Posts tagged Thames
Cycling The Salt Hill Stream, Hay Mill Stream and Chalvey Ditch
A view of the Chalvey Ditch stream flowing through a concrete culvert under the M4 motorway bridge at Cippenham.

The Chalvey Ditch before it passes under the M4 at Cippenham

I was inspired to cycle the Salt Hill Stream and Hay Mill Stream / Chalvey Ditch after joining an event called Slough’s Lost Rivers. This event was hosted by Project Sponge in 2025 that helped us learn more about these lesser known streams. I had a particular interest in finding out more about the Chalvey Ditch as it runs through Cippenham where my parents grew up. I remember my Dad telling me stories of how he used to play in the open fields around the village green. The fields are now long gone, having been replaced by housing, but the stream that he would have played near is still there if you know where to look.

A big thanks to Gerald Higgins whose research into these streams has been a great contributor to the content of this post.

The Salt Hill Stream

The stream used to feed the mill which was in Salt Hill Park just north of the A4 Bath Road. The stream which flows through Salt Hill Park has two main feeder streams. The longest one starts near Fulmer on the edge of Frame Wood just south of Stoke Common and flows in a south-westerly direction through Stoke Park.

The easterly feeder starts in Stoke Wood, just to the east of Farnham Common and flows south into Brockhurst Wood, through South Buckinghamshire Golf Course and into Stoke Park. The two feeder streams converge near Northern Road, south of Stoke Park and at the northern end of the Manor Park estate. From there the stream flows south to Salt Hill Park, under the M4 and the Jubilee River towards the Thames. It goes across Eton College land and goes under Beggars Bridge on the Slough Road and flows along the side of Pococks Lane to join the River Thames.

The Hay Mill Stream and Chalvey Ditch

The stream used to start on the east side of Bedford Drive then went across into what is now Burnham Beeches. It flows into Upper Pond and on into Middle Pond. From here it flows to Swilley Pond and goes under Hawthorn Lane. From Swilley Pond the old course was across Crow Piece Lane and down the valley behind Burnham Civic Amenity Site. The course went across Farnham Lane near the junction with Walton Lane through Cocksherd Wood and continued down the valley to flow into the mill pond.

The whole area of the mill pond is now Haymill Valley Community Nature Reserve (The Millie), and the underground reservoir by Burnham Lane. The stream flows through the Millie although a lot of it is through reed beds. It enters a culvert before going underground again. Streamside Walk follows the course until it reappears out of the culvert passing through housing to cross under the M4 near Asda. When it emerges on the other side it has been diverted from its original course to run on the north side of the Jubilee River. It goes under the A355 and meets up with the stream from Salt Hill. From this point the stream flows west and joins its original course. It flows across Eton College land and goes under 14 Arch Bridge. It continues across Eton College land to join the River Thames.

The Cycle Route

For the cycle route I started with the Salt Hill Stream on the easterly feeder, following its course as closely as possible to the Thames. Then I followed the Thames to find the confluence with the Chalvey Ditch to follow it up to its source.

Cycle route start and end: The Broadway, Farnham Common, Slough SL2 3NE
Cycle route length: 28.7 km (17.8 miles)
Cycle route elevation change: +/- 126m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Beeches Way, Shakespeare’s Way, Jubilee River Path, Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): Beeches Cycleway, NCN 4, 461
Maps:
- Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenhead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Farnham Common, Slough, Chalvey, Jubilee River, Eton, Eton Wick, Cippenham, Burnham

 

Part 1: Cycling the Salt Hill Stream from the source to the confluence with the Thames

This section starts at Farnham Common where there’s a parade of shops, a Costa Coffee and several pubs and restaurants. The village, on the edge of Burnham Beeches, was historically a stomping ground for highwaymen and is now a peaceful gateway to the Beeches. It’s a good meeting place for several cycle routes in the area. From the shops cycle north along the A355 Beaconsfield Road and then take a right onto Templewood Lane. At approximately 1.5 km into the route you’ll pass over the Salt Hill Stream. This is the closest you’ll get to the start of the stream as the source is inside the private woodland to the north of the lane.

Continue along Templewood Lane then take a right on the bridleway when the land curves to the left. Follow this bridleway in a southerly direction, connecting to the Beeches Way and Shakespeare’s Way. When you reach the first house on the right take a right to follow a small lane which leads to a footpath heading west through woodland back towards Farnham Common.

Shortly after the 3km point of the trip you’ll descend down to the Salt Hill Stream crossing over a small arched brick bridge. Continue along the path between Ingram’s Copse and Parson’s Wood to Parsonage Lane. Take a left onto Parsonage Lane and follow it in a southerly direction to the junction with Park Road. Take a right onto Park Road to the double roundabout at Farnham Royal. Take a left to follow Farnham Road in a southerly direction then a left onto Church Road. Follow Church Road as it becomes a bridleway then take a left onto Northern Road. You’re now in the Manor Park Estate.

Navigate Villiers Road, Douglas Road, Stanton Road, Granville Avenue and Pippin Close to travel south into the north-western corner of Granville Recreation Ground. Here you’ll see the Salt Hill Stream on the western edge of the park. Continue south through the park then exit onto Waterbeach Road where you’ll take a left. Cross over Oatlands Drive onto Hughenden Road, following it east into Godolphin Recreation Ground. Follow the eastern edge of the Recreation Ground, under the railway bridge and into Salt Hill Park. Here you’ll get some good views of the Salt Hill Stream with several information boards describing it.

At the southern exit of Salt Hill Park carefully cross over the busy A4 Bath Road and pick up the path that runs alongside the stream on the western side of the Montem Ice Rink. Look out for the Montem Mound. This Scheduled Ancient Monument is an Anglo-Saxon burial mound (tumulus) dating back to the 7th century, originally thought to be the burial site of a high-status individual. It was also the site of the bizarre 'Eton Montem' ceremony held by Eton College students until 1847.

Take a left when you get to Church Street then a right onto Chalvey High Street, a left onto Spackmans Way then a left onto the cycle path at the junction of Spackmans Way and Primary Road. Continue along the path then curve to the right when it reaches the railway line.

When you reach the Jubilee River follow the path on the northern side where you’ll cross over the Salt Hill Stream before you cross this man-made flood relief channel. Completed in 2002, it diverts water from the River Thames to reduce flood risk in Maidenhead, Windsor, and Eton. It has since become a thriving wildlife corridor for birds and fish.

Once on the southern side of the Jubilee River take a left to follow the Jubilee River footpath back in an easterly direction, shortly crossing over the Salt Hill Stream as it emerges from the river. Continue east under the railway then take a right onto a path that crosses over Woodham Road and into the grounds of an Eton College Sports Field.

Continue through the grounds of the sports field then take a right onto the B3022 Slough Road. After the mini roundabout take a left to follow the path past the Upper Club gatehouse then curve round to the right to follow a path that runs parallel to the Thames. Right after the curve you’ll reach a small bridge over the Salt Hill Stream. Here you can see the confluence of the Colenorton Brook with the River Thames.

 

Part 2: Between the Colenorton Brook and Boveney Ditch

Boveney Ditch before it meets the Thames

From the Colenorton Bridge in Upper Club, continue cycling in a south-westerly direction back to the B3022 Slough Road. Cross over the B3022 and follow Common Lane in a north-westerly direction through the heart of Eton College. This world-famous public school, founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. The college has educated 20 British Prime Ministers and features historic architecture dating back to the 15th century.

Follow the path on the eastern side of the Eton Great Common to Eton Wick Road. Cross over Eton Wick Road and follow the path diagonally across the field to cross under the railway bridge. Continue in a south-westerly direction to reach Meadow Lane next to the Thames. Take a right onto Meadow Lane, following it under the A332 to join up with the Thames Path.

Follow the Thames Path to Boveney Bridge where you’ll see the confluence of the Boveney Ditch and the River Thames. This small watercourse joins the Thames near Boveney. Nearby is St Mary Magdalene Church, a 12th-century church that served the bargees (barge workers) on the Thames. It is now cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches.

Take a right onto the path on the eastern side of Boveney Bridge to follow it north along the eastern side of Eton Wick Recreation Ground to Eton Wick Road. Eton Wick is a village that grew to support the college and the castle. The recreation ground here offers open views of Windsor Castle in the distance. Take a left onto Eton Wick Road then first right on to Bell Lane. Take a left onto Alma Road, a right onto Inkerman Road and another right onto Moores Lane.

Follow Moores Lane in a northerly direction as it becomes a path then cross over the Jubilee River bridge. Take a right onto Wood Lane and continue following it north over the M40. Once you get to the northern side of the M40 bridge take a right to follow the path around the southern side of Asda, heading east to where you’ll meet the Chalvey Ditch. To the south the Chalvey Ditch crosses under the M40 to join the Salt Hill Stream before they both cross under the Jubilee River. We will now be following it north to its source.

 

Part 3: Cycling The Chalvey Ditch from the Jubilee River to the source

Starting from the bridge before the Chalvey Ditch crosses under the M40 follow a path heading north between houses, keeping the Ditch on your left hand side. Cross over Telford Drive and keep the Ditch on your left. When you reach Lodge Farm Park take a left to head west to cross over Telford Drive again. Follow the paths, now keeping the Ditch on your right. Cross over Richards Way continuing west and crossing the ditch twice over small bridges. Take a right onto Waterman Court, now heading north onto Millstream Lane on the eastern side of Cippenham Village Green.

The Village Green is a remnant of the old village of Cippenham, which was once a royal manor. The green is the heart of the historic village, surrounded by older cottages that contrast with the modern development nearby. You’ll see the ditch run right in front of the houses.

Once you reach Lower Cippenham Lane on the northern side of the village green, the Ditch disappears underground only to reappear a bit further north at Haymill Valley Community Nature Reserve. Cross over Lower Cippenham Lane heading north to Ward Gardens. Take a left onto Bowyer Drive then a right onto Elmshott Lane and follow it north to the A4.

