distance: 6.8 km. Elevation Change: +36m / -24m. Net +12m

  • London Loop Section 11: Hayes and Harlington to Uxbridge. Distance: 12.0 km. Elevation Change: +55m / -54m. Net +1m

  • London Loop Section 12: Uxbridge to Harefield. Distance: 7.6 km. Elevation Change: +29m / -23m. Net +6m

  • London Loop Section 13: Harefield to Moor Park. Distance: 8.7 km. Elevation Change: +116m / -91m. Net -25m

  • London Loop Section 14: Moor Park to Hatch End. Distance: 7.7 km. Elevation Change: +93m / -95m. Net -2m

  • London Loop Section 15: Hatch End to Elstree. Distance: 15.2 km. Elevation Change: +182m / -153m. Net -29m

  • London Loop Section 16: Elstree to High Barnet. Distance: 18.1 km. Elevation Change: +243m / -238m. Net +5m

  • London Loop Section 17: High Barnet to Enfield Lock. Distance: 14.8 km. Elevation Change: +95m / -176m. Net -81m

  • London Loop Section 18: Enfield Lock to Chingford. Distance: 8.1 km. Elevation Change: +110m / -71m. Net +39m

  • London Loop Section 19: Chingford to Chigwell. Distance: 7.1 km. Elevation Change: +83m / -95m. Net -12m

  • London Loop Section 20: Chigwell to Havering. Distance: 10.7 km. Elevation Change: +175m / -115m. Net +60m

  • London Loop Section 21: Havering to Harold Wood. Distance: 8.1 km. Elevation Change: +29m / -97m. Net -68m

  • London Loop Section 22: Harold Wood to Upminster Bridge. Distance: 7.3 km. Elevation Change: +46m / -64m. Net -18m

  • London Loop Section 23: Upminster Bridge to Rainham. Distance: 7.7 km. Elevation Change: +32m / -43m. Net -11m

  • London Loop Section 24: Rainham to Purfleet. Distance: 8.3 km. Elevation Change: +38m / -38m. Net 0m

Other Walks on The London Loop

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The Capital Ring in Sections

  • Capital Ring Section 01: Woolwich to Falconwood. Distance: 10.6 km. Elevation Change: +158m / -95m. Net +63m

  • Capital Ring Section 02: Falconwood to Grove Park. Distance: 6.9 km. Elevation Change: +56m / -80m. Net -24m

  • Capital Ring Section 03: Grove Park to Crystal Palace. Distance: 14.2 km. Elevation Change: +151m / -120m. Net +31m

  • Capital Ring Section 04: Crystal Palace to Streatham. Distance: 6.9 km. Elevation Change: +78m / -122m. Net -44m

  • Capital Ring Section 05: Streatham to Wimbledon Park. Distance: 9.4 km. Elevation Change: +49m / -59m. Net -10m

  • Capital Ring Section 06: Wimbledon Park to Richmond. Distance: 12.0 km. Elevation Change: +132m / -148m. Net -16m

  • Capital Ring Section 07: Richmond to Osterley Lock. Distance: 7.8 km. Elevation Change: +44m / -33m. Net +11m

  • Capital Ring Section 08: Osterley Lock to Greenford. Distance: 9.3 km. Elevation Change: +50m / -45m. Net -5m

  • Capital Ring Section 09: Greenford to South Kenton. Distance: 9.2 km. Elevation Change: +137m / -120m. Net +17m

  • Capital Ring Section 10: South Kenton to Hendon Park. Distance: 10.7 km. Elevation Change: +134m / -108m. Net +26m

  • Capital Ring Section 11: Hendon Park to Highgate. Distance: 9.4 km. Elevation Change: +99m / -70m. Net +29m

  • Capital Ring Section 12: Highgate to Stoke Newington. Distance: 9.1 km. Elevation Change: +42m / -112m. Net -70m

  • Capital Ring Section 13: Stoke Newington to Hackney Wick. Distance: 6.7 km. Elevation Change: +26m / -48m. Net -22m

  • Capital Ring Section 14: Hackney Wick to Royal Albert Dock. Distance: 8.4 km. Elevation Change: +31m / -33m. Net -2m

  • Capital Ring Section 15: Royal Albert Dock to Woolwich. Distance: 6.2 km. Elevation Change: +30m / -25m. Net +5m

Other Walks on The Capital Ring

Other Resources

More London Adventures

Richard gowerTrek, Canal, Railway, Disused Railway, Underground, Thames, London, Middlesex, EnglandComment
London's Coal Duty Posts

Having set myself the challenge to visit all Greater London High Points and all Trig Pillars in London, I’m going one step further. This is my new mission to visit all of the over 200 London Coal Duty Posts that are still standing. If you’re not familiar with what these are, Martin Nail’s website is the best place to start.

