Cholsey to Goring walk

Fairly gentle climbs through Oxfordshire and Berkshire countryside ending with a southerly stretch along the Thames.

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sat, 13-Jan-24 WALK CHANGE: Islip Circular REPLACED WITH CHOLSEY TO GORING 4 grey but dry
Sun, 02-Apr-23 Sunday Walk: Cholsey to Goring (original walk) 3 cloudy am sunny pm
Sat, 05-Feb-22 Saturday Walk - Gentle climbs through Oxon and Berks countryside ending with a quiet stretch along the Thames: Cholsey to Goring 9 sunny then cloudy with a cold wind
Sun, 06-Dec-20 Sunday Walk - The Return of the Rule of Six - Thames Valley and Berkshire Downs: Cholsey to Goring 6 foggy
Sat, 25-May-19 Saturday Walk - Thames Valley and Berkshire Downs: Cholsey to Goring 7 sunny hot turning humid later
Sun, 03-Jun-18 Sunday walk: Cholsey to Goring 6 warm sunny and humid
Wed, 12-Jul-17 Wednesday Wander 10 initially dark and moody clouds changing to warm sunshine by lunch
Sun, 28-Aug-16 Sunday Walk 2: Cholsey to Goring
Wed, 27-Jul-16 Midweek day walk Cholsey to Goring 6 hot sun
Wed, 24-Jun-15 Midweek Day Walk - Cholsey to Goring 9 sunny
Sun, 21-Sep-14 Cholsey to Goring 11
Sun, 31-Aug-14 Cholsey to Goring 0
Wed, 07-May-14 Cholsey to Goring
Wed, 29-May-13 Cholsey to Goring
Fri, 06-Apr-12 Cholsey to Goring
Sun, 15-May-11 Cholsey to Goring
Sun, 31-May-09 Cholsey to Goring
Sat, 16-Aug-08 Cholsey to Goring
Wed, 07-May-08 Cholsey to Goring
Wed, 01-Aug-07 Cholsey to Goring
Stargazer

WALK CHANGE DUE TO LINE CLOSURE

SWC 292: Islip Circular (in reverse)

SWC 49: Cholsey to Goring t=swc.49

Distance: 14.5 miles or 23.5 km

Difficulty: 3 out of 10

Train: Take the 10:08 AM Cholsey-bound Great Western train from London Paddington

Return trains from Goring are at 18 and 48 past the hour Buy a day return to Cholsey

Unfortunately a line closure due to a landslip has cast some doubt on the ability to get to and from Islip......so I have replaced my original walk with this lovely varied route.

This walk offers a fine combination of gentle Oxfordshire countryside, wide grassy horse training gallops, a stretch of the Ridgeway with splendid views from the Berkshire Downs, and a final saunter along the banks of the Thames. Although the walk is fairly long, it has nothing too steep or demanding. The final stretch is along the Thames so should be manageable should the light start to fade.....

The recommended lunch pub is the Red Lion in Blewbury (4 miles/6 km into the walk). Tea and afternoon refreshments can be had at the Wedge & Beetle Boathouse on the Thames.

Enjoy the walk!

  • 14-Jan-24

    A select group of 3 emerged from the train at Cholsey in grey but dry conditions and set off on route to soon find number 4 who had taken an earlier train and made an effort to see the Agatha Christie grave -- but was turned back by a flooded field... On we went over the gently undulating terrain with nice views despite the clouds. All had lunch at the quirky Red Lion before continuing onwards again with fine views from the Ridgeway and limited mud.... On the decent to the Thames we noted that one of our party had dropped out of sight and assumed a short-cut had been found....Three carried on to the Beetle & Wedge arriving just as darkness fell...We enjoyed a quick drink then set-off along the Thames in very atmospheric darkness on a slightly slithery path....so decided to don head-torches.... Definite signs of recent flooding were seen -- but the route itself was passable -- just slippery in places... Then with the bridge to Goring insight about 40 meters of the final 100 up to the main road were flooded to mid-calf with no escape! So, 3 with very wet feet rejoined the fourth at the Miller of Mansfield for a warming and drying beverage before catching the 19:48.