Cross over the A4 and follow Station Road to Burnham Lane. Cross Burnham Lane to find a small footpath leading to Littlebrook Avenue. Find the entrance to Haymill Valley Community Nature Reserve. This reserve occupies the site of the former mill pond for the medieval 'Ay Mill'. When the mill fell into disuse after WWII, the pond silted up and became a reed bed. It is now a haven for reed warblers and kingfishers. Follow the path in a northerly direction to the top of the reserve near Whittaker Road. This is the final place you’ll see the uncovered Chalvey Ditch.

To complete the journey cross Whittaker Road and cross Lammas Meadow to Long Furlong Drive. Take Lynch Hill Lane in a northerly direction then take the path through Cocksherd Woods to join Farnham Lane. Follow Farnham Lane in an easterly direction then take a left onto Crown Lane. Follow Crown Lane north, then take a right onto Hawthorn Lane and a left onto Bedford Drive.

The route concludes near Burnham Beeches Nature Reserve. It is famous for its ancient pollarded beech trees, some of which are nearly 500 years old. The area has been a filming location for numerous movies, including Harry Potter and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. At the entrance to Burnham Beeches take a right onto Beeches Road to return back to the start at Farnham Common on the A355 Beaconsfield Road.

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Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Canal, Thames, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, EnglandComment
London's Coal Duty Posts

View to Rushett Farm airstrip from the Coal Post on the north edge of Ashtead Woods

The Coal Post Boundary compared with the current Greater London Boundary and the M25

Not content with visiting all of the Greater London High Points and OS Trig Pillars in London, I set myself the mission to visit all of the over 200 London Coal Duty Posts that are still standing.

The London Coal Duty Posts mark a fascinating chapter in the capital's history of taxation and urban development. Erected primarily in the 1860s, these posts denote the irregular boundary, roughly 12 to 18 miles from central London, where a tax was levied on coal (and for a period, wine) entering the Metropolitan Police District. This ancient duty, which dates back to the 17th century, was a vital source of income for the Corporation of London, initially intended to fund the rebuilding of the city after the devastating Great Fire of 1666.

The purpose of these posts was to provide clear, visible markers of where the duty became payable, ensuring that no one could feign ignorance of the tax. With the advent of canals and railways in the 19th century, which brought coal into London through new routes, it became necessary to extend the collection points beyond the traditional river Thames entry. Approximately 280 posts were installed along roads, railways, and canals, and remarkably, over 200 of them still survive today, many of them now Grade II listed buildings. While the duty was generally not collected at the posts themselves (this was usually handled by transport companies or coal merchants), the posts served as an undeniable physical demarcation of the chargeable zone.

Though the coal duties were finally abolished in 1890, these unassuming markers remain a tangible link to London's past. The funds raised from these taxes played a significant role in financing numerous crucial public works and improvements across the growing metropolis. Projects such as the construction of the Thames Embankment, the Holborn Viaduct, and the freeing of several Thames bridges from tolls were all beneficiaries of this revenue. So, the next time you encounter one of these distinctive posts, take a moment to appreciate its subtle but profound historical significance – a small piece of iron that helped shape the modern fabric of London.

If you want to find out more about the Coal Duty Posts I highly recommend visiting Martin Nail’s website. It’s an amazingly thorough documentation of the history, location and conditions of the posts. Rather than reproduce anything here, my post below contains my own photos, notes and links to Coal Post themed walks and cycle trips that I have done. I’ve used Martin’s Coal Post numbering and where there’s a link to a specific post it goes to the relevant page on Martin’s website.

If you spot any errors on this page or have new information about any of the posts that I have missed please contact me or comment below. I’ll donate £1 to one of the outdoor causes that I support for every edit made.

The North-East: Posts 1 to 31.

Anti-clockwise from Dagenham to the A1(M). The first 6 posts (#s 0a to 0f) are missing. Coal Post #1 is the first extant post north of the Thames in the east. Scroll down to the Notes section at the bottom of this page for details of missing photos.

 

The North-West: Posts 33 to 83

Anti-clockwise from the A1(M) to the River Thames at Staines. Scroll down to the Notes section at the bottom of this page for details of missing photos.

The South-West: Posts 84 to 164

Anti-clockwise from the River Thames at Staines to Hooley. Scroll down to the Notes section at the bottom of this page for details of missing photos.

The South-East: Posts 165 to 217

Anti-clockwise from the River Thames at Staines to Hooley. Scroll down to the Notes section at the bottom of this page for details of missing photos.

The Final Coal Duty Post at Erith

Although I visited most of the posts in a fairly random order, I saved the final extant and in-place post to the end. I had unknowingly cycled past it years before on the London Loop ride. It’s very easy to miss though as the post is off the path on a grassy peninsula next to the confluence of the rivers Darent and Thames.

To access it, park at the corner of Burnett Road and Ness Road and take the footpath running in a south easterly direction to the footpath running along the river Darent. This path forms part of the London Loop, Cray Riverway Path and the National Cycle Network Route 1. Take a left to follow the path towards the Thames. When you reach the confluence, leave the path to carefully walk down the grassy part where you’ll find the pillar

The Randoms

Here’s a few other posts and markers related to the Corporation of London that are not in Martin’s List of Coal Duty Posts:

Comment below or contact me if you know of any other pillars, posts or markers related to the Corporation of London boundary.

Coal Duty Posts in Museums

  • Coal Duty Post 5 is now at Valence House Museum, Dagenham. It was moved to the museum following road widening in 1960. It is currently outside the museum to left of the front door.

  • Coal Duty Post 63. In Museum of London reserve collections. Originally at the side of Springwell Lane in parapet of Drayton Ford Bridge. Removed in 1923 and in current ownership since 1965. I contacted the Museum in summer 2025 to enquire about visiting the stone but at the time it was not available to see it.

  • Coal Duty Posts 74 and 75 are now on display at the Chiltern Open Air Museum in Chalfont St. Giles. They were removed in 1982 in advance of construction of the M25 motorway and have been at the museum since 1998.

  • Coal Duty Post 83, also known as The London Stone, is now on display at Spelthorne Museum in Staines, It was first moved in 1986 and has been at the museum since 2004; it was replaced at its original location by a replica.

Notes

  • #5 has been relocated to the outside of the Valance Museum. See the section on Coal Duty Posts in Museums.

  • #10 is inaccessible but, according to coaldutyposts.co.uk, is visible from the train.

  • #16 is shown as extant on coaldutyposts.co.uk but I couldn't find it when visited in March 2025. Possible road widening or just overgrown?

  • #17 is missing.

  • #32 is missing. See this article for an interesting story about it.

  • #42 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from road”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

  • #50 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from public footpath on opposite side of railway” I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

  • #51 is also the highest point of of the London Borough of Hillingdon.

  • #56 is missing.

  • #218 is out of sequence with the anti-clockwise numbering of the other post. Located between #60 and #62

  • #61 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On private land but visible from permissive footpath on other bank of river”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2020.

  • #63 is now in the reserve collection of the Museum of London

  • #64 is on a Private Road. I decided not to visit.

  • #71 is missing.

  • #79 is on private land. I decided not to visit.

  • #95 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “In grounds of Middle Thames Yacht Club at N side of Sunbury Lock Ait”. I visited in April 2025, assisted by 2 members of the Sunbury Yacht Club but couldn't find it and they couldn’t remember seeing it before. Maybe now missing?

  • #111 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from Stokesheath Road”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

  • #112 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “In garden of house but visible from road”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

  • #135 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “In garden of house but visible from road”. New high fence installed. Not visible when visited in 2025.

  • #170 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from road”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

  • #197 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from Crown Close”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

  • #206 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from public footpath on opposite side of railway”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

  • #216 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from public footpath”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

  • I’ve not listed any Coal Duty Posts on this page that were identified as missing on coaldutyposts.co.uk. These are mostly identified with a letter after the number (e.g. 66a). The exceptions are posts identified as missing on coaldutyposts.co.uk but don’t have a letter after the number (e.g. 71) which I’ve noted above.

More London blog posts

Richard gowerCycle, Trek, Canal, Railway, Thames, London, England, Middlesex, Colne Valley, Coal Duty Post Comments
Walking The River Brent Path

River Brent at the Wharncliffe Viaduct

Start: Brentham Allotments, Lynwood Rd, London, W5 1JL
Finish: Kew Bridge Road, Brentford, TW8 0FJ
Distance: 15.4 km (9.6 miles)
Elevation change: +64m / -83m. Net -19m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Capital Ring, Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): C40, Grand Union Canal Towpath
Pubs / Cafes on route: Hanwell Zoo Cafe (7.3 km in), several at Brentford Lock (12.5 km in), One Over The Ait at the end.
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Brent River and Canal Society (BRCS), River Brent Park, Hanwell Zoo, Wharncliffe Viaduct, River Brent, Grand Union Canal, Brentford Dock, Brentford, Kew Bridge

In the heart of West London, Ealing is famed for its leafy suburbs and Victorian charm. But for those seeking a true escape, look no further than the Brent River Park Walk. This green corridor, tracing the meandering path of the River Brent, offers a surprisingly wild and tranquil journey right on your doorstep.

The Brent River Park is the result of dedicated campaigning by the Brent River and Canal Society (BRCS) to protect the river valley. The resulting linear park stretches for approximately 7 km within the Borough of Ealing, encompassing about 400 hectares of green space.

Starting near Greenford and winding its way south towards Hanwell and the Grand Union Canal, the path connects several major open spaces, creating an uninterrupted haven for both wildlife and people. As you walk, you'll traverse a varied landscape—from formal parks like Pitshanger Park and Brent Lodge Park to stretches of wilder, almost rural-feeling woodland and meadows.

The walk is much more than just a riverside path; it's a journey past local history and nature. Here are a few highlights you can look forward to:

  • Brent Lodge Park and the Hanwell Zoo: A perfect detour for families, Brent Lodge Park is home to a small, popular zoo, locally known as "The Bunny Park."

  • The Grand Union Canal: The path eventually converges with the Capital Ring and the Grand Union Canal Walk, where you can watch the colourful narrowboats navigate the locks, notably the flight near Hanwell.

  • The Wharncliffe Viaduct: In Hanwell, keep an eye out for the magnificent Wharncliffe Viaduct, an impressive brick structure designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, carrying the Great Western Main Line over the valley.