As of the January 2021 I’ve visited 26 posts and plaques on previous walking and cycling trips. With the Covid lockdown looking like it will go on for it a bit, it may take me a while longer to visit the rest.

In the meantime, here’s some trips that visit some of the posts and my more-or-less accurate map of the Coal Post Boundary

More London posts

Richard gowerCycle, Trek, Canal, Railway, Thames, London, England, Middlesex, Colne Valley, Coal Duty PostComment
Chiltern Challenge Ultra Marathon
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When: September 26th 2020
Start & Finish: The Henley Showground, Marlow Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3AP
Distance: 50 km (31 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 560m
Course: Figure of 8 with a western loop and an eastern loop intersecting at the Henley Showground Basecamp. Mix of Chiltern Way, Oxfordshire Way and Thames Path
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Shakespeare’s Way, Chiltern Way, Oxfordshire Way, The Wokingham Way, Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Finish time: 6 hours 59 minutes
Links: Hambleden, Stonor, Bix Bottom,Middle Assendon, Henley-on-Thames, Bovingdon Green, Marlow, Hurley, Remenham

With most running events having been cancelled due to Covid this yet I’d pretty much written off doing my annual ultra. So, as soon as I saw that this one was on, and it was a local one, I signed up. Also, having not been well (not do to Covid) a few weeks’ before I still wasn’t sure if I was up to ultra fitness. I decided to take it slow and take advantage of the 2-loop course to give me the option of retiring after the first loop.

This was also my first Covid-secure event and the organisation on the day was really impressive. Ultras may be expensive, but this was great value considering the new protocols that had in place. The only down-side for me was that the hand-sanitizer they has was so slippery that my wedding ring slipped off somewhere between the start and the first rest stop. So far it’s not been found which is less than ideal. It sounds like I wasn’t the only participant to lose a ring so I strongly recommend runners on Covid-secure events to leave their rings at home.

Lost rings aside, the event was amazing. I am big fan of the Chilterns and this was a perfect day to do a big run there. It was sunny but not too warm and dry underfoot too. I also liked the combination of woods and hills in the north and the flat sections of the Thames Path to the south.

In the end it was a good test of my fitness as I completed the course in a good time (for me) and without any signs of my sickness a few weeks ago. Fingers crossed the postponed Race to the Castle, my original 2020 ultra pick will be back on in 2021.

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Richard gowerRun, Ultramarathon, Chilterns, Thames, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, EnglandComment
Maidenhead and Cookham Circular Walk via the Thames Path and Greenway
Bridge over Maidenhead Ditch on the Green Way West

Bridge over Maidenhead Ditch on the Green Way West

Start & Finish: Boulters Car Park, 7-15 Lower Cookham Rd, Maidenhead, SL6 8JN
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 28 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Green Way, Thames Path, Maidenhead Boundary Walk, Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 50, Round Berkshire Cycle Route 52
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Ferry (SL6 9SN), and several others on Cookham High Street
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Boulters Lock, Cookham, National Trust Maidenhead and Cookham Commons

This is part of a series of ~10k circular walks that include the Thames Path National Trail at the edge of the Chilterns. This one fits between our recent Marlow Donkey walk and part 1 of the Thames Path and Jubilee River loops.

We started this trip at the Boulter’s Lock car park and headed west through the riverside houses to North Town. Here you can pick up the Green Way West, a north/south path connecting Maidenhead and Cookham. Follow the path for ~3.5km until you meet the Thames Path at Cookham Moor. Take a right here and you can follow the Thames Path all the way back to the start at Boulter’s Lock.

When you get to the Ferry pub the Thames path diverts from the river as the river flows through private land. It’s well sign-posted and you’ll follow Ferry Lane / Sutton Road south for ~300m before taking a left onto Mill Lane which takes you back to the river. This is a lovely, quiet stretch of the Thames Path that gives you views over to the Cliveden estate on the opposite bank.

Richard gowerTrek, Thames, National Trust, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Thames Path & Jubilee River Walk - Eton Wick and Eton
Windsor Castle from The Brocas

Windsor Castle from The Brocas

Start & Finish: Eton Wick Village Hall, Eton Wick Rd, Eton Wick, Windsor SL4 6LT
Distance: 7.9 km (4.9 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 22 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Jubilee River Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4, 461, 61
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several on Eton Wick High Street
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Jubilee River, Eton Wick, Eton, Eton College

The Jubilee River is a man-made channel built in the late 1990s and early 2000s to take overflow from the River Thames to prevent flooding around Maidenhead, Windsor, and Eton. The path along side it passes through wildlife and woodland making a easy, pleasant walk or cycle. It also runs parallel and close to the Thames, allowing for several combinations of short trips that take in both.