    This is a very enjoyable and varied walk with limited mud in winter....Although not mentioned in the walk notes -- there is a very clear and obvious shortcut to Goring along the Ridgeway that skips the Thames section....probably cutting out 2 miles or so...worth keeping in mind for winter postings.

Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
Length 22.5km 14..6 miles. Difficulty 3/10
A chance to compare this walk to the other Cholsey - Goring walk, posted recently. The two have little in common other than where they start and finish. This walk takes in sections of the Ridgeway, and the Berkshire Downs and, if you go the whole hog, visits a Thameside pub associated with Wind in the Willows and Three Men in a Boat. For me, however, the highlight is the quaint village of Blewbury with its thatched cottages and peculiar thatched walls. The walk can be shortened to about 12 miles by following the Ridgeway into Streatley (see below).
Trains
Take the 9:50 Didcot Parkway train from Paddington, and change at Reading onto a slower, stopping Didcot Parkway train (arr 10:19 platform 9, depart 10:28 plat 3). This gets you to Cholsey at 10:42.
Earlier birds can take that slower Didcot Parkway train all the way from Paddington at 9:28. This train stops at Ealing Broadway (9:37) and plenty other points west.
Return trains from Goring and Streatley are hourly at xx:00. Get a return to Cholsey.
The Elizabeth line only goes as far as Maidenhead today. Freedom passers could travel free as far as there and get a Maidenhead to Cholsey return. Paddington 9:11, Ealing Broadway 9:19. Arrive Maidenhead 9:48, change to the 10:00 Didcot PW train..
Lunch
The Red Lion, Blewbury 01235 850 403 is recommended. There is another pub in Blewbury, The Blueberry 01235 850 296 It’s on the London Road near the Pound.
Tea The Beetle and Wedge, by the Thames in Moulsford 01491 651381 open till 4. The Swan at Streatley 01491 878800 is another riverside pub, nearer the end, in Streatley.
There's more in Goring. Mr Tiger's preference, the Catherine Wheel on Station Road and the Miller of Mansfield on the High Street.
Walk Directions here
Anyone wanting a shorter ending could cut out the loop going through Moulsford and stay on the Ridgeway at the asterisk [*] in the directions (i.e. don't turn left, off it). The Ridgeway rejoins the walk route in Streatley. This option is not in the directions. You would need to follow the Ridgeway signs. This would clip about 4.53 km /2.81 miles off the walk length. t=swc.49
  • 02-Apr-23

    Two off the train and one plus dog by motorcar. 3 in cloudy am sunny pm . One lunched at the Red Lion and pronounced it fine. 1700 train back to the Great Wen.

DAC is away...
Length: 24.1 km (15.0 mi)
Ascent/Descent: 284/282m; Net Walking Time: 5 ¼ hours
Toughness: 5/10
Take the 09.57 Didcot Parkway Stopping Service from Paddington (Ealing B’way 10.05), arrives Cholsey 11.16. This train will likely show on the board as destination ‘Cholsey’.
Return trains from Goring & Streatley are on xx.18 and xx.48 (change at Reading to shave off 24 mins). Buy a Cholsey return.
“This walk offers a fine combination of gentle Oxfordshire countryside, wide grassy horse training gallops, a stretch of the Ridgeway with splendid views from the Berkshire Downs, and a final saunter along the banks of the Thames. Although the walk is fairly long, it has nothing too steep or demanding.The main walk is best undertaken from mid spring to early autumn. With a fairly late start to accommodate the early lunch stop at The Red Lion Blewbury.
The suggested tea stop is the Beetle and Wedge riverside restaurant at Moulsford, a place with ‘Wind in the Willows’ and ‘Three Men in a Boat’ associations. There are also plenty of hostelries in Streatley and Goring at the end of the walk.
Before starting the walk, devotees of Agatha Christie’s detective stories might want to make a short detour to visit the novelist’s grave in the churchyard of St Mary’s, Cholsey. To do this, follow the walk directions for the first 180 metres till you reach the railway bridge, but instead of turning left under the railway, turn right and follow the path for 700 metres as it climbs up to the church. Afterwards, retrace your steps and pass under the railway to re-join the directions.”
Lunch: The Red Lion in Blewbury (6.6 km/4.1 mi, food to 15.00), or – a little further along and to the left off the route along London Road – The Blueberry (food to 14.30).
Tea: The Beetle & Wedge Boathouse (open all day) en route plus lots of choice in Streatley and Goring-on-Thames (see the pdf for details).
For summary, map, height profile, some photos, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.49
  • 06-Feb-22