The route is well-signposted, often sharing its way with sections of the Capital Ring, making navigation straightforward and allowing for flexible starting and finishing points.

As a flat, easy walk, you can do it all in a day, however we split it into 2 smaller walks of approximately 8 km with Hanwell Zoo as the split point. There’s a small free car park next to the Zoo on Church Road. Hanwell Station is on the Elizabeth Line and close to this mid-point of the route too. Although the river and the path end at the Thames we continued along the Thames Path to complete the walk at Kew Bridge Station.

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Richard gowerTrek, Canal, Railway, Thames, London, EnglandComment
Cycling The Horton Brook and Datchet Common Brook

Black Park Lake on the Horton Brook

It had been a few years since I thought that I had completed all of the Chiltern and Colne Valley rivers. Then I discovered the Horton Brook and The Datchet Common Brook on a map and needed to explore them too. Both are small and easily missed unless you’re looking out for them. They snake through fields and residential areas to the east of Slough but you can walk or cycle fairly close to them if you know where to look. Both of the brook’s sources are close to each other at Fulmer and and have confluences with the Thames near Wraysbury. This means that both can be discovered in a 40 km cycle ride, following the Horton brook from the source then the Datchet Common Brook from its confluence back to the source.

 

Cycling the Horton Brook from the source to the confluence with the Thames

River start: Boundary of Black Park and Pinewood Studios, Fulmer
River end: Confluence with the River Thames in National Trust, Ankerwyke
River length: 19.7 km (12.2 miles)
Links: DEFRA: Horton Brook

We started our cycle trip at the north-eastern corner of Black Park at the junction of Fulmer Common Road, Alderbourne Lane and Pinewood Road. Different maps show the source of the Brook either right on this corner or a little further south along the boundary of Black Park and Pinewood Studios. I’ve been cycling and walking there for years but always thought that it was a ditch.

After ~700m from Fulmer Common Road, the Brook cuts diagonally across the Country Park to empty into Black Park Lake, emerging on the south western side near the path to the car park. After Black Park the Brook crosses under Rowley Lane and into Rowley Farm. We cycled through the farm on the Rowley Farm Trail but ended up taking a fairly convoluted route to not stay very close to the Brook. The easiest route is to follow the A420 to George Green, although be very careful here is it’s a busy dual carriageway.

After the A420 the Brook snakes through George Green, Middle Green, across Langley Park Road and under the Grand Union Canal Slough Arm. Cycling close to the Brook is pretty straightforward and there’s a nice straight section of the canal to follow. After leaving the canal at Mansion Lane you’ll cross uner the railway and take a left onto Parlaunt Road then right onto Old Slade Lane. Meanwhile, the Brook passes through a field and Ritchlings Park Golf Club. After crossing over the M4, leave the Colne Valley Trail at a footpath junction and follow a messy path initially parallel to the motorway then cutting through a field to cross over the A4 Colnbrook Bypass. Here you’ll briefly re-join the Colne Valley Trail through Colnbrook village. After Colnbrook follow Horton Road keeping the Brook and The Queen Mother Reservoir on your right. Cross over Datchet Road to follow Park Lane and onto the footpath through the lakes to Station Road.

At Station Road you can take a left heading east to the bridge where the Brook flows under and into Wraysbury Lake. According to the DEFRA site, this is where the Horton Brook ends. The Wraysbury Lakes Ditch takes water from the lake and into the Colne Brook, which itself flows into the Thames at Runnymede.

For a more interesting cycle ride we took a right onto Station Road, passing through Wraysbury High Street then took at right into Magna Carta Lane. Here you can pass through the National Trust Ankerwyke site to connect to an arm of the Horton Brook that joins the Thames to the east of Ankerycke Yew. The paths through the National Trust site are for walking so best to lock your bikes up at the parking area.

 

Cycling The Datchet Common Brook from the Thames to the source

River start: Fulmer Wood Lake, Slough, SL3 6AA
River end: Confluence with the River Thames near The Avenue, Sunnymeads, Wraysbury, Staines, TW19 5EY
River length: 11.3 km (7 miles)
Links: DEFRA: Datchet Common Brook

From the end of the Horton Brook return to the B376 Staines Road and take a left towards Wraysbury. At the mini roundabout continue on the B376, then take a left onto The Avenue at Sunnymeads. Look out for the bridge over the Datchet Common Brook near house #37. This is the closest you’ll get to the confluence with the Thames which is behind the houses on the western side of the road.

After the bridge, turn around and take the next left onto Acacia Avenue to Sunnymeads Station. Take the footpath on the right to climb the steps back up to Welley Road. Take a left and follow Welley Road to the junction with Datchet Road. Take a left onto Datchet Road and follow it in an easterly direction towards Datchet Common. The Brook follows the Datchet Road on the northern side, following the edge of the Queen Mother Reservoir.

Take a right onto Penn Road, a left onto New Road then a right onto Ditton Road. Take a right at the junction with Major’s Farm Road, running parallel with the M4 until you reach the footbridge. Cross the bridge over the motorway to the northern side and look out for the entrance to Ditton Park on the corner of Ridig Court Road and Ditton Park Road.

You’re now in the most enjoyable part of the ride, following the course of the Brook through Ditton Park to Upton Court Road. At the north-eastern corner of Upton Park, take Quaves Road onto Lascelles Road then take a left on the A4 Wellington Street, crossing over to the northern side where safe to do so. At the large Sainsbury’s Roundabout take the A412 heading north. After crossing over the railway line and canal you can follow the quieter residential roads that run parallel to the A412.

Take a left onto Church Lane then a right onto Wexham Park Lane. Look out for the bridge over the Brook at Valley End at the bottom of the hill. Shortly after Valley End, at a curve in the road, take the footpath on the left called Gallions Lane and follow it in a northerly direction. The Brook will now be on your left running through Wexham Park Golf Course. Just before the end of Gallions Lane take a right to follow the path running parallel to Rowley Lane to the end at Black Park Lane. Follow Black Park Lane in a northerly direction to the end at Fulmer Common Road. When you meet the Shakespeare’s Way and Beeches Way that join from the left you’re now as close as you’ll get to the source of the Datchet Common Brook at Fulmer Wood Lake.

Take a right onto Fulmer Common Road to return to the start of the cycle ride at the north-eastern corner of Black Park

Red = Cycle Route, Green = Datchet Common Brook, Blue = Horton Brook

Elevation for cycle route

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Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Canal, Thames, Chilterns, Colne Valley, National Trust, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Walking The Shakespeare's Way: The Chilterns Section

Rotten Row

The Shakespeare’s Way is a 235 km / 146 mile mile long-distance path connecting Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon with the Shakespeare's Globe (Theatre), Southwark, London. A 34km section of the path cuts through the Chiltern Hills National Landscape in a south-easterly direction. Our walks take in short sections of the Shakespeare’s Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Shakespeare’s Way is reasonably well marked however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

Point to Point: Britwell Salome to The Grand Union Canal at Yiewsley

Start: Britwell Salome, Watlington, OX49 5LG
Finish: Grand Union Tow Path, Yiewsley, West Drayton, UB7 7XN
Distance: 59 km (36.7 miles)
Elevation change: + 665 / - 755m. Net +90m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Maps: See individual section posts linked below.
- Chiltern Hills West Map | Henley-on-Thames & Wallingford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 171
Links: Shakespeare’s Way (LWDA), See individual section posts linked below for other links.

Walking The Shakespeare’s Way Chilterns Section in 12 Circular Routes

If you’re not up for an 59 km walk in one go, you can take in the Shakespeare’s way in 12 circular walks of between 6 and 13 km each. We chose this option, completing all 12 sections over a few years from 2020 to 2025. The advantage of this option is exploring more of the villages and side paths close to the route. After Route 12 you can follow the Beeches Way to reach Yiewsley and the end of the Chilterns Section of the Shakespeare’s Way.

Note that these walks take you through the Chilterns Hills National Landscape. See the Walking The Beeches Way post for the continuation from Cookham to Yiewsley

Each number refers to a circular walk below. Base map: Esri Topo via RideWithGPS

Part 1: Britwell Salome and Lower Warren

  • Distance: 7.8 km (4.8 miles)

  • Elevation change: +/- 123m

  • Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Britwell Salome to The Ridgeway: 2.2 km

Part 2: Swyncombe and The North

  • Distance: 8.1 km (5 miles)

  • Elevation change: +/- 176m

  • Shakespeare’s Way section covered: The Ridgeway to Cookley Green: 3.8 km

Part 3: Swyncombe and Park Corner

  • Distance: 9.9 km (6.2 miles)

  • Elevation change: +/- 199m

  • Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Cookley Green to The Chiltern Way near Maidensgrove: 2.1 km

Part 4: Nettlebed, Park Corner and Maidensgrove

  • Distance: 8.5 km (5.3 miles)

  • Elevation change: +/- 159m

  • Shakespeare’s Way section covered: The Chiltern Way near Maidensgrove to Park Lane: 1.2 km

Part 5: Russell's Water, Pishill and Maidensgrove

  • Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles)

  • Elevation change: +/- 166m

  • Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Maidensgrove Common to farm at south Maidensgrove: 1.32 km

Part 6: Stonor and Turville Heath

  • Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)

  • Elevation change: +/- 208m

  • Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Farm at south of Maidensgrove to Southend: 5.9 km

Part 7: Southend and Skirmett

  • Distance: 12.3 km (7.6 miles)
    Elevation change: +/- 216m
    Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Southend to Hambleden: 5.4 km

Part 8: North-east Hambleden Circular

  • Distance: 9.7 km (6 miles)

  • Elevation change: +/- 145m

  • Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Hamble Brook to Rogues Plantation: 2.9 km

Part 9: Bovingdon Green and Shillingridge Wood

  • Distance: 10.9 km (6.8 miles)
    Elevation change: +/- 152m
    Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Rogues Plantation to Pullingshill Wood: 2.5 km

Part 10: Marlow and Harleyford

  • Distance: 10.2 km (6.3 miles)

  • Elevation change: +/- 94m

  • Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Pullingshill Wood to The Thames Path at Marlow: 3.4 km

Part 11: Marlow Donkey

  • Distance: 11.4 km (7 miles)

  • Elevation change: + / - 65m

  • Shakespeare’s Way section covered: The Thames Path at Marlow to Bourne End Rail Bridge: 3.4 km

Part 12: Bourne End, Cookham and Wooburn

  • Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)

  • Elevation change: +/- 83m

  • Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Bourne End Rail Bridge to Broad Lane, Widmoor: 3.9 km

Back to Chiltern Walks Index
Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Thames, National Trust, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Colne Valley, EnglandComment
Walking the River Wey Part 1: Weybridge and Desborough Island

The Old Wey Bridge

Start & Finish: Churchfield Car Park, Churchfield Road, Weybridge, KT13 8DB
Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 34m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Wey Navigation Footpath, Locks and Levels, Thames Path
Other Routes Touched (cycle): NCN 4
London Coal Duty Posts: 91, 92, 93
Cafe / pub on route: Several in Weybridge Town Centre, The Old Crown and The Minnow (2.2 km in), D'Oyly's (2.7 km in)
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Weybridge, Wey Navigation, River Wey, River Wey and Godalming Navigations (National Trust), D'Oyly Carte Island, Desborough Island, Desborough Cut,

This is the first of a series of short circular walks along the River Wey and the Wey Navigation canal in Surrey. 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.