This is the third of a series of 4 circular walks of roughly 10 km that take in sections of both the Jubilee River and Thames Path. This one starts at Eton Wick Village Hall and takes in Eton High Street, meeting the 4th and final section.

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The Complete Route: Thames Path & Jubilee River Walks

Left to right: Maidenhead to Datchet in 4 sections. Map base: ESRI Topo via Ride With GPS

Yellow = Maidenhead & Bray, Red = Dorney & Eton Wick, Blue = Eton Wick and Eton, Greet = Eton and Datchet

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Thames, Berkshire, England, WindsorComment
Thames Path & Jubilee River Walk - Dorney and Eton Wick
Jubilee River near Dorney

Jubilee River near Dorney

Start & Finish: Eton Wick Village Hall, Eton Wick Rd, Eton Wick, Windsor SL4 6LT
Distance: 9.9 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 25 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Jubilee River Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 61
Pubs / Cafes on route: N/A but some shops on Eton Wick Road
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Jubilee River, Eton Wick, Dorney Lake, Boveney Lock, St Mary Magdalene's Church, Boveney

The Jubilee River is a man-made channel built in the late 1990s and early 2000s to take overflow from the River Thames to prevent flooding around Maidenhead, Windsor, and Eton. The path along side it passes through wildlife and woodland making a easy, pleasant walk or cycle. It also runs parallel and close to the Thames, allowing for several combinations of short trips that take in both.

This is the second of a series of 4 circular walks of roughly 10 km that take in sections of both the Jubilee River and Thames Path. This one starts at Eton Wick village hall and meets up with section on on Harcourt Road in Dorney Reach.

The Complete Route: Thames Path & Jubilee River Walks

Left to right: Maidenhead to Datchet in 4 sections. Map base: ESRI Topo via Ride With GPS

Yellow = Maidenhead & Bray, Red = Dorney & Eton Wick, Blue = Eton Wick and Eton, Greet = Eton and Datchet

Richard gowerTrek, Thames, Chilterns, Berkshire, Windsor, EnglandComment
Cycling The River Ash and Thames Path Circular
The underwhelming source of the River Ash as it splits from the Colne on Staines Moor

The underwhelming source of the River Ash as it splits from the Colne on Staines Moor

Part of the Chiltern Rivers Series
River start: Splits from the Colne on Staines Moor
River end: Confluence with the Thames at Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
River length: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Cycle Route Start & Finish: Parking places at intersection of Moor Lane and Colne Valley Trail, Staines, TW18 4YY
Cycle Route Distance: 32.8 km (20.3 miles)
Cycle Route Elevation change: + / - 87 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Colne Valley Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
London Coal Duty Posts: 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several including The Ferry Coffee Shop, Shepperton TW17 9LQ
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: River Ash, Staines, Staines Moor, Shepperton, Walton-on-Thames, Desborough Island, Hammertons Ferry

In the latest of my Chiltern Rivers Cycle Rides I explored the River Ash at the Southern end of the Colne Valley Regional Park. The Ash splits off from the River Colne next to the A30 Staines bypass North of the town and follows a South-Easterly direction to meet the Thames at Walton-on-Thames. Much of the route is hidden from public access so a cycle or walking trip of the Ash is one for the completists only. That definitely describes me so I had to do it. The reward for tackling it is the return route to Staines via the Thames Path.

The best place to start (if you’re driving there) is some free parking space on Moor Lane opposite the path to Staines Moor. Following this path you’ll pass over the Wraysbury River, the Staines Rivers Aqueduct and the rail line. You’ll need to use the A30 bridge to cross over the River Colne where you’ll find the point where the Ash splits on the Eastern bank. From here you can follow the Ash on a footpath for ~300 into a housing estate. For the next 4 km you won’t see the river as it keeps close to the A308 and cycling options zig-zag through residential areas of North Staines. You could cycle on the A308 to stay closer to the river and shave off some distance, but it’s a very busy road and you won’t see the river anyway.

The Ash, the A308 and the cycle route all come together at the Fordbridge Roundabout. Here the Ash takes a sharp turn right to the South and curves round the Queen Mary Reservoir through Laleham. The best cycle option is to follow the B377 Ashford Road then the B376 Shepperton Road. At Shepperton you have the choice of continuing along the B376 or taking a meandering route through Littleton, Shepperton and Upper Haliford to stay closer to the river.

The confluence with the Thames is tucked away behind a small island. You can get there by taking a private residential road called The Creek off Fordingbridge Road. A rickety wooden bridge stands over the confluence marking the end of the Ash part of the trip.

To return to Staines, go back to Fordingbridge Road and follow it West to the A244 and follow that onto Walton Bridge. Cross over the bridge and take the Thames Path back to Staines. I added an extra 1 km to the trip by taking a diversion along the perimeter paths of Desborough Island. One of the highlights of the trip is taking the small Hammertons ferry to the North side of the Thames. Check that it’s running before you go though as you’ll add a few extra km to the trip to find the nearest alternative crossing by bridge.