    7 walkers on the platform, with many other people getting off the train as well, one of which turned out to be a first-timer waiting for us at the station exit (all the way from Upminster). 1 other had arrived on an earlier train and was waiting outside, so 9 . All but me residents of parishes north of the river. The weather started sunny, then some clouds came in, and for most of the time there was a cold wind. Mercifully we were on the low part of the walk while walking into the wind. The group split up into subgroups quite quickly, with the faster lot (all of them picknickers) only being caught at Blewbury church. One of them later joined the 4 lunchers in the pub for a drink and then went on one of several self-designed shortcuts. We saw him again briefly on the top of the downs.

    The pub: fine. A short menu, but everything appeared to be freshly prepared and was very tasty. The views: clear and far, what with the cold wind and passing clouds. Mud: nothing really, until the Thames Path, then a short stretch with some mud, that was it. Seasonal flowers: plenty snowdrops, especially in Blewbury village, but also on some wooded fringes; a few celandines. Birds: kites everywhere, of course; many swans.

    Us lunchers lost one of thr group to walking a bit slower, and overtook one of the picknickers. In Goring, the Miller in Mansfield pub was shut, and as were walking further up the High Street, it appeared touch-and-go whether we'd make the 16.48 train. We took out that torturing uncertainty by turning right to The Catherine Wheel pub. The TV was showing some strange sporting spectacle of sorts: lots of burly men deliberately bumping into each other while carrying an oversized egg across a meadow, but we found a quiet corner for a thirst quencher.

    17.18 train for 4, 1 other on the next one. The three fast walkers on an earlier one. sunny then cloudy with a cold wind

    Group Cohesion Factor: 4/10.

Please note that on 'my' walks, punters are expected to give me their contact details for track-and-trace purposes at the start, and that walkers are expected to immediately split into groups of six or fewer and to stay in those sub-groups all day. If you find that beyond your abilities, please do not come on this walk!

Length: 24.1 km (15.0 mi)
Ascent/Descent: 250/248m; Net Walking Time: 5 ¼ hours
Toughness: 5/10
Take the 09.42 Hereford train from Paddington (change Reading: 10.10/10.26), arrives Cholsey 10.42. The train boarded at Reading is the 09.28 Stopping Service from Paddington (Ealing B’way 09.37).
Return trains from Goring & Streatley are on xx.00 (journey time 57 mins) and at 16.37 (change at Didcot). Buy a Cholsey return.
“This walk offers a fine combination of gentle Oxfordshire countryside, wide grassy horse training gallops, a stretch of the Ridgeway with splendid views from the Berkshire Downs, and a final saunter along the banks of the Thames. Although the walk is fairly long, it has nothing too steep or demanding.

The main walk is best undertaken from mid spring to early autumn. With a fairly late start to accommodate the early lunch stop at The Red Lion Blewbury. The suggested tea stop is the Beetle and Wedge riverside restaurant at Moulsford, a place with ‘Wind in the Willows’ and ‘Three Men in a Boat’ associations. There are also plenty of hostelries in Streatley and Goring at the end of the walk.

Before starting the walk, devotees of Agatha Christie’s detective stories might want to make a short detour to visit the novelist’s grave in the churchyard of St Mary’s, Cholsey. To do this, follow the walk directions for the first 180 metres till you reach the railway bridge, but instead of turning left under the railway, turn right and follow the path for 700 metres as it climbs up to the church. Afterwards, retrace your steps and pass under the railway to re-join the directions.”