This walk starts at the Churchfields Car Park in Weybridge town centre. Walk along Church Street in a south-westerly direction then take a right onto Bridge Street. Soon you’ll cross the old Wey Bridge which the town took its name from. The bridge crosses over both the River Wey and the Wey Navigation. Once over the bridge take a right to step down to the Wey Navigation footpath to follow it in a northerly direction towards the confluence with the River Thames. You’ll pass a lot of large, expensive houses on the route. At 1.6 km into the walk you’ll reach Thames Lock, the final lock on the Wey Navigation. Cross over to the right hand side of the lock and follow the path that crosses over the River Wey onto Church Walk. Take a left onto Church Walk, cross over Jessamy Road and follow the path to Thames Street. Take a left onto Thames Street, heading north and pass the Old Crown and The Minnow pubs. Take a left into the small car park next to the Rowing Club to join the path by the River Thames.

Follow the path by the Thames in a north-easterly direction. Soon you'll pass the small ferry where you’ll pick up the Thames Path National Trail. Next you’ll pass D’Oyly Carte Island where there a good, and often busy, cafe. Just after D’Oyly Carte Island, you’ll reach the Desborough Cut, an artificial channel, completed in the 1930s, that bypasses a meandering stretch of the Thames near Shepperton. The Thames Path National Trail follows the Cut, but for this walk we crossed over the Walton Lane bridge to follow the path along the northern side of Desborough Island to stay close to the original course of The Thames.

At the eastern end of Desborough Island cross over the bridge and walk down the steps to rejoin the Thames Path. After 100m, cross over Walton Lane to pick up Broad Water Walk, a path that follows the southern edge of the Engine River and Broad Water lake. Follow this path in a westerly direction until you reach Grenside Road. Take a left to follow Grenside Road south, onto Thames Street, then High Street where you’re back at the start of the walk at Weybridge town centre.

Back to River Wey Index
Richard gowerTrek, Canal, Coal Duty Post, Thames, National Trust, National Trails, Surrey, England, Surrey HillsComment
Cycling The Basingstoke Canal

Where the Basingstoke Canal meets the Wey Navigation at New Haw

Start: Greywell Tunnel, 134 Hook Road, Greywell, Hook, RG29 1BY
Finish: Thames Towpath parking, 91 Thames St, Weybridge, KT13 8LR
Distance: 55.6 km (34.5 miles)
Elevation change: +246m / -318m. Net -72m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Three Castles Path, Blackwater Valley Path, River Wey Navigation Path, Locks and Levels,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 221, 223, 4,
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Fox and Goose at the start. Several just off-route but we stopped in Fleet (16 km in) and Woking (43.5 km in) and The Old Crown near the end.
Maps:
- Basingstoke, Alton & Whitchurch Map | Odiham, Overton & Hook | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 144
- Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
- Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell Map | Thames Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 160
Links: Basingstoke Canal, Greywell, Greywell Tunnel, Odiham Castle, Fleet, Woking, Aldershot, Mytchett, River Wey Navigation, River Wey

The Basingstoke Canal is a navigable waterway that runs through Hampshire and Surrey. Originally built in the late 18th century to transport goods between Basingstoke and the Thames, the canal fell into disuse in the mid-20th century. The first 10 km from Basingstoke to the Greywell Tunnel is either completely lost or unnavigable. Most of the eastern side of the canal after is navigable albeit the first couple of km only suitable for canoes and paddleboards.

We completed the full length of the canal in 2 sections. The first section was a walk of the “lost” part from Basingstoke to Greywell and the section section a tow-path cycle ride from Greywell to the Thames. See my previous post for the first section and read on for part 2.

The first point of interest is only 1 km into the ride. On the left hand side of the path you’ll find the ruins of Odiham Castle, build in the early 1200s for King John. I had already visited it on a Three Castles Path walk a few years ago but it had a bit of restoration work since then.

Our trip was on a misty late-summer Sunday morning which made for a very pleasant quiet ride along the misty canal. Cycling in this direction shows the gradual increase of its use from overgrown and empty at Greywell to an active use at Woking. The canal takes it’s time to get to the Thames, meandering around the contours on a consistent level at the start before a much straighter and steeper descent at the end.

Navigation is super-simple (just stick to the tow-path) and there’s lots of options just off the path for food stops. We stopped at Fleet and Woking, both big towns, although there’s other choices if you keep an eye on the map.

The Basingstoke Canal ends at Woodham Junction near Byfleet and New Haw railway station. Here the canal joins the Wey Navigation and its where the Waterloo to Basingstoke railway line crosses under the M25. This is an obvious place to stop if you just want to complete the Basingstoke Canal and you also have the option here to return to Basingstoke by train.

We weren’t done yet though as we wanted to reach the Thames. We crossed the small bridge over the Wey Navigation and took a left to follow the towpath on the eastern side toward Weybridge. The Wey Navigation meets the River Wey 4km north of Woodham Junction. Keep to the towpath on the western edge of the Wey Navigation to the end point at the confluence of the Wey and the Thames.

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Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Canal, Thames, National Trust, Hampshire, Surrey, EnglandComment
Walking The Limehouse Cut and Hertford Union Canal

House Mill

Start: Canary Wharf Station, Canada Square, London, E14 5AB
Finish: Bethnal Green Underground Station, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 0ET
Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles)
Elevation change: + 58m / -53m. Net -5m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Greenwich Meridian Trail, Lee Valley Walk, Jubilee Greenway, Capital Ring, London to Walsingham Camino, Regents Canal Towpath
Other routes touched (cycle): Prime Meridian Cycle Route, NCN 1, 13, C2
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several at the Start and End at Canary Wharf and Bethnal Green. Also the Cafe at House Mill (5.1 km in) and several at the junction of the Lee Navigation and Hertford Canal (7.3 km in)
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Canary Wharf, Limehouse Basin, Limehouse Cut, Bow Locks, Lee Navigation, House Mill, Hertford Union Canal, Regent’s Canal, Bethnal Green

This is a short, flat and interesting canal-side walk in the east of London. For us it was an epilog to the Regent’s Canal walk that we completed the previous year as it takes in 2 short canals that both intersect with the eastern end of the Regent’s. We started the walk from Canary Wharf Elizabeth Line Station but if you want to shorten it by 2 km you could also start from Limehouse DLR Station.

From Canary Wharf walk in a westerly direction across Cabot Square and Westferry Circus to the north bank of the river Thames. Take a right and follow the Thames Path to Limehouse Basin. Take a right into the basin, keeping to the eastern edge of the marina until you get to the Limehouse Cut.

The Limehouse Cut was constructed in the early 19th century to relieve congestion on the River Thames and provide a more direct route for barges carrying goods to and from the city. The Cut is just over 2km and, initially straight then turns in a curve to Bow Locks, where the Lee Navigation meets Bow Creek. On this walk you’ll follow the path between the Lee Navigation and Bow Creek to reach House Mill at the entrance Three Mills Island. The House Mill is the largest tidal mill standing in Britain and and has a small exhibition and cafe if you’re ready for a rest at this half-way point in the walk.

After House Mill cross over to the western side of the Lee Navigation and continue north along the towpath. You’ll pass through some derelict post-industrial land in various stages of redevelopment before reaching the Olympic Park. Here you’ll find several canal-side options for food, all of which were too busy when we arrived on a Saturday afternoon.

Cross over to the western side of the canal at White Post Lane, take left then a right onto the Hertford Union Canal. The Hertford Union was built to transport goods between Hertford and London, connecting the Lee Navigation to the Regent’s Canal. It’s just over a mile long an passes between Victoria Park on the northern side and housing on the south.

When you reach the Regent’s Canal, take a left and walk south for 200m then cross over the Roman Road Bridge. Follow Roman Road for 1km to the end of the walk at Bethnal Green Underground Station.

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Richard gowerTrek, Canal, Railway, Thames, London, EnglandComment
RideLondon 2024

Brian and I, somewhere in Essex. Photo by Sportograf

RideLondon had been on my back-burner for years. It began life in 2013 as Prudential RideLondon, following the route of the 2012 Olympics road race from London to the Surrey Hills and back. In the early years it was so popular that there was a ballot for places. I didn't get in for a years, then missed a few as it coincided with our summer holiday dates, then I kind of forgot about it.

The route changed completely in 2022 when it moved from Surrey to Essex. There was also no ballot and the date changed to late May. After my friend Brian did it in 2023 it soon came back to the top of my list.

It had been a long time since I'd done an organised cycling event, preferring self-organised bike-packing adventures instead. I didn't doubt that I could do the distance but I was concerned about what bike I would take. A light road bike is the obvious choice but I had one stolen a few years back. My only other one is very old and permanently lives on my turbo-trainer for Zwifting. Rather than go through the faff of renting a bike I decided to go on my mountain bike. It's really heavy and definitely not intended for 100 miles of road, but I love riding it. I decided that the extra effort was worth the time and cost saved from other options.

