Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk
Bulstrode Park and Burnham Beeches woods, the Thames, and Stanley Spencer
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 |
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Sat, 15-Feb-25 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham - A walk in the woods, hopefully with snowdrops | |||
Sun, 01-Sep-24 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham | 12 | hot and sunny | |
Mon, 01-Jan-24 | New Year's Day Walk West - Gerrards Cross to Cookham | 12 | sunny to start | |
Sun, 03-Sep-23 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham | 5 | hot sunny | |
Sun, 19-Feb-23 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham | 8 | sunny | |
Thu, 02-Jun-22 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham | 3 | Sunny with some cloud cover | |
Wed, 20-Oct-21 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham (with optional Burnham Beeches detour) | 16 | mostly sunny with occasional short showers | |
Wed, 23-Sep-20 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham - Bulstrode Park, Burnham Beeches, the River Thames - and Sir Stanley Spencer | 8 | mostly cloudy occasionally rainy | |
Wed, 29-Jan-20 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham - Bulstrode Park, Burnham Beeches and the River Thames | 12 | sunny for most of the day | |
Tue, 01-Jan-19 | New Year's Day Walk (West) - Choice of Gerrards Cross to Cookham, or Cookham Circular | 10 | fairly sunny | |
Sat, 17-Nov-18 | Saturday Short - Gerrards Cross to Cookham | 21 | lovely sunny day for walking | |
Sun, 19-Aug-18 | – Burnham Beeches and the River Thames (Gerrards Cross to Maidenhead) | 4 | ||
Sun, 22-Jan-17 | Burnham Beeches, the Thames and Stanley Spencer | 15 | cold dry sunny | |
Sat, 05-Mar-16 | Saturday First Walk - Through the woods and down to the Thames | 9 | nothing like as bad as expected with some sunny intervals after midday | |
Wed, 11-Nov-15 | Mid-week day walk - Gerrards Cross to Cookham | 7 | cloudy but mild | |
Wed, 05-Aug-15 | Midweek day walk - Gerrards Cross to Cookham | 5 | overcast with sunny spells and a few drops of rain before lunch | |
Sun, 31-May-15 | – Burnham Beeches and the Thames | |||
Sat, 26-Jul-14 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | 10 | ||
Sat, 26-Oct-13 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | 30 | ||
Sun, 15-Sep-13 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | 0 | ||
Mon, 27-May-13 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sat, 27-Oct-12 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sun, 12-Aug-12 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sun, 12-Aug-12 | b | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | ||
Sat, 01-Oct-11 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sun, 17-Apr-11 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sat, 12-Jun-10 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sun, 18-Apr-10 | a | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | ||
Sat, 28-Nov-09 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sun, 01-Mar-09 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sat, 04-Oct-08 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sun, 17-Feb-08 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sat, 06-Oct-07 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sun, 25-Feb-07 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk | |||
Sat, 07-Oct-06 | Gerrards Cross to Cookham Walk |
Saturday 15-Feb-25
Sunday 01-Sep-24
9.6 miles 15.4 km Difficulty 2/10
An optional detour adds about 3 km, 1.5 miles onto the overall length
The main route goes through Bulstrode Park, dips briefly into Burnham Beeches then heads for the Thames, passing Hedsor Church and on into Cookham. The optional diversion takes you deeper into Burnham Beeches with its elderly gnarled inhabitants and, if you can find it, past a mysterious ancient moat. Cookham is associated with the artist Stanley Spencer whose memorial stone is in the churchyard. There is a small Spencer gallery in the town. Closes 4:30. Adm. £7.
Travel 10:35 train from Marylebone arriving Gerrards Cross 11:07
Return from Cookham at xx:44 changing at Maidenhead for Paddington.,
The journey back is on a different line and requires a different ticket. You should be able to buy both at Marylebone, but, if not, don't forget at Cookham.
So that’s a single from Marylebone to Gerards Cross and a single from Cookham to London.
(An All-Zones Travelcard + singles from / to the Boundary may be cheaper).
Freedom Pass holders can return free from Maidenhead on the Elizabeth line.
Elevenses / Early lunch An early temptation, the White Horse in Hedgerley (01753) 643225 is renowned for its real ale. The elevenses have been known to segue into lunchies.
Lunch The directions recommend the Jolly Woodman, 01753 644350, which has a sizeable garden. If taking the Burnham Beeches diversion, you also pass the Blackwood Arms 01753 645672
Advisable to phone
Tea: there are a few places in Cookham High Street. Infusions 01628 528 537 has a garden. The Teapot at Cleve Cottages – open till 5. There are pubs too - the Kings Arms 01628 530 667, the Bel and Dragon 01628 521 263 and two more on the way to the station.
It is 15-20 mins to the station from the High St. so allow time for that and to get yer ticket
Walk directions here
There is a little map of Burnham Beeches here
T=1.40
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Sun, 01-Sep-24
12 out of the station on a sunny and very warm day. The group stuck mostly together until the White Horse where a few decided to test the leftovers from last week’s beer and ale festival. The ales proved too much for one of the walkers who needed to regain their balance. The ale group caught up with three others just before diverting to Blackwood Arms for lunch, where later they were joined by two picnickers. Three others arrived earlier already. Lunch arrived relatively quickly and got generally good reviews with one from the ale group personally thanking the chef. Four planned to walk back to Gerard’s Cross, scouting a new route, while five intrepid ale drinkers marched on to a Cookham. After a long stretch in the sun we arrived at Cookham where some confusion about train times and a no-show bus meant the group took a train one hour later than planned. But that created just a perfect opportunity for some to enjoy cake and tea and others some cold lemonade. Off we got on a local train and later home from Maidenhead.