When you arrive back at Staines take the B376 heading North away from Staines Bridge. Take a right onto Moor Lane and continue for ~500m back to the parking spot.

Blue = course of the River Ash, Red = circular cycle route

Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Colne Valley, Thames, Surrey, Middlesex, London, England, Coal Duty PostComment
Thames Path & Jubilee River Walk - Maidenhead & Bray
Maidenhead Bridge

Maidenhead Bridge

Start & Finish: Riverside Gardens, Maidenhead, SL6 8NS
Distance: 10.7 km (6.6 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 35 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Maidenhead Boundary Walk, Jubilee River Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 52, 61, Beeches Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Jenners Riverside Cafe (SL6 8NP), The Boathouse at Boulters Lock (SL6 8PE)
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Jubilee River, Maidenhead, Ray Mill Island, Bray, Dorney Reach, Bray Lock

The Jubilee River is a man-made channel built in the late 1990s and early 2000s to take overflow from the River Thames to prevent flooding around Maidenhead, Windsor, and Eton. The path along side it passes through wildlife and woodland making a easy, pleasant walk or cycle. It also runs parallel and close to the Thames, allowing for several combinations of short trips that take in both.

This is the first of a series of 4 circular walks of roughly 10 km that take in sections of both the Jubilee River and Thames Path. This one starts at the Car Park at Riverside Gardens in Maidenhead taking a clockwise direction to Dorney Reach at the walk’s southern edge.

The Complete Route: Thames Path & Jubilee River Walks

Screenshot 2020-09-20 073743.png

Yellow = Maidenhead & Bray, Red = Dorney & Eton Wick, Blue = Eton Wick and Eton, Greet = Eton and Datchet

Richard gowerTrek, Thames, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Cycling The Prime Meridian Part 1 - Peacehaven to Waltham Abbey
Obelisk at Peacehaven

Obelisk at Peacehaven

The Prime Meridian, also known as the Greenwich Meridian, is the line of longitude defined as 0°. It’s the line that divides East and West. It’s also a line that I asked myself last Christmas: “can that be cycled"?”. The answer is “no” as it’s a dead-straight line with buildings inconveniently built along it's path. You can cycle quite close to it though, so that’s what we did.

If you want to walk it, there’s a well-signed path called the Greenwich Meridian Trail. The Trail is also very well described in a series of 4 books by Graham and Hilda Heap. The cycle route that I designed stays as close to the Prime Meridian as possible but avoiding footpaths and opting for quieter country roads over busy main roads. Even if you’re cycling I highly recommend the Greenwich Meridian Trail books as they’re a great guide to the interesting things to see along the way.

For the first stage of our cycle trip we started at Peacehaven, where the Meridian meets the sea at it’s most Southerly point. From there we headed north over 2 days to Waltham Abbey, just above the M25. The rest of it came in later trips covering 6 days. See the main Prime Meridian post for the full route

Day 1: Coast, Downs and Weald

Start: Prime Meridian Obelisk, 96 The Promenade, Peacehaven, BN10 8LN
Finish: The Bakery Restaurant and Rooms, Westmore Road, Tatsfield, Westerham, TN16 2AG
Distance: 75 km (47 miles)
Elevation change: + 1,013m / - 812m (Net +201m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Greenwich Meridian Trail, Newhaven-Brighton Clifftop Path, South Downs Way, Sussex Ouse Valley Way, Forest Way, High Weald Landscape Trail, Mid Sussex Link, Sussex Border Path, Tandridge Border Path, Greensand Way, Vanguard Way, North Downs Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2, 21
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but I recommend The Stable Tea Rooms, Heaven Farm, Furner's Green, Uckfield TN22 3RG (at km 34)
Maps:
- OS Explorer OL11 Brighton & Hove Map
- OS Explorer Map (135) Ashdown Forest Map
- OS Explorer Map (146) Dorking, Box Hill and Reigate Map
- OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham Map
Guidebook: Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 1: Peacehaven to Greenwich
Links: Wikipedia: Prime Meridian, The Greenwich Meridian, Greenwich Meridian Trail, Peacehaven, Prime Meridian Obelisk, Tatsfield