The event day was awesome. It was expertly organised with 25,000 cyclists getting though 103 miles of closed roads. The route follows a diverse mix of Central London to Canary Wharf, the East End through Newham and a long stretch of the A12 dual carriageway before the more pleasant North-London suburbs and quiet Essex countryside.

Brian and I kept together for the first 70 miles then I slipped back a bit and stopped for a few minutes to pick up some more water. Brian would have waited but his RideLondon app showed me as being ahead of him so he powered on.

Brian arrived at the Tower Bridge finish line 20 minutes head of me. After the official timings had filtered out the welfare stop, our finish times were only 9 minutes apart. Given the heaviness of the bike I had I was very pleased.

Completing RideLondon takes me to 2 out of the 3 events that I need for the London Classics Medal. I already had the London Marathon in the bag so it's just the 2 mile Serpentine Swim to complete. I just need to learn how to swim now ....

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Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Thames, London, EssexComment
Chiltern Walks: Marlow and Harleyford

Pullingshill Wood

Start & Finish: Entrance to Higginson Park off High Street, Marlow, SL7 2AB
Distance: 10.2 km (6.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 94m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Pullingshill Wood to The Thames Path at Marlow: 3.4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Shakespeare’s Way, Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe in Higginson Park at start and finish. Harleyford Golf Club bar (4km in). Many in Marlow High Street.
Map: Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenshead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Marlow, Harleyford, Harleyford Estate, Pullingshill Wood & Marlow Common

The Shakespeare’s Way is a 235 km / 146 mile mile long-distance path connecting Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon with the Shakespeare's Globe (Theatre), Southwark, London. A 34km section of the path cuts through the Chiltern Hills National Landscape in a south-easterly direction. Our walks take in short sections of the Shakespeare’s Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Shakespeare’s Way is reasonably well marked however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

For this walk we parked at Pound Lane car park at the northern end of Higginson Park. From here follow the Thames Path in a south-westerly direction for just over 2km. Take a right onto Harleyford Lane and follow it for 1km to to a T junction. Take a left and follow the footpath in a westerly direction through the Harleyford Estate. Approximately 600m past the Golf Course Club House you’ll reach a path junction in the woods. Take a right here and follow the path to the A4155 Henley Road. Cross over the A4155 and take a right onto Thames Reach. This will curve round to the north through RAF housing.

Continue along Thames Reach then North Close and into the footpath into Hog and Hollowhill Nature Reserve. Continue in a northerly direction into Pullingshill Woods. Look out for the information board detailing the woods’ history as a WW1 trench training. Shortly after the information board you’ll reach the junction with the Chiltern Way/Shakespeare’s Way.

Take a right onto Chiltern Way/Shakespeare’s Way and follow the path in a south-easterly direction. After ~300 the Chiltern Way and Shakespeare’s Way split. Leave the Chiltern Way and keep on the Shakespeare’s Way continuing in a south-easterly direction. When you reach the A4155 Henley Road, cross over and follow Pound Lane all the way back to the Pound Lane car park at Higginson Park.

Shakespeare’s Way previous section (west): Bovingdon Green and Shillingridge Wood
Shakespeare’s Way next section (east): Marlow Donkey

Back to Chiltern Walks Index
Richard gowerTrek, Thames, National Trails, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Cycling The Thames Estuary: Thames Barrier to Margate

The Thames Barrier, London

This was a trip that had been at the back of my mind for 30 years. Back in the summer of 1994 I cycled the length of the Thames from the source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier near Woolwich, London. The last day was a long one and we ended up at the Barrier after dark. At the time we had considered the adventure to be complete. A few years later I started to plan a second part: from the Barrier east along the Thames Estuary to Margate.

Over the intervening years I got more excited about other trips. I also either lost contact with a few of the old Thames Path gang or they got preoccupied with having babies. Early in 2024 the stars aligned and the Estuary adventure popped up to the top of my cycling backlog.

The route to Margate mostly follows NCN Route 1 with a bit of the Route 15 Viking Way at the end. It also runs parallel to the main rail line between London and Margate making trip logistics fairly simple. We did it over a weekend, staying both the Friday and Saturday night at the Chatham/Gillingham Victory Pier Premier Inn.

Day 1: Thames Barrier to Chatham

Start: Charlton Railway Station, London, SE7 7QG, United Kingdom
Finish: Premier Inn Chatham/Gillingham (Victory Pier) hotel, Blake Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 1GB, United Kingdom
Distance: 62.8 km (39 miles)
Elevation change: + 408m / -409m (Net +1m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Capital Ring, Jubilee Greenway, Green Chain Walk, London Loop. Cray River Way, Hoo Peninsula Path, Weald Way, Thames and Medway Canal Towpath, Saxon Shore Way, England Coast Path, Strood Community Trail,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 125, 179, Q14
Pubs / Cafes on route: At Woolwich Arsenal (4km in), Erith (15km in), Dartford (25km in), Gravesend (39 km in), Rochester (57km in), Chatham (59km in)
Maps:
- Greenwich & Gravesend Map | East End, Docklands, Bromley, Sidcup & Thurrock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 162
- Gravesend & Rochester Map | Hoo Peninsula | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 163
Links: Charlton, Thames Barrier, Woolwich Arsenal, Erith, Dartford, Gravesend, Thames and Medway Canal, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham

 

Like all Saturdays the day started with a parkrun, this time at Great Lines Heritage park, just over a mile from from the hotel. From there we headed to Chatham Station to get the train to Charlton. The Thames Barrier is a 1.4km ride from Charlton Station.

Navigation is straightforward, keeping to the NCN Route 1 all the way to Chatham. The first 20km hugs the riverside passing a mix of pleasant gentrified areas like Woolwich Arsenal and ugly industrial parts. After Erith the Route 1 cuts south away from the river to Dartford avoiding the entrance to the Queen Elizabeth Bridge. We had planned a coffee and cake stop in Dartford but nothing inspired us so we carried on. By the time we reached Gravesend we were really hungry and, as pubs were open by then, were optimistic about finding food. We found Gravesend equally inspiring so didn’t stop there either.

After Gravesend the scenery becomes much more pleasant. With the Route 1 following the disused Thames and Medway Canal. Watch out for the obelisk that marks the half-way point between the cities of London and Rochester. The Route 1 leaves the canal at Lower Higham which, conveniently for us, also has a train station. Brian was having problems with his wheel after several punctures and we’d run out of options to fix it at the road-side. Here we decided that Brian would head to Chatham by train and I would finish the first day on my own.

As it turned out Brian missed one of the best parts of the first day. The final section included quiet countryside and a descent down to Rochester. Had we kept together we would have stopped in Rochester for food ahead of the final few miles. I decided that I was on a mission to beat Brian’s train journey back to Chatham so I wasn’t hanging around. A 20 minute wait for the train meant that I was back at the hotel before Brian arrived at Halfords in Chatham. With a newly fixed wheel and fresh supplies of inner-tubes we were now ready for Day 2.

Day 2: Chatham to Margate

Start: Premier Inn Chatham/Gillingham (Victory Pier) hotel, Blake Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 1GB, United Kingdom
Finish: Margate Lighthouse, Harbour Arm, Margate, CT9 1AP
Distance: 87 km (54 miles)
Elevation change: + 514m / -513m (Net -1m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Saxon Shore Way, England Coast Path, Swale Heritage Trail, Invicta Way, Wantsum Walk,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 174, 15: Viking Coastal Trail
Pubs / Cafes on route: At Sittingbourne (22km in), Faversham (40km in), Whitstable (59km in), Herne Bay (66km in), Westgate-on-Sea (83km in) and Margate.
- We stopped at Cafe Guild in Faverham (40 km in) and The Ship Inn, Herne Bay (66km in)
Maps:
- Gravesend & Rochester Map | Hoo Peninsula | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 163
- Sittingbourne & Faversham Map | Isle of Sheppey | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 149
- Canterbury & Isle of Thanet Map | Herne Bay, Deal & Whitstable | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 150
Links: Sittingbourne, Faversham, Crab & Winkle Way, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Reculver, Westgate-on-Sea, Margate, Margate Lighthouse

 

Shortly after leaving the Chatham/Gillingham area, the Route 1 passes through Riverside Country Park. It was very popular with dog walkers early that Sunday morning so it was a good chance to take it slow as we warmed up for the day. After the Country Park the route cuts away from the estuary from Rainham to Sittingbourne.

Sittingbourne was our original plan for a breakfast stop but we were similarly uninspired by food options as we were on day 1. By the time we arrived in Faversham with 40km down we were starving. It was worth the wait though as Faversham is a very nice old Kent market town with several good cafes.

After Faversham the route heads back towards the coast then takes a detour up the steepest hill of the route to bypass Whitstable Town Centre. After a well-earned descent we reached the Crab & Winkle Way, a disused railway that once connected Whitstable to Canterbury. This was the point where we left the NCN 1, which follows the old railway line to the south. Instead we followed the Crab & Winkle Way north to join the Route 15 Viking Way at the Whistable coast.

The last 28km along the Viking Way from Whitstable to Margate was my favourite section of the whole route. This section keeps to the coast along flat boulevards passing seaside towns and the remains of Reculver Towers. We had made good time so we stopped for a while at a pub in Herne Bay to gaze across the estuary and contemplate future adventures.

Our 2-day adventure finished at Margate Lighthouse, an obvious place to mark the end of the Estuary adventure. We really enjoyed the trip and, baring the wheel & puncture issues at the end of day one, found it pretty easy going. I still didn’t get the sense of completion though. Yes, we had cycled the estuary to complete the Thames Path, but we had now left the southern section of the NCN Route 1 uncompleted. Within a couple of days I was already planning the next 2 day adventure to complete both the NCN Route 1 from Whitstable to Dover and the rest of the Viking Way.

 

The Full 2-Day Route

The Millennium Mileposts

Dotting the UK's National Cycle Network are over 1,000 unique markers known as the Millennium Mileposts. Unveiled in 2000, these cast-iron sculptures are more than just waymarkers. Designed by four artists, one from each nation of the UK, they celebrate the diversity of the cycling routes. These artistic mileposts come in various shapes and can be found in both bustling towns and scenic landscapes, adding a touch of artistic charm to a cycling adventure. Here’s the 14 Mileposts that I spotted on the 2 day estuary adventure.