Lunch: The Red Lion in Blewbury (6.6 km/4.1 mi), or – a little further along and to the left off the route along London Road – The Blueberry.
Tea: The Beetle & Wedge Boathouse en route plus lots of choice in Streatley and Goring-on-Thames (see the pdf for details).

For summary, map, height profile, some photos, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.49

  • 05-Dec-20

    Anyone travelling from Ealing Broadway should allow extra time. You have to walk to the end of platform 4 to cross to platform 3. I'm assuming it will be the same on Sunday as today.

  • 05-Dec-20

    When I have done this walk in the past I have seen brown hares as you follow the valley path through Unhill Bottom. Hopefully they will still be there when you do the walk tomorrow,

  • 06-Dec-20

    5 off the train plus 1 car driver waiting in the subway.

    Progressing at a good pace, we were in danger of getting to the lunch options in Blewbury before they even opened, but the (medium-intense) mud prevented that, and we rolled into The Red Lion at 10 past noon.

    This has been massively transformed since I'd last been, into a very slick operation with slick looks and good food. Sensationally, they had 3 adjacent tables for us on the one side of the bar, without anyone else venturing into that area, so effectively we had our very own 'function room'. Staff were great, the menu enticing and all and sundry were very happy with their choices. 90 minutes later we left, knowing that the chances of finishing in darkness had risen from 'likely' to 'certainly'...

    No need to worry much about it of course, as there is no sensible shortcut on this walk and the last half hour is along the Thames anyway with little risk of getting lost. Up onto the Downs and along the Gallops, then follow the Ridgeway, with the fog still not having lifted, so no views to speak of. Call it eerie, spooky or atmospheric: we all liked it. Needless to say there were very few others out and about (a couple picking sloes and a few dog walkers, that was about it).

    Primed by the previous comment to be eagle-eyed on the ever so beautiful descent through Unhill Bottom to check for hares, we failed to see any, unfortunately. That may have been due to the pretty annoying noise emanating from beyond the trees on the left: a sound like chainsaws on speed, or off-road motorbikes (a race along The Fair Mile?). Pretty is was nevertheless, especially what with the mist rising from the trees. We passed the Beetle and Wedge at 10 past 4 as the light started to fade.

    Having seen three donkeys on the slopes of Blewburton Hill, the only other animals worth noting were now a couple of herons on the Thames and then a ca. 150 piece strong flock/shoal/flight/group of ducks, serenely moving upstream. The Thames Path being what it is, a well-trodden highway, the lack of light didn't really matter, and it never got pitch-dark anyway, so that we reached Streatley in safety at 5 to 5, conceding that the 17.00 train was now out of reach.

    The Swan at Streatly is no more, of course, as it is now - after a multi-year re-fit - a 'Coppa Club' outfit (6 branches, incl. Tower Bridge). We did manage to wangle our way into it though, to a six-seater section by a fireplace for some warm drinks and puddings (no alc pls w/o a substantial meal). 18.00 train.

    A superior day in very good company.

    6 foggy

Despite being 11 years old in its current form, this fine walk has only ever had one Saturday outing: in its first year...

Length: 24.1 km (15.0 mi)
Ascent/Descent: 250/248m; Net Walking Time: 5 ¼ hours
Toughness: 5/10
Take the 09.57 Didcot Parkway train from Paddington (10.05 Ealing Broadway), arrives Cholsey 11.14.
Missed the train? Take the 10.15 Cheltenham Spa train, change Didcot Parkway (10.55) and travel back one stop on the 11.02 Paddington train, getting to Cholsey at 11.07 (i.e. before the group!).
Return trains from Goring & Streatley are on xx.12 and xx.42, journey time 79 mins. Shave off up to 30mins by changing at Reading onto a fast train. Buy a Cholsey return.
This walk offers a fine combination of gentle Oxfordshire countryside, wide grassy horse training gallops, a stretch of the Ridgeway with splendid views from the Berkshire Downs, and a final saunter along the banks of the Thames. Although the walk is fairly long, it has nothing too steep or demanding.
The main walk is best undertaken from mid spring to early autumn. With a fairly late start to accommodate the early lunch stop at The Red Lion Blewbury. The suggested tea stop is the Beetle and Wedge riverside restaurant at Moulsford, a place with ‘Wind in the Willows’ and ‘Three Men in a Boat’ associations. There are also plenty of hostelries in Streatley and Goring at the end of the walk.
Before starting the walk, devotees of Agatha Christie’s detective stories might want to make a short detour to visit the novelist’s grave in the churchyard of St Mary’s, Cholsey. To do this, follow the walk directions for the first 180 metres till you reach the railway bridge, but instead of turning left under the railway, turn right and follow the path for 700 metres as it climbs up to the church. Afterwards, retrace your steps and pass under the railway to re-join the directions.
Lunch: The Red Lion in Blewbury (6.6 km/4.1 mi), or – a little further along and to the left off the route along London Road – The Blueberry (food to 14.30).
Tea: The Beetle & Wedge Boathouse en route plus lots of choice in Streatley and Goring-on-Thames (see the pdf for details).
For summary, map, height profile, some photos, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here.
T=swc.49
  • 14-May-19