Day 2: London

Start: The Bakery Restaurant and Rooms, Westmore Road, Tatsfield, Westerham, TN16 2AG
Finish: Waltham Abbey Church, 4 Church St, Waltham Abbey EN9 1DJ
Distance: 62.5 km (39 miles)
Elevation change: + 377m / - 585m (Net -208m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Greenwich Meridian Trail, Tandridge Border Path, London Loop, Capital Ring, Waterlink Way, Lewisham Promenade, Thames Path, Lea Valley Walk, Jubilee Greenway, The Greenway.
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 13, 21, 4, CS2, CS3, CS16, CS23,
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but I recommend The Breakfast Club, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 29 East Bay Lane Canalside Here East, London E15 2GW
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham Map
- OS Explorer Map (162) Greenwich and Gravesend Map
- OS Explorer Map (174) Epping Forest & Lee Valley Map
Guidebook: Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 1: Peacehaven to Greenwich and Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 2: Greenwich to Hardwick
Links: Wikipedia: Prime Meridian, The Greenwich Meridian, Greenwich Meridian Trail, Tatsfield, Royal Observatory Greenwich, Waltham Abbey

Prime Meridian markers on the route

Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Coast, Disused Railway, Thames, South Downs, Sussex, Surrey, London, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment
Cycling The Windsor to Staines Railway
Level Crossing near Horton

Level Crossing near Horton

Start & Finish: Windsor & Eton Riverside Railway Station, Windsor SL4 1NA, United Kingdom
Distance: 26.3 km (16.3 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 78 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Colne Valley Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in both Windsor and Staines Town Centres. A good half-way stop is The Swan Hotel, Staines
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Staines-Windsor Line, Windsor & Eton Riverside Station, Datchet Station, Sunnymeads Station, Wraysbury Station, Staines West Station (closed), Staines Station

Hot on the heels of the Slough to Windsor Railway cycle ride, next up was Windsor to Staines. This one started at Windsor & Eton Riverside station which is a short walk from Windsor & Eton Central but on a completely different line. The Riverside Station is the terminus for a branch line that connects to the Waterloo to Reading line at Staines. To make this a circular route we took the Thames Path back to Windsor from Staines. An obvious alternative would be to make it a point-to-point trip, returning via train to Windsor. Although the route is enjoyable either as a cycle or a walk there’s a few points to note on either option.

Starting from Windsor & Eton Riverside Station, take Farm Yard North to the Thames Path and take a right. Follow the Thames Path on a North-Easterly direction past Romney Lock and through Home park until you reach the bridge that takes the B470 King Edward Avenue over the Thames. Cross the Thames and follow the B470 to Datchet, taking a left onto the B470 Datchet High Street. At the mini roundabout take a right and follow the B376 Horton Road towards the East.

If you’re walking you can take a footpath on the right about 1.5 km along the B376. This will take you alongside the railway line, over a level crossing and eventually to Sunnymeads Station. Continue through Sunnymeads until you reach the B376 again, now called Welley Road. If you’re cycling, you’ll find the footpath a bit tight so it’s best avoided. As a quick diversion continue to the mini-roundabout, taking the second exit onto Welley Road and join up with where the footpath comes out of Sunnymeads.

Continue on the B376 to Wraysbury High Street and take a left onto Station Road. Continue on Station Road until you get to Wraysbury Station. Take a right onto the footpath to the East side of the Colne Brook. The footpath runs parallel to the rail line for ~1.5 km until it connects to Moor Lane just before the M25 overpass. This is best taken on foot but if you’re attempting it by bike make sure you’re on a mountain bike as it’s quite uneven and rooty. If you’re cycling and want to avoid this section, its best to take the right turn onto the B376 Staines Road at Wraysbury rather than left to Wraysbury Station. This will take you through Hythe End directly into Staines Town Centre.

Whichever option you have just taken, you’ll end up at the Two Rivers Shopping Centre. Here' you’ll cross both the River Colne and River Wraysbury (stars of previous cycle trips). Follow clear signage through the town to Staines Railway Station. From the station you’re ~ 500m from the Thames Path which gives you a very easily navigable return route to Windsor.

Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Thames, Railway, Colne Valley, Berkshire, Surrey, EnglandComment
Runnymede and Old Windsor Circular Walk
New Cut at Ham Island

New Cut at Ham Island

Start & Finish: The National Trust Car Park, Windsor Rd, Englefield Green, Windsor SL4 2JL
Distance: 7.5 km (4.7 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 23 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Pubs / Cafes on route: Magna Carta Tea Room (SL4 2JJ), Coffee Shop at Windsor Farm Shop (SL4 2RQ)
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Runnymede National Trust, Runnymede, Old Windsor, Ham Island

For the third and final part of our Runnymede walking trilogy we returned to the main National Trust Car park and headed North. This walk centres on a quiet part of the Thames Path to the East of Old Windsor. It’s a part of the National Trail that I’d often cycled many years ago but very little recently.

The first half is very easy to navigate as you just follow the Thames Path North until the Southlea Road Bridge. Along the way you’ll divert away from the actual route of the Thames and along New Cut, a man-made channel which created Ham Island on it’s Eastern bank. At Southlea Bridge walk up the stone steps and turn left, following Southlea Road for ~700m. The right hand side of the road is all private Crown Estate land and you can visit the Farm Shop for a mid-walk coffee.