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Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Coast, Canal, Railway, Disused Railway, Thames, London, Kent, National Trails, England Comments
Chiltern Walks: Bourne End, Cookham and Wooburn

River Thames at Cookham

Start & Finish: Wakeman Road Car Park, 2A Wakeman Road, Bourne End, SL8 5SX
Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 83m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Bourne End Rail Bridge to Broad Lane, Widmoor: 3.9 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Shakespeare’s Way, Beeches Way, Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop, High Wycombe to Bourne End Disused Railway
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Bourne End and Cookham village centres. Also The Ferry (2.4 km in), The Garibaldi (3.7 km in), Chequers Inn (5.3 km in),
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Bourne End, Cookham, Wooburn

The Shakespeare’s Way is a 235 km / 146 mile mile long-distance path connecting Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon with the Shakespeare's Globe (Theatre), Southwark, London. A 34km section of the path cuts through the Chiltern Hills National Landscape in a south-easterly direction. Our walks take in short sections of the Shakespeare’s Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Shakespeare’s Way is reasonably well marked however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

For this walk we parked at Wakeman Road Car Park in Bourne End and walked to the River Thames via the footpath to the left of the station. At the Thames cross over the railway bridge and, at the bottom of the steps, take a right to follow the Thames Path in a southerly direction.

Leave the Thames Path at Cookham Bridge and cross over to the north side of the Thames to follow Ferry Lane north. Here you have 2 choices: to follow The Beeches Way by taking the first path on the right after the bridge or to take an alternative route via Hedsor Road. Both options come together around the 5km mark at the top of Harvest Hill. We had already done the Beeches Way option so we took the alternative described below.

Continue north along Ferry Lane the take a right onto Hedsor Road, following it for ~500m to take a left onto Heavens Lea. Cross over Hedsor Hill (road) to follow Harvest Hill (road) in a north-easterly direction to Kiln Lane. Take a left onto Kiln Lane then a right onto a footpath just before the Chequers pub. Follow this footpath all the way down to Wooburn Park then cross over the River Wye and Town Lane.

Take the path to the left of Spake Oak depot to reach the disused Wycombe to Bourne End Railway Line. Follow this in a south-westerly direction to the end at the A4155 Cores End Road. Follow this back to the car park in Bourne End.

Shakespeare’s Way previous section (west): Marlow Donkey
Shakespeare’s Way next section (east): Beeches Way

Back to Chiltern Walks Index
Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Thames, National Trails, Railway, Disused Railway, EnglandComment
Windsor Home Park Circular Walk

Approaching Windsor Castle on the Long Walk

Start & Finish: Windsor & Eton Bridge, Thames Street, Windsor SL4 1PX
Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 42 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: Coffee Shop at Windsor Farm Shop (5.4 km in), many in Windsor Town Centre
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Windsor, Windsor Home Park, Datchet, The Long Walk

This is part of a series of short circular walks containing the Thames Path National Trail. This one connects the 4th section of the Thames Path and Jubilee River series with the Runnymede and Old Windsor Circular. It’s also a great circuit of the perimeter of Windsor Castle and Home Park.

The walk starts at Windsor and Eton Bridge near Windsor Town Centre and follows the Thames Path in a north-easterly direction on the south side of the river. The first 1.3 km follows a path between the river and the railway line to Staines, passing Romney Lock. After the bridge that takes the rail line across the river the path follows the edge of the public part of Home Park. Continue following the river until Victoria Bridge. This is as far as you can go on the south side as Home Park becomes the private gardens of Windsor Castle the on other side of Victoria Bridge.

Cross over Victoria Bridge and take the path on the right to follow the Thames on the northern side. Here you’ll be able to see into the private areas of Home Park on the opposite side. The Thames Path joins the B470 after Datchet Golf Club and follows it for 130 metres, before briefly returning to the banks of the Thames for a short section to Albert Bridge. Cross Over Albert Bridge and follow the B3021 until the Old Windsor Roundabout. The Windsor Farm Shop is a good place to stop for a rest at this point.

At the Old Windsor Roundabout take a right and follow the A308 for 130 metres until you reach the Long Walk. Take a right onto the Long Walk to follow it all the way to the end at the castle. Here you’ll get great views of the castle ahead of you, the rest of the long walk behind you and the Frogmore Estate to the right.

At the end of the Long Walk, take a left onto Park Street, and continue onto High Street and Thames Street all the way back to the start at the Thames.

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Richard gowerTrek, Thames, Windsor, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Chiltern Walks: Hambleden and Medmenham

River Thames between Mill End and Medmenham

Start & Finish: Car park next to the Stag and Huntsman, Hambleden, Henley-on-Thames RG9 6RP
Distance: 9.1 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 85m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Stag and Huntsman at the start and finish,
Map: OS Explorer 171: Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Hambleden, Medmenham

This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Chilterns. 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.

For this walk we parked in the private car park behind the Stag and Huntsman. Although there’s free on-street parking in the village, it gets very busy and takes away from the old-fashioned feel of the village. The car-park, at time of writing, can be paid only by phone via an app or text.

From the car-park walk through the village past the church and the village stores to the small bridge over the Hambleden Brook. Immediately after the bridge take a footpath on the left that crosses fields and follows the Hambleden Brook in a southerly direction. The path ends 1.3 km from the car-park at a small road leading to Rotten Row. Take a right onto this road then a left onto Skirmett Road. Continue along the pavement on Skirmett Road until it ends at the A4155.

Take a left onto the A4155 and follow it for 100m. Cross over the road and into a small parking area to the left of the last house on the south side of the A4155. Walk through the car park then take a left onto a path that leads to Ferry Lane. Continue along Ferry Lane to the end where there’s a footpath junction. Take a right to follow the path along the side of the field towards the river. Follow the path next to the river for 2.2 km until you reach the small bridge over a stream at (a different) Ferry Lane.

Here’s you’ll find an elaborate monument to a legal case regarding the ferry that used to cross the river here. The inscription says “This monument was erected to commemorate the successful action fought by Hudson Ewbank Kearley First Viscount Devonport which resulted in the Court of Appeal deciding on the 28th of March 1899 that Medmenham Ferry is public”.

Take a left onto Ferry Lane, following it for 300m until you reach a footpath on the left opposite the last house on the right. Follow this footpath until you meet the access road to the large estate to the left of the footpath. The access road is private but there’s a footpath that runs parallel to it on it’s western edge. Follow this path in a northerly direction until a path juction near a stream. Cross over the stream and continue along the path in a north-westerly direction to meet the A4155.

Cross over the A4155 to take the first footpath on the right. This leads steeply up a hill into woodland that’s part of the Hambleden Estate. Keep to the right at the first footpath junction on the hill to takes the path that leads to the small road to Rotten Row. Cross over and continue along the footpath until you’re back at Hanbleden.

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Richard gowerTrek, Thames, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, England Comment
Walking the City of London Boundary
View of the Thames from the southern border of The City at the City/Tower Hamlets/Southwark Tri-point

View of the Thames from the southern border of The City at the City/Tower Hamlets/Southwark Tri-point

The City of London is a unique place in the UK’s geography and governance. It’s part of Greater London but not one of the 32 London Boroughs. It’s inside a city but is a city itself. It’s a Ceremonial County and was within the boundaries of the Historic County of Middlesex but was self-governing.

The City is nicknamed the Square Mile as its internal area is 1.12 m² (2.9 km² ). The boundary is less that 11 km with negligible elevation change which makes it a very manageable walk of approximately 3 hours. As as walk it’s also fascinating as you’ll pass the 14 dragons that guard the boundary, 7 tri-points with the London Boroughs and the highest point of the City of London.

The dragons are cast iron statues the guard the main road entrances to the City of London. They were designed and installed in the 1960s. For a more detailed history of the dragons, see the post on IanVisits.

The page below describes the walk that we did in October 2022. Directions start at the Victoria Embankment Dragon, close to Temple Station, but there’s several other good starting points close to tube or rail stations. Let me know if you spot an error or have an interesting fact about the boundary to share. I’ll donate £1 to one of my causes for each update to the page.

Start & Finish: At the Embankment Dragons, Victoria Embankment, Temple, London, WC2R 2PN
Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 89m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Jubilee Walkway, Jack The Ripper Walk, Jubilee Greenway
Other routes touched (cycle): CS 3,7, C2,6
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: City of London, Dragon Boundary Mark

Route of the boundary walk showing locations of the Dragons (liliac icon), Tri-points (brown icon) and high point (red icon)

The City / Borough Tri-Points

Our boundary walk was partly inspired by David Natzler’s project to visit the Borough Tri-Points of Greater London. David’s project, documented in this blog post, visits 32 points where three London Borough’s connect. The City of London isn’t a borough so the 7 Tri-Points of the City with 2 boroughs was out of scope for that project. Given that all 7 of these are on the City of London boundary I wanted to find them all.

David had the great idea of using an oak sprig in photos of each Tri-Point. I wanted to do something slightly different and used a fridge magnet of a London postbox to show the Tri-Point location. Scroll down to see details and the photo of each Tri-Point at the relevant part of the walk.