    This is one of the few walks in SE England where you have a good chance of seeing brown hares. Its the valley path along Unhill Bottom which is en route to what was Starveall Farm but is now some sort of holiday lodge? They are usually on the steep slopes to your right often near the tree line. You reach the valley after about 11m. The last time I did this walk in the high summer of 2016 there was also a brilliant display of poppies in the valley but the land use changes here a fair bit and its probably too early in the year

  • 26-May-19

    Weather was sunny hot turning humid later 7 got off the train and we set off. And that’s all I can tell you. The other six were never seen again. (Twilight Zone music). The Red Lion was searched – no sign. Where had they gone? To this day no-one knows. It's as if they walked off the face of the earth.

    The directions could do with at least one tweak. Where it says “head down to the right of Lower Chance Farm buildings” they should really say “head down to the right of the solitary light coloured shed”. There’s no buildings plural, there no sign of a farm and an inexperienced walker could be forgiven for thinking they had gone the wrong way. A really inexperienced walker might even trudge back up to the evergreens to check.

  • 28-May-19

    Any sign of hares Mr Tiger?

  • 28-May-19

    Didn't see no hares. Maybe they split. Split gettit? Hares.

    But tbh I didn't go that way. I stayed on the Ridgeway into Streatley.

    (Although according to noticeboards they can also be seen from the Ridgeway)

Sun, 03-Jun-18 : Sunday walk: Cholsey to Goring 6
Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
SWC walk 49 Length 22.5km 14 miles or (see below) 11.2 miles
Difficulty3/10
The Ridgeway, the Berkshire Downs and, for those doing the full walk, a Thameside hostelry associated with Wind in the Willows and Three Men in a Boat. Lunch is in the quaint village of Blewbury with its thatched cottages and peculiar thatched walls.
Trains
Take the 9:27 Newquay train from Paddington, and change at Reading onto the Didcot Parkway train (10:14 plat 15) This gets you to Cholsey at 10:32
Earlier birds can catch that same Didcot Parkway train direct from Paddington at 9:07. This stops at Ealing Broadway (9:15) and plenty of other points west.
You get to Cholsey a little early but you can dawdle by following the detour to Agatha Christie’s grave.
Return trains from Goring are at xx:00 till 21:00. Again, change at Reading for a faster trip. Get a return to Cholsey
Lunch The Red Lion, Blewbury 01235 850 403 is recommended. There is another pub in Blewbury, The Blueberry 01235 850 296 It’s on the London Road near the Pound.
Tea The full walk passes the Beetle and Wedge, by the Thames in Moulsford 01491 651381 open till 4.
The Swan at Streatley 01491 878800 is another riverside pub, nearer the end.
In Goring itself we have the John Barleycorn , the Catherine Wheel (see notes) and the Miller of Mansfield.
The Village Cafe (9, The Arcade, High St) stays open till 5, apparently.
Walk Directions available here
Anyone wanting a shorter ending could cut out the loop going through Moulsford and stay on the Ridgeway at point 7 (i.e. don't turn left), rejoining the walk route in Streatley. This option is not in the directions. You would need to follow the Ridgeway signs and/or the OS map. This would clip about 4.53 km /2.81 miles off the walk length.
T=swc.49
  • Anonymous
    01-Jun-18