Continue South-East as Southlea Road continues onto Straight Road through Old Windsor. Turn left onto Church Road and continue until the junction. Here you have 2 options: continue straight (East) to St Peters and Andrews Church, eventually reconnecting with the Thames Path, or taking the right hand footpath. The first option gives you a simple route back but you’ll be retracing your steps along the river. The later option takes you through the residential area back to Straight Road. Here you turn left and continue back to the Thames Path further down.

Richard gowerTrek, Thames, National Trust, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Walking The Beeches Way
Lord Boston’s Folly, Hedsor

Lord Boston’s Folly, Hedsor

For a well signed route very close to my home, it’s odd that I’d not completed this one years ago. At 27km (18 miles) this would have made for a good training for an ultra marathon so I kept it on the back burner for when I needed it. When the Covid-19 Lockdown came and all races cancelled, it was time to bring it forward. So, as soon as it was acceptable to travel a small distance from home, we decided that it was time to tackle it.

The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

SECTION 1 - COOKHAM TO STOKE COMMON

Start: The Ferry, Sutton Road, Cookham, Maidenhead, SL6 9SN
Finish: Bus Stop on the B416 at Stoke Common, Stoke Poges, SL2 4DP
Distance: 11.5 km (7.1 miles)
Elevation change: +118m / -69m. Net -49m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop, Shakespeare’s Way, Buckinghamshire Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Beeches Cycleway
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: The Blackwood Arms, The Beeches Eco Cafe, several in Farnham Common
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Cookham, Hedsor, Burnham Beeches, Farnham Common, Stoke Common

The best place to start is the Ferry, a lovely riverside pub and restaurant next to the road crossing on the Thames at Cookham. The car park is for customers only but there’s other parking options nearby if you’re driving to the start. For the rail-return option (see below for details), Cookham Station is a 1.3 km walk to the Ferry.

From the Ferry, cross the road bridge and look out for the footpath on the right hand side of the road past the county sign for Buckinghamshire. Here you’ll cross a field and rejoin the Thames for a short distance. After passing through a small gated estate you’ll cross Hedsor Hill Road and onto a track that passes St Nicholas Church on the right and Hedsor Folly on the left. The 1km from Hedsor Lane to Broad Lane is pretty steep but once you get to the top the rest of this section is fairly flat.

As you continue along the Beeches Way you’ll notice that there’s a lot of signage to assist you. Be careful though as the Beeches Way signs are poorly maintained and many have faded or have moved, pointing in ambiguous directions. As the route also follows Shakespeare’s Way, you can look out for that route’s stickers, but a map or GPS route would be very helpful.

At approx 5.5 km in you’ll pass the Blackwood Arms, location of some Midsomer Murders episodes and a good place for a rest at approximately half way in. From here you’re only 1 km from the section than runs through Burnham Beeches, a well maintained country park and nature reserve. From Burnham Beeches you’ll pass through Farnham Common and woodland before reaching the end of this section at Stoke Common.

There’s a bus stop at the B416 Gerrards Cross Road with connections to Amerham, Wycombe, Gerrards Cross and Slough. If you’re driving the parking options are extremely limited here so an alternative end point would be Farnham Common. This would reduce section 1 by just over 2 km and add it to section 2.

SECTION 2 - STOKE COMMON to Langley Park

Start: Bus Stop on the B416 at Stoke Common, Stoke Poges, SL2 4DP
Finish: Langley Park Car Park, Billet Lane, Iver, SL0 0LT
Distance: 7.3 km (4.5 miles)
Elevation change: +48m / -65m. Net -17m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Beeches Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Black Horse Fulmer, San Remo Kiosk Black Park, Langley Park Tearoom
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Stoke Common, Fulmer, Black Park, Langley Park

From the B416 Gerrards Cross Road enter Stoke Common and follow the main North-Easterly path to the footpath exit on Stoke Common Road. Take a left onto Windmill Road down to Fulmer village centre. The Black Horse pub is one of our favourites and a good, albeit pricey, stop for a meal. On the North side of St James’ Church, take the footpath to the right before the bridge over the Alderbourne Stream. The trail follows the stream for ~300m before heading uphill through fields and into the private Fulmer Rise Estate.

Continue through the Fulmer Rise estate to exit and take a left onto Fulmer Common Road. When we got to the big metal footpath gate we found that one of the residents had locked it off with a bike chain. Some other walkers had already turned around and gone back to Fulmer. We asked a nice lady in the nearest house to open the car gate for us and continued on our way. Hopefully that was a one-off incident of public right-of-way blocking but we reported it to the council anyway.