Dragons 1 & 2: Embankment

Type: Twins, either side of Victoria Embankment, mounted on stone pedestals.
Distance into walk: 0 km
Address: Victoria Embankment, Temple, London, WC2R 2PN.
Nearest Station: Temple (Circle, District)
Coordinates: 51°30'40.0"N 0°06'41.5"W
Links: Victoria Embankment, Inner Temple Gardens

Dragon 3: Temple Bar

Type: Large single dragon on top of a memorial obelisk.
Distance into walk: 0.4 km
Address: The Strand, Temple, London, EC4A 2LT
Nearest Stations: Temple (Circle, District) or City Thameslink
Coordinates: 51°30'49.4"N 0°06'42.9"W
Directions from previous point: Right onto Temple Place, up the Milford Lane steps, along Essex Street, right onto The Strand. Note that the boundary runs through the buildings east of Essex Street. Essex Street itself is actually in the City of Westminster.
Links: Temple Bar, Temple Bar Memorial, Royal Courts of Justice

City of London High Point

Distance into walk: 1 km
Address: Junction of Chancery Lane and High Holborn.
Nearest Station: Chancery Lane (Central)
Coordinates: 51°31'05.3"N 0°06'49.5"W
Directions from previous point: Left onto Chancery Lane, continue to the junction with High Holborn.
See this related post for more details and photos of the City of London High Point

Dragons 4 & 5: High Holborn

Type: Twin dragons on stone plinths either side of the road.
Distance into walk: 1.2 km
Address: Either side of High Holborn near exit to Chancery Lane Underground. Staple Inn 5, London, WC1V 7QH.
Nearest Station: Chancery Lane (Central)
Coordinates: 51°31'05.1"N 0°06'40.7"W
Directions from previous point: Turn right out of Chancery Lane onto High Holborn, continue east.
Links: Chancery Lane, High Holborn

This one is often referred to as the Chancery Lane Dragon, however High Holborn is a more accurate name for its location.

Tri-Point: City of London / Westminster / Camden

Distance into walk: 1.3 km
Address: Between the two carriageways of High Holborn at the corner of High Holborn and Furnival Street, WC1V 7QU.
Nearest Station: Chancery Lane (Central)
Coordinates: 51°31'05.0"N 0°06'37.6"W
Directions from previous point: Continue east along High Holborn.
Links: City of Westminster, Camden

Dragon 6: Farringdon

Type: Single dragon on a pedestal.
Distance into walk: 1.7 km
Address: South side of junction of Charterhouse Street and Farringdon Street, EC4A 4LL.
Nearest Station: Farringdon (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Elizabeth Line, Thameslink)
Coordinates: 51°31'06.6"N 0°06'19.1"W
Directions from previous point: Turn left onto Charterhouse Street at Junction of High Holborn/Hatton Garden/Charterhouse/New Fetter Lane.
Links: Farringdon, Smithfield, Smithfield Market

Look out for the 2 “bonus” dragons either side of the arch at the entrance to Smithfield Market on Charterhouse Street.

Tri-Point: City of London / Camden / Islington

Distance into walk: 1.7 km
Address: South side of junction of Charterhouse Street and Farringdon Street, EC4A 4LL.
Nearest Station: Farringdon (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Elizabeth Line, Thameslink)
Coordinates: 51°31'06.6"N 0°06'19.1"W
Directions from previous point: N/A - at Farringdon Dragon.
Links: Camden, Islington

Dragon 7: Barbican

Type: Single dragon on a pedestal.
Distance into walk: 2.5 km
Address: Junction of A1 Goswell Road and Baltic Street West. 38 Goswell Road, Golden Lane Estate, London, EC1M 7AA.
Nearest Station: Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan)
Coordinates: 51°31'06.6"N 0°06'19.1"W
Directions from previous point: Continue along Charterhouse Street until end, turn left onto A1 Goswell Road, continue north.
Links: Barbican, Barbican Estate, Golden Lane Estate

Dragon 8: Moorgate

Type: Single dragon on a pedestal.
Distance into walk: 3.6 km
Address: South-east side of junction of Ropemaker Street/A501 Moorgate/South Place, EC2M 2RB.
Nearest Station: Moorgate (National Rail)
Coordinates: 51°31'08.5"N 0°05'15.9"W
Directions from previous point: Turn right into Baltic Street West, onto Baltic Street East, right onto Golden Lane, Left onto B100 Beech Street, onto B100 Chiswell Street, right onto Moor Lane, left onto Ropemaker Street.
Links: Moorgate

At the time that we visited in October 2022 the Moorgate Dragon was looking shiny and new having been recently replaced. The original had been removed to allow room for lorries accessing the construction site for Crossrail / The Elizabeth Line.

Tri-Point: City of London / Islington / Hackney

Distance into walk: 3.9 km
Address: South-East Corner of Finsbury Square / Sun Street and Wilson Street, EC2M 2PA.
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Central, Elizabeth Line, Overground, National Rail)
Coordinates: 51°31'13.2"N 0°05'06.9"W
Directions from previous point: Continue east along South Place, left onto Wilson Street, continue to junction with Sun Street.
Links: Islington, Hackney

Dragon 9: Bishopsgate

Type: Single dragon on a pedestal.
Distance into walk: 4.5 km
Address: Corner of Worship Street and A10 Norton Foldgate.
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Central, Elizabeth Line, Overground, National Rail)
Coordinates: 51°31'08.5"N 0°05'15.9"W
Directions from previous point: Turn right onto Sun Street, curve to the left onto Appold Street, right onto Worship Street.
Links: Bishopsgate

This one is often referred to as the Liverpool Street Dragon, however Bishopsgate is a more accurate name for its location.

Tri-Point: City of London / Hackney / Tower Hamlets

Distance into walk: 4.5 km
Address: East side of A10 Shoreditch High Street opposite junction with Worship Street.
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Central, Elizabeth Line, Overground, National Rail)
Coordinates: 51°31'17.4"N 0°04'42.5"W
Directions from previous point: Opposite side of A10 North Foldgate to the Liverpool Street Dragon.
Links: Hackney, Tower Hamlets

Dragon 10: Aldgate

Type: Single dragon on a pedestal.
Distance into walk: 5.5 km
Address: South-west corner of Middlesex Street and Aldgate High Street, E1 8AX.
Nearest Stations: Aldgate (Circle, Metropolitan) and Aldgate East (District, Hammersmith & City)
Coordinates: 51°31'08.5"N 0°05'15.9"W
Directions from previous point: Turn right out of Worship Street onto A10 North Foldgate, left onto Brushfield Street, right onto Fort Street, (briefly) right onto Artillery Lane, left onto Sandy’s Row, left onto Middlesex Street, left onto St Botolph Street.
Links: Aldgate

Dragon 11: Tower Hill

Type: Single dragon on a pedestal.
Distance into walk: 6.6 km
Address: South side of Byward Street/Tower Hill, at 1 Tower Hill Terrace, London, EC3N 4EE.
Nearest Station: Tower Hill (Circle, District)
Coordinates: 51°30'34.1"N 0°04'43.1"W
Directions from previous point: Cross over Aldgate High Street onto A1210 Mansell Street, right onto Shorter Street, cross over The Minories and follow the north side of Trinity Square Gardens to Tower Hill (road). Cross over to South Side of Tower Hill (road).
Links: Tower Hill, Tower of London

Tri-Point: City of London / Tower Hamlets / Southwark

Distance into walk: 6.8 km
Address: In River Thames between west end of Millennium Pier (north-side) and east end of HMS Belfast (south-side).
Nearest Station: Tower Hill (Circle, District)
Coordinates: 51°30'24.7"N 0°04'48.7"W
Directions from previous point: Turn right onto Tower Hill Terrace, continue onto Petty Wales then to the Thames Path.
Links: Tower Hamlets, Southwark

Dragon 12 and 13: London Bridge

Type: Twin dragons on stone plinths either side of southern entrance to bridge.
Distance into walk: 7.7 km
Address: On A3 London Bridge (road) at south end of #1 London Bridge (plus twin on opposite side of road), SE1 9AJ.
Nearest Station: London Bridge (Jubilee, Northern)
Coordinates: 51°30'23.6"N 0°05'16.5"W
Directions from previous point: Follow Thames Path in a westerly direction to London Bridge. Cross bridge to south side.
Links: London Bridge. Other bridges between London and Blackfriars: Southwark Bridge, Millennium Bridge.

The actual boundary of the City of London runs through the middle of the Thames between the City/Tower Hamlets/Southwark Tri-Point in the east and the City/Southwark/Lambeth Tri-Point in the west. Both London Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge are wholly within the City boundary and are overseen by the City of London Corporation (through Bridge House Estates). Two other bridges, between these: Southwark Bridge and Millennium Bridge are not part of the City of London, however the northern half of each is within the river boundary.

Dragon 14: Blackfriars Bridge

Type: Single dragon on a pedestal.
Distance into walk: 9.7 km
Address: Middle of carriageway at southern end of A2021 Blackfriars Bridge (road), SE1 9UD.
Nearest Station: Blackfriars (Circle, District, Thameslink, National Rail)
Coordinates: 51°30'30.7"N 0°06'15.8"W
Directions from previous point: Cross back over London Bridge to north side of the Thames, continue along Thames Path in a westerly direction to Blackfriars Bridge. Cross bridge to south side.
Links: Blackfriars Bridge

Tri-Point: City of London / Southwark / Lambeth

Distance into walk: 10.5 km
Address: In River Thames between Inner Temple Gardens (north-side) and west end of the Oxo Building (south-side).
Nearest Stations: Temple (Circle, District) or Blackfriars (Circle, District, Thameslink, National Rail)
Coordinates: 51°30'35.2"N 0°06'41.3"W
Directions from previous point: Cross back over Blackfriars Bridge to north side of the Thames, continue along Thames Path in a westerly direction.
Links: Southwark, Lambeth

Tri-Point: City of London / Lambeth / Westminster

Distance into walk: 10.6 km
Address: In River Thames between east end of HMS Wellington (north-side) and The London Studios (south-side).
Nearest Station: Temple (Circle, District)
Coordinates: 51°30'35.5"N 0°06'33.1"W
Directions from previous point: Continue along Thames Path in a westerly direction.
Links: Lambeth, City of Westminster

A Load of Bollards

If collecting the dragons, the tri-points and the high point isn’t geeky enough for you, there’s also the bollards. We noticed that most of the bollards have a date at the bottom and decided to see if we could get the full set. We completed 1991 through to 2000 plus 1988 and 2007.