    Anyone starting later and getting on at Ealing Broadway>

  • 04-Jun-18

    Three on the early slow train and three others on the delayed later fast train and Reading connection so 6 in all. A gently undulating walk and a favourite of mine- but on a hot day a bit of a grind especially along the ridgeway - but with classic wide-open vistas with the grass and other plants growing profusely. But the highlights were seeing brown hares again at Unhill Bottom and most surprisingly a stupendous carpet of poppies which your path along the valley bottom takes you through. (I'll post a photo on the walk pages.) Yellowhammers heard but not seen, (we had a bird expert) a flock of house martins near farm buildings and loads of kites and buzzards particularly along the final Thames path stretch where grass cutting was being done.

    Three of us met up at the Beetle and Wedge for refreshments. A near perfect early summers day out but a slightly lower temperature would have been nicer. Wather warm sunny and humid .

  • 04-Jun-18

    One point I forgot to add earlier is that the SWC gpx file for this walk gives a flat length of 24.13 km - 15.08m a mile longer than posted.

Wed, 12-Jul-17 : Wednesday Wander 10
Stargazer
Stargazer
SWC 49: Cholsey to Goring T=SWC.49

Distance: 14.6 miles or 23.5 km for those more metrically minded
Difficulty: 3 out of 10

Train: Take the 10:15 AM Great Western Cardiff train from London Paddington, changing at Reading (arrive 10:39 and depart 10:53) to the Oxford train to arrive at Cholsey at 11:11 AM. Alternatively, you could take the 9:57 AM Oxford train from London Paddington which stops in Cholsey. Return trains from Goring are at 17:13; 17:42; 18:12; 18:42; 19:12; 19:42; 20:12; 20:38 and 21:11. Buy a day return to Cholsey.

First, apologies for the late posting of this walk – took a bit for the crystal ball to clear and there was some agonizing over whether to post another SWT Offer outing. In the end, opted for something which offers a contrast to the SWT swimming walk on offer for Thursday – but still includes a pleasant water feature for a summer afternoon amble. This long but undemanding walk explores the gentle hills of the Berkshire Downs in Oxfordshire with a final stroll along the banks of the Thames into Goring. Agatha Christie devotees may want to make a detour at the beginning of the walk to visit her grave at St. Mary’s in Cholsey (directions included in the walk instructions). More information and the walk instructions can be found here.

The recommended lunch pub is the Red Lion Pub & Kitchen (01235 850 403) in Blewbury (4.2 miles/6.8 km into the walk). A midafternoon refreshment break could be taken at the Beetle and Wedge, a riverside hostelry in Moulsford with Wind in the Willows connections. Further post walk refreshies can be had at the very pleasant Pierreponts Café in Goring.

Enjoy the walk!
  • 13-Jul-17

    At first we were 10 ; then 8; then 6; then 3 -- sounds a bit like an Agatha Christie novel -- though no one to my knowledge paid homage in Cholsey. We set off under initially dark and moody clouds changing to warm sunshine by lunch . This walk makes for a great long mid-summer's outing with vast skies, rolling hills and fields and fine views. Lunch was superb -- even earning a commendation from the SWC's official lunch pub reviewer and drinks at Mouslford along the Thames provided just the restorative balance required for the pleasant early evening saunter along the Thames to Goring. The only snag occurring just a stone's throw from Paddington when 4 were congratulating themselves on the efficient transfer to a fast train at Reading -- the train came to a sudden and unexpected stop.....for two hours....fortunately, the café car had adequate supplies to replenish our exhausted stocks....A fun day out in good company...

  • Marion
    13-Jul-17

    Excellent lunch of Thai fish soup at the recommended pub and great service to match from the new South African manager. Also note that the Swan hotel at Streatly is still undergoing a massive refurbishment but that access is maintained by the road behind.There is still tea and cakes along the river bank. Having elected to remain on the stopping train for Ealing I was advised to detrain at West ealing where I caught 2 buses home. Glad I made the best decision for me.

Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
Cholsey to Goring
SWC walk 49
Length 22.5km 14 miles.
3/10

An Oxfordshire walk taking in stretches of the Ridgeway, the Berkshire Downs and the Thames. For me, the highlight is the quaint village of Blewbury with its thatched cottages and peculiar thatched walls. Although the walk is fairly long, it has nothing too steep or demanding.
Trains:
Get the Oxford train from Paddington at 9:48 (Ealing Broadway 9:56). Arrives Cholsey at 11:04.
For a slightly quicker journey, take the 10:00 Weston-super-Mare train from Paddington and change to the same Oxford train at Reading (arr 10:31, dep 10:45 plat 13).
Trains return from Goring at xx:42. Again, change at Reading if you wish (arr. xx:57 platform 14, dep. xx:07 platform 15). This saves you 8 minutes to Paddington.
Get a return to Cholsey.
Lunch: The Red Lion, Blewbury 01235 850 403 is recommended.
There is another Blewbury pub, recently revamped as the Blueberry 01235 850 296 on the London Road (A417) near the Pound (a small green). "Walkers dogs and children welcome"
Tea: The Beetle and Wedge, by the Thames in Moulsford 01491 651381 has associations with Wind in the Willows and Three Men in a Boat. It closes at 4 on a Sunday.
The Swan at Streatley 01491 878800 is another riverside pub, nearer the end.
The walk notes offer more suggestions in Goring.
Walk Directions: available here
Anyone wanting a shorter ending could cut out the loop going through Moulsford and stay on the Ridgeway at point 7 (i.e. don't turn left), rejoining the walk route at the bridge in Streatley. This option is not in the directions. You would need to follow the Ridgeway signs and/or the OS map. This shortens the walk by about 4.53 km /2.81 miles.

T=swc.49


  • Colin
    22-Aug-16

    I plan to go.

  • Colin
    28-Aug-16

    Forecast deteriorated, so change of plan.

  • Anonymous
    01-Sep-16

    Two of us ventured forth and did this somewhat challenging walk. We stopped for lunch at the lovely restaurant at Aston Tyrrell where we had the starter and desert . No main course.Absolutely delightful food and good company.

    We did have slight trouble with a little wind and rain up at start of the Ridgeway but it was a lovely energising walk which I thoroughly enjoyed.jfk

Mike A
Mike A

Cholsey to Goring

Fairly gentle climbs through Oxfordshire and Berkshire countryside ending with a southerly stretch along the Thames.

Book 3* Walk 49 *online only

Length : 24 km or 15 miles

Toughness : 3 out of 10

Getting there : Catch the 10:15 am Cardiff train from London Paddington (platform 4 ATTOW) to Reading changing there to catch the 10:53 (platform 12 ATTOW) to Oxford alighting at Cholsey OR ...
If travelling from Ealing Broadway ...
Catch the 10:05 am to Oxford (with no changes, and where, at Reading you'll be joined by the Paddingtonians), alight at Cholsey.

Please note that Bakerloo tube trains are not stopping at Paddington till mid-August

Meeting point : Cholsey Station at 11:11

Tickets : Buy a cheap day return to Cholsey

Brief Description

This is a request from the SWC gastro sub-committee, so those who wish to eat in the Red Lion Blewbury should have good food.
Others with a packed lunch will be able to stop in St. Michael's Churchyard in this scenic village.
Quite a long walk, but gently undulating with a total ascent of 240 Metres (or 800 feet in old money).
Literature buffs may like to note that there's an opportunity to visit Agatha Christie's grave in St. Mary's churchyard , Cholsey at the start of the walk

You may find full details if this walk here and a PDF here

Suggested Lunch stop

The Red Lion Blewbury t: 01235 850403

Suggested Tea stops

The Beetle and Wedge Boathouse, Ferry Lane, Moulsford-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, OX10 9JF t: 01491 6513

More dining/tea options may be found in the Walk's details here

Map

OS Explorer : 170

Return train times

Trains return from Goring and Streatley at the following times 15:46 | 16:12 | 16:46 | 17:13 | 17:42 | 18:12
Walkers returning to Paddington may expedite their journey by changing at Reading and catching a nice air conditioned intercity train.