A short way down Fulmer Common Road, take the first right onto Black Park Road and then a path ~400m on the left into Black Park. This is one of my favourite Country Parks and location of my home parkrun event. There’s many trails through the park but you’re basically heading South East to the footpath exit onto the A420 Uxbridge Road. Keeping to the Western side of the park will take you around the lake and past 2 cafes while the Eastern side will give you a glimpse of the back of Pinewood Studios at the North End.

At the South-East corner of Black park you can cross over the A420 Uxbridge Road to enter the North Eastern corner of Langley Park. Be very careful crossing this road as it can be extremely busy with cars travelling very fast. With the noisy road behind you, you can now enjoy the peace of the Rhododendron walks through Temple Gardens. This stage of the walk ends at the Langley Park cafe and car park as you emerge from Temple Gardens.

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SECTION 3 - Langley Park to West Drayton Railway Station

Start: Langley Park Car Park, Billet Lane, Iver, SL0 0LT
Finish: Station Approach, Yiewsley, West Drayton UB7 9DY, United Kingdom
Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
Elevation change: +29m / -61m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Shakespeare’s Way, London Loop, Grand Union Canal, Grand Union Canal Slough Arm, Colne Valley Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 61
London Coal Duty Posts: 69
Pubs / Cafes on route: Langley Park Tearoom, The Swan At Iver, The Rail Road Cafe West Drayton
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Langley Park, Iver, Yiewsley

From the Langley Park car park follow any of several footpaths through the park to the South Eastern corner. Here you’ll pick up a path heading directly East with sign-post for the Beeches Way, Shakespeare’s Way, Colne Valley Trail and NCN 61. Continue following the Beeches Way for 3 km on an Easterly direction. You’ll cross over Billet Lane, Wood Lane and Love Lane along the way, each of these running North/South. When you reach Bangor’s Road South you’ll turn right onto it, following South-East for ~300m before turning left onto Coppins Lane. Continue North along Coppins Lane and follow it as it turns from a road into a footpath and curves to the East. Watch out for a junction in the footpath and be careful to turn right rather than continuing on the Colne Valley Trail

After leaving Coppins Lane you’ll continue due South for just over 1 km and will reach Iver High Street. Cross over the High Street and continue South along Thorney Lane North. When you see signs for the Beeches Way pointing left down Victoria Crescent DO NOT follow them. A bridge over the canal further down this section has been removed but the signs have not been updated. See this blog post for more details. Instead, continue South down Thorney Lane North until you cross the Grand Union Canal. On the South West corner of the bridge you can walk down to the canal towpath. Walk East along the towpath and you’ll rejoin the Beeches Way.

Follow the canal for ~1 km, crossing over both the Colne Brook and River Colne. When you reach a big metal footbridge crossing over the canal watch out for sign-posts and a Coal Post. Take a right onto the path leading from the bridge and continue South East. After ~1 km you’ll cross the River Frays and across a residential island then over the main section of the Grand Union Canal. Follow the Grand Union South East for ~500m until you reach the end of the route at West Drayton.

Accessing the start and end by train

We tackled the Beeches way by leaving a car at either end of each of the point-to-point sections. If you want to complete the route in 1 day there’s also an option to take a train from one end to the other. Cookham Station is 1.3 km from the start of the route at the Thames river bridge and the end of the route is very close to West Drayton station. From West Drayton you can take a train heading west and change at Maidenhead. From Maidenhead take a train towards Marlow or Bourne End and get off at Cookham.

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Canal, Thames, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex, England, Coal Duty PostComment
Runnymede Memorials Circular Walk
Far East side of the NT estate near the Runnymede Hotel and Spa

Far East side of the NT estate near the Runnymede Hotel and Spa

Start & Finish: The National Trust Car Park, Windsor Rd, Englefield Green, Windsor SL4 2JL
Distance: 7 km (4.5 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 91 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: Magna Carta Tea Room (SL4 2JJ), Runnymede Cafe (TW20 0AE)
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: National Trust Runnymede and Ankerwycke, RAF Memorial Runnymede, Lutyen’s Kiosks, Magna Carta

This is a short walk that packs in a lot of history. Runnymede is a National Trust site on the banks of the Thames to the South East of Windsor. It’s most famous for being the location where the Magna Carta, a charter of rights and basis of modern law, was signed by King John in 1215. This walk combines a pleasant section of the Thames path with the main memorials and monuments in the area.

Start at the National Trust car-park (free to members) opposite the Tea Rooms. From here follow the Thames Path for ~2.75 km to the Runnymede Hotel and Spa just before the M25 river crossing. Both the National Trust managed banks of the river and the Pleasure Ground are great places to stop for a picnic in the summer. Watch out for the Queen Elizabeth statue in the Pleasure Grounds and the paintings on the lock-keepers cottage at Bell Weir Lock.