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Richard gowerTrek, Thames, Middlesex, London, England Comments
Winter Hill and Cookham Dean Circular Walk

View to Hedsor from Winter Hill Golf Course

Start & Finish: Cookham Moor Public Car Park, 2 High Street, Cookham, SL6 9SG
Distance: 10.1 km (6.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 118m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Shakespeare’s Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): Round Berkshire Cycle Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Bounty, Bourne End, The Mole and Badger, Cookham Dean
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Cookham, Bourne End, Winter Hill, Cookham Dean, National Trust Maidenhead and Cookham Commons

This is a short circular walk mixing the flat ground of the Thames Path and a loop of nearby Winter Hill. Start at the National Trust Car Park (free to members) on Cookham Moor and walk in a northerly direction to the Thames. Take a left and follow the Thames Path in a northerly direction until the Bourne End rail bridge. Leave the Thames Path here as it crosses the bridge and keep to the south side of the Thames, now starting to curve toward the west.

After 3 km from the Car Park, the path takes a right-angle behind some riverside houses. Cross the field heading south-east to and take the path that climbs the hill heading in a south-westerly direction. Follow this path for 1.6 km until you reach Quarry Wood Road. Along the way you’ll see some great views across the river to Little Marlow and the Chiltern Hills beyond.

When you reach Quarry Wood Road take a right onto it and follow it for approx 100 metres and cross over to a footpath on the left hand side of the road. Be very careful here as there’s no pavement on this road and cars can be quite fast. Be visible and keep to the right facing oncoming traffic.

Follow the path in Quarry Wood in a south-westerly direction for 200 metres to a path junction. Take a left and follow this path for another 200 metres to the corner with Quarry Wood Road. Take a right and follow the path on the south-eastern edge of the Wood for 300 metres. Cross Over Grubwood Lane and take the path through the field, up the hill next to the llama enclosure. Continue to the woods at the top of the hill where you’ll now be on the Chiltern Way Berkshire Extension.

Once in the Woods, take a left and follow the Chiltern Way. This will take you past the Mole And Badger pub, round the Cricket Common and down to Dean Lane. Follow Dean Lane in an easterly direction to Alleyns Lane having left the Chiltern Way. Follow Alleyns Lane to Broadcuts Lane, then continue over the lane and along the path to Terry’s Lane. Continue over the next field to rejoin the Chiltern Way Berkshire Extension. Take the right hand path to follow the Chiltern Way across Winter Hill Golf Course to the bridge over the railway.

Once over the railway take a right and follow the path to Terry’s Lane. Take a path on the left and follow this to the east then south, following Stroud Water back to the National Trust Car Park.

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Richard gowerTrek, Thames, Chilterns, National Trust, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Walking The Oxfordshire Way: The Chilterns Section

Intersection of The Ridgeway and The Oxfordshire way at the north edge of The Chilterns AONB

The Oxfordshire Way is a 66 mile long-distance path connecting Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds with Henley-on-Thames. The first 18km on the southern end stretch from the Thames Path at Henley to The Ridgeway at Watlington through the Chiltern Hills AONB. Here’s how to walk the Chilterns section either as a point-to-point or in a series of 4 short circular walks. 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.

Point to Point: Henley to Watlington

Start: Henley Bridge, White Hill, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3HG
Finish: Junction of Station Road and Watlington Road, OX49 5RR
Distance: 17.8 km (11 miles)
Elevation change: + 378 / - 298m. Net -80m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Map: Chiltern Hills West Map | Henley-on-Thames & Wallingford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 171
Links: Oxfordshire Way (LDWA), See individual section posts linked below for other links.

If you’re attempting the Chilterns section as a point-to-point the first decision is how to get back to the start. I didn’t find any practical public transport solutions of less than 3 hours and multiple changes. It’s only a 20 minute drive between the two towns though so the best options are either a 2-car shuffle or to get a taxi.

This first section starts at Henley Bridge, where the Oxfordshire Way meets the Thames Path. From here, walk up Hart Street in a westerly direction and turn right onto Bell Street. Continue along Bell Street until the mini-roundabout, crossing this onto Northfield End. After 300m, and 1km into the route, take the footpath on the right, following it diagonally up the hill to a wooded area.

From here, navigation is pretty straightforward after leaving Henley. There’s a lot of footpath roundels labelled with the Oxfordshire Way and white painted arrows on trees through wooded sections. Be careful of these though as other connecting routes like the Chiltern Way use similar arrows.

For the final section you’ll descent a steep hill down from Christmas Common that joins Station Road. You’ll cross The Ridgeway and 1 km later you’ll reach the B4009 Watlington Road. There’s not much here so a sensible end is to leave the Oxfordshire Way by taking a left onto the B4009 and follow it for 800m to Watlington High Street.

Walking The Oxfordshire Way Chilterns Section in 5 Circular Routes

If you’re not up for an 18km walk in one go, you can take in the Oxfordshire way in 5 circular walks of between 8 and 11 km each. We chose this option, completing all 5 sections in winter 2021/22. The advantage of this option is exploring more of the villages and side paths to the west of the main route. As with the point-to-point option, public transport options are very limited so driving to the start points of each is more practical.

Each number refers to a circular walk below. Base map: Esri Topo via RideWithGPS

Route 1: Henley, Middle Assendon and Lambridge Wood.

  • Distance = 10.9 km (6.8 miles).

  • Elevation change: +/- 185m.

  • Oxfordshire Way Section Covered: Henley on Thames to Middle Assendon: 4.7 km

Route 2: Middle Assendon, Bix and Crocker End

  • Distance = 10.9 km (6.8 miles).

  • Elevation change: +/- 190m.

  • Oxfordshire Way Section Covered: Middle Assendon to Maidensgrove: 4.3 km

Route 3: Russell's Water, Pishill and Maidensgrove

  • Distance = 9.2 km (5.7 miles).

  • Elevation change: +/- 166m.

  • Oxfordshire Way Section Covered: Maidensgrove to (near) Hollandridge Farm: 3.7 km

Route 4: Christmas Common, Watlington Hill and Greenfield

  • Distance = 10.9km km (6.8 miles).

  • Elevation change: +/- 239m.

  • Oxfordshire Way Section Covered: Hollandridge Farm to The Ridgeway near Watlington: 4.7 km

Route 5: Watlington and The Ridgeway

  • Distance: 7.9 km (4.9 miles).

  • Elevation change: +/- 59m.

  • Oxfordshire Way Section Covered: The Ridgeway to Pyrton Lane: 1.67 km

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Thames, National Trust, Oxfordshire, EnglandComment
Walking Trails in The Colne Valley

The Colne Valley Regional park is a fascinating mix of countryside and industry to the west of London. As the name suggests, it follows the River Colne and stretches from Rickmansworth in the north to Staines in the south. Rickmansworth is where the Colne picks up the waters carried by the Chess, Gade and Ver from the central Chilterns. Exploring further down the valley you’ll find rivers, streams canals and lakes before the waters reach the Thames at Staines.

There’s a lot of industry too, with the park cut through with the M25, M4, M40, train and tube lines and, under construction, HS2. For those, like the Colne Valley Landscape Partnership who protect the park, it’s a never-ending mission. For unspoilt beauty, the nearby Chiltern Hills AONB is the place to go. For interesting walks, diverse landscapes and accessibility to London, there’s a lot to do in the Colne Valley.

Living nearby and needing to stay local during the Covid lockdowns, I spent a lot of time exploring the Colne Valley Trails. Most are medium-distance point-to-point trails that can be completed in short sections or one long summer day. Although we had the benefit of use of 2 cars for our trips, the start and end of most of the trails or sections can also be accessed by public transport.

Here’s the map of the routes with links to each below.

The Trails

  • Beeches Way. Runs for 27 km from Cookham to West Drayton. The Shakespeare’s Way follows the Beeches Way through the Colne Valley

  • Celandine Route. Runs for 19 km along the River Pinn from Pinner to the Grand Union Canal at Yiewsley

  • Chess Valley Walk. Runs for 16 km along the River Chess from Chesham to Rickmansworth.

  • Colne Valley Trail. Runs for 33 km along the River Colne from Rickmansworth to Staines. The southern parts of the trail are called the Colne Valley Way.

  • Grand Union Canal Towpath. Runs for 220 km from Birmingham to London.

  • Hillingdon Trail. Runs for 32 km from Springwell Lock on the Grand Union to Cranford Park near Heathrow.

  • London Loop. Runs for 242 km in a circle around London.

  • Slough Arm Canal. Runs for 10km from Slough to Yiewsley.

  • Thames Path. Runs for 298 km from Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Estuary, east of London.

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Richard gowerTrek, Cycle, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Canal, Thames, Berkshire, Surrey, Middlesex, London, EnglandComment
Aston and Crazies Hill Circular Walk

Thames Path at Culden Faw

Start & Finish: The Flower Pot Hotel, Aston, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3DG
Distance: 12.4 km (7.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 116m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Wokingham Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): Round Berkshire Cycle Route, NCN 4
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Aston, Culden Faw, Crazies Hill

For our final Thames Path walk of the year we returned to the Flower Pot Hotel in Aston. From the pub follow the Thames Path south for 100m along Aston Lane, then take the path on the left to cross the Culden Faw Estate. This is a big landowner in the Henley area and you’ll be on the Thames Path through the estate for 3 km. When you reach Frogmill, take a right, leaving the Thames Path and follow Black Boy Lane south to the Black Boy Pub on the A4130.

Carefully cross the A4130 and take the footpath, still on the Wokingham Way up the hill for 1.5 km. When you see an old stone sign saying “public footpath to Rose Lane”, take a right following the direction of the sign. Continue along this path, past the farm to Rose Lane. Take a left onto Rose Lane, cross over Warren Row Road at the junction and over Hatch Gate Lane at the next junction. Approximately 200 metres along Highfield Lane take the first path on the right along the edge of a horse field. You’re now on the Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop which you’ll follow through Crazies Hill, Cockpole Green, Culham, over the A4130 and back into the Culham Faw Estate. When the Chiltern Way Berkshire loop meets the Thames Path again, take a left and retrace your original steps back to the Flower Pot.

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Thames, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Weybridge 10k

When: March 27th 2021
Where: Walton Bridge Car Park, Walton Lane, Shepperton, Walton-on-Thames, TW17 8LY
Course: Start and finish by Walton Bridge. Short out and back along the river then a big clockwise loop along Oatlands Drive to Weybridge and back along the river.
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Finish time: 53:29

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Richard gowerRun, 10k, Thames, Surrey, EnglandComment