  • Anonymous
    27-Jul-16

    6

    hot sun

    Exposed hot walk with little breeze to cool on a relentlessly sunny and humid day. All refreshment stops visited by most walkers.

  • Anonymous
    28-Jul-16

    sounds horrendous ?!

  • Anonymous
    28-Jul-16

    Managed to short circuit some of the really exposed part by visiting the first refreshment stop which was at aston tirrold . It turned out to be a foodie pub and proper restaurant. I had the wild mushroom soup which was served with a red nasturtium on top. Not to be missed but pricey if you have a main course.

    would say well worth it if you feel like splashing out.jfk the hostess will look after you if you ring ahead to let her know.

Mike A
Mike A

Cholsey to Goring (and Streatley)

Gentle Oxfordshire Countryside, horse training runs and Old Father Thames

Book 3* Walk 49

* Online only

Length : 22 km or 14 miles

Toughness : 3 out of 10

Getting there : Catch the 10:15 am express train from London Paddington to Reading and change to catch the 10:53 to Cholsey
Or
Catch the 9:57 train from London Paddington directly to Cholsey
Some calling stations for this service are:
  1. Ealing Broadway: Dep 10:05
  2. Slough: Dep 10:27
  3. Maidenhead Dep 10:34

Meeting point : Cholsey Station at 11:10

Brief Description

This walk offers a fine combination of gentle Oxfordshire countryside, wide grassy horse training gallops, a stretch of the Ridgeway with splendid views from the Berkshire Downs, and a final saunter along the banks of the Thames. Although the walk is fairly long, it has nothing too steep or demanding.
You may find full details here and a printable PDF here (also suitable for Kindles)

Suggested Lunch stops

The Red Lion, Blewbury

Suggested Tea stops

Maps

OS Explorer 170

Return train times

Trains return from Goring and Streatley are at the following times ...

16:46
17:16
17:42
18:12
18:42
19:12
Paddingtonians may shorten the journey by changing at Reading - please check.
  • 21-Jun-15

    It is possible to shorten this walk by staying on the Ridgeway and going straight down to Goring (at point 7 in the directions where others may be turning left passed metal gates, on the Moulsford loop.)

  • 22-Jun-15

    It is possible to lengthen this walk by staying on the Thames Path and going straight down to Pangbourne (at the end of the walk).

  • 22-Jun-15

    I would love to do this walk but have tickets to a show at 7.30- any chance of making it back ie making it shorter?

    K

  • Hilary
    23-Jun-15

    If your idea of a "tea stop" involves tea (and cake) and not beer, there is a lovely café in Goring called "Pierrepont"; I've been there a couple of times ... very good cakes, but it does close at 5pm.

  • 23-Jun-15

    The Swan in Goring, by the bridge, has a terrace on the river for drinks, food, or a rather formal Afternoon Tea malarky. Also now a cafe cum deli next door in a refurbished out-building with one or two much fought over tables on a small balcony over the river. The Beetle and Wedge will not be open when we pass.

  • 25-Jun-15

    9 sunny

    nine walkers arrived in dribs and drabs due to signalling problems at Ealing B'way leading to cancellations and delays on FGW all day long. bus chaos outside P'ton didn't (the Fire Brigade was attending to the Aberdeen Steak House on Praed Street).

    6 on the delayed posted train, 3 others on the even more delayed next train. briefly united at lunch. then 2 of the first group waited half-way through the afternoon for the 3 backmarkers to form a wining and dining group:

    having surprisingly being served tea at The Beetle & Wedge on their Thames-side pontoon (on the last 2 outings this was shut in the afternoon), we then also had drinks and dinner at The Swan in Streatley (not cheap) and then another drink at one of the Goring pubs (one of the ones on Station Road, name escapes me).

    22.19 train (or some such). directions, while many years old, stood up well.

    very pleasant walk, very pleasant company.

    not sure there was a net-loss of calories on the day, though...

  • 25-Jun-15

    ...didn't help...