At the Eastern end of the Runnymede Hotel you’l find a footpath that takes you away from the river, through the car-park and up to the A308 Windsor Road. As you cross the road you’ll see 2 octagonal brick buildings called the Lutyens Kiosks. These were commissioned by architect Edward Lutyens to commemorate the death of MP Urban Broughton who died in 1929.

With the kiosks behind you continue along the footpath across the fields in a westerly direction for just over 1 km. Here you’ll find a path that takes you up into Cooper’s Hill Woods and onto Cooper’s Hill Lane. Continue for ~1km past the Kingswood University campus on your left to the gates of the RAF Memorial on your right. The RAF Memorial commemorates more than 20,000 airmen and women who were lost in the Second World War who have no known grave. I’ve been there several times before and always found it to be a peaceful, thought-provoking place.

On exiting the RAF Memorial, take a left onto Cooper’s Hill Road and retrace your steps to a footpath that takes you North into the woods at the Western corner of the memorial property. This path takes you steeply down and back to the fields where the main Runnymede memorials are located. The final 1 km of the walk is worth taking slowly to fully appreciate the history and significance of the memorials and works of art. In order you’ll pass Writ In Water, The American Bar Association Magna Carta Monument, The JFK Memorial and The Jurors artwork. The National Trust page for Runnymede is a great start for finding out more about these.

After The Jurors, you’ll be back at the A308 Windsor Road with the Car Park on the other side.

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elevation_profile (1).jpg
Richard gowerTrek, Thames, National Trust, Windsor, Berkshire, Surrey, EnglandComment
Cycling The Slough to Windsor Railway
Arches near Eton Wick

Arches near Eton Wick

Start & Finish: Slough Railway Station, Brunel Way, Slough SL2 5BY
Distance: 9.8 km (6 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 48m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Jubilee River, Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4, 61, 461
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: Loads in Windsor and Eton
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Slough, Slough Station, Slough-Windsor & Eton Line, Chalvey Halt Station, Windsor, Windsor & Eton Central Station, Slough & Windsor Railway Society

Having explored some local branch lines on foot in the last few weeks, it was now time to get on my bike for another one. This is the 2 mile line that connects the GWR mainline at Slough to Windsor and Eton Central. If you’re arriving by train check out Station Jim on platform 5 for a bit of geeky canine station history.

From the main (South) entrance of Slough station, head West along Brunel way and take a left onto B416. Be careful here as its a very busy road. We were there very early on a Sunday morning so it was quiet, but you still need your wits about you. At the big junction take a right onto the A4 and continue for 300 metres before taking a left onto Burlington Road. This keeps you as close as possible to the track as it curves away from the GWR mainline around the site of the old Thames Valley University.

Continue South-West along Burlington Road, right onto The Crescent and right onto Chalvey Road East. Here you’ll see the metal bridge that takes the rail line over the main road. To the North of the bridge was the site of Chalvey Halt, a station that was only open between May 1929 and July 1930. Take a left onto Ragstone Road before the rail bridge. Ragstone Road curves round to the East after about 100 metres where you’ll find a road that continues South parallel to the track. When we got there the gates at the entrance to the road were locked. As a diversion we continued along Ragstone Road, took a right onto the A332 to pass under the M4 then took the path on the right to follow the the North side of the Jubilee River. This path continues for a short distance to the rail crossing of the Jubilee River then curves off to the North to meet the path that we had planned to be on. Take a left to pass under the rail line then immediately left.

From here the path follows tight to the rail line all the way to the River Thames. You’ll pass under the M4, over the Jubilee River, under the A355 spur road and onto fields at the back of Eton College. With the Slough section now behind you the route gets significantly more pleasant as it passes the brick arches that hold the line high overground through to the centre of Windsor. When you reach the Thames you can’t follow the track over the river so you’ll need to divert West to the A355 road bridge, cross there and return East until you meet the rail line again at Alexandra Gardens.

After passing under the rail line take a right to follow the North side of the track through Alexandra Car Park. At Goswell Road take a right, pass under the arch and then a left. You’ll now be in the service area of the shopping centre next to the station. Continue up the hill until you see a set of steps and a ramp that takes you up to the main station concourse. You’ll now be in what was a very large station opposite Windsor Castle. The modern station is tucked away at the back of the shops and cafes.

From Windsor there’s many options for longer rides back to Slough. The fastest, most direct route is to take the B3022 Thames Street as it descends from the Castle back to the river. Cross over Eton Bridge and follow Eton High Street (B3022) heading North. At the roundabout next to the Jubilee River continue North onto the A332 back to Slough Town Centre. When you reach the big A4 junction from the start of the trip, take a right onto Wellington Street (A4) then a left before Tesco back onto Brunel Way, finishing back at the station. Once you leave Eton there’s nothing pleasant or interesting about this section so I recommend taking the train back if you’re walking the line rather than cycling it.

Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Railway, ThamesComment