Group cohesion factor: 3 out of 10. Weather: hot and sunny. Flora and fauna report: A lot of sweet blackberries; heather in bloom; one cute kitten on a train and multiple horses with foals throughout the walk.
Future walkers please call lunch places ahead as some appear closed.
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Sun, 01-Sep-24
12 hot and sunny
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Sun, 01-Sep-24
As one of three picnickers on today's walk, I can confirm that the Jolly Woodman is no more. All references to it should therefore be removed or walkers should be warned that it is permanently closed.
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Mon, 02-Sep-24
I updated the on-line, written directions with news of the closure of the Jolly Woodman before this walk took place !
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Mon, 02-Sep-24
Sigh apologies for not spottting the updates. In my defence, I did check their website beforehand. This hasn’t been closed and still gives the impression they are alive and well. So if anyone deserves a spell on the naughty step , it’s them.
Monday 01-Jan-24
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Tue, 02-Jan-24
10 of us got the Bicester Village Express at 10.06 and 2 got the next one and caught us up (though not till after the drinks stop), so a very cheerful 12 on this walk. The weather was cheerful too, at least initially: sunny to start , then cloudy: not raining till we were safe in the pub at the end.
The sun was still out when we stopped in Hedgerley churchyard to toast the New Year. Here there was a battle of the champagne bottles, almost everyone producing at least one. In the end we deferred to our walk poster and drunk the two he had brought. A bottle of sloe gin also slipped in under the radar. But the top salesperson of the day was the supplier of a truly heroic amount of very delicious homemade Romanian cake, all of which eventually found a home.
Two melted away at this point, presumably walking back to Gerrards Cross. The rest of us splashed on through sometimes waterlogged woods and fields, generally enjoying being out and about, and having happy chat about this and that. We had a last little paddle in the final field before Cookham and got to the King’s Arms at about 2.45pm.
Four went straight to the station. Five of us had a cosy meal and one had his trademark cider and chips (the rustic chunky ones, not the posh parmesan ones…). Two got the 4.13 train and four of us lingered over coffees to get the 5.35. More alcohol was produced on this, which yours truly drank a little of, just to be polite you understand….
Sunday 03-Sep-23
Gerrards Cross to Cookham Book1 walk 40
9.6 miles 15.4 km
Difficulty 2/10
Across Bulstrode Park, past woods and lakes, through Egypt Wood and Burnham Beeches to a pub in Littleworth Common. An optional 1.5 mile diversion would take you deeper into Burnham Beeches with its ancient trees.
In the afternoon, there are more woods, then a stretch along the Thames into Cookham. Cookham is associated with the artist Stanley Spencer and there is a small Spencer gallery in the town.
Travel
Get the 10:12 Oxford train from Marylebone arriving Gerrards Cross 10:37.
Return from Cookham at xx44. Change at Maidenhead for Paddington.
The out and back journeys are on different lines and require different tickets. (Marylebone to Gerrards Cross and Cookham to London). You should be able to buy both at Marylebone, but, if not, don't forget to buy your return ticket at Cookham.
A Travelcard plus singles from and to Zone 6 may be cheaper.
Freedom Pass holders can return free from Maidenhead on the Elizabeth line (3 an hour) but still need a ticket for the stretch from Cookham.
Lunch The directions recommend the Jolly Woodman, 01753 644350. Advisable to phone
The optional diversion would also take you past the Blackwood Arms 01753 645672.
There is an earlier temptation, the White Horse in Hedgerley (01753) 643225. Renowned for its real ale, errant walkers have been known to linger there for too long. (There'll be none of that today, will there?😠)
Tea: There are a few places in Cookham High Street
The Teapot tea shop. There are pubs too - the Kings Arms 01628 530 667, the Bel and Dragon 01628 521 263 and two more on the way to the station.
It is still 15-20 mins to the station from the High St so allow time for that and to get yer ticket.
Walk directions here t=1.40
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Sun, 03-Sep-23
Chaos at Marylebone with no ticket machines working so big queues . 5 still reached Gerrard’s Cross at the appointed time. 3 sped off 2, slightly slower, held back to let a 6 th late starter catch up. The front 3 weren’t seen again. A hot sunny day
The back 3 succumbed to temptation and stopped at the White Horse. (The excuse being that we could let any more late starters catch up. Not that we’d have seen them behind the hedge but hey ho). Readers, the beer was good. Especially the porter. Can definitely recommend it as a stop. We didn’t linger long, though, we were soon off again. Didn’t do the detour. After a picnic in Egypt Wood, the next stop was the Woodnan (hic) where the choice was more prosaic. Then on to Cookham. We stopped again at the Swan Uppers (hic hic).
There was some talk of the walk being posted in reverse with the White Horse being a late lunch or early tea stop. But I don’t know, do I?
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Mon, 04-Sep-23
Hi Ian - glad you had a good day on Sunday.
As I am one of the main "Backwards Walking " researchers / promoters in the SWC, I can advise there is no merit in doing this walk in reverse. Whilst the White Horse pub in Hedgerley makes for a very pleasant Elevenses stop, the two pubs on Littleworth Common are good, particularly the atmospheric Blackwood Arms . And methinks finishing the walk by the River Thames in Cookham is much nicer than concluding the walk at Gerrards Cross railway station !
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Tue, 05-Sep-23
Ooh! You could make some Gerrards very cross! One of our number spoke of an experimental figure of eight that had included somewhere near GC station. But it’s not my axe and I’m not going to grind it. Happy with the existing direction.
Sunday 19-Feb-23
9.6 miles 15.4 km Difficulty 2/10
An initial stretch through Bulstrode Park, then past woods, lakes and through Egypt Wood and Burnham Beeches to a pub in Littleworth Common. (An optional 1.5 mile diversion would take you deeper into Burnham Beeches but that may be a teensy bit long for the time of year). In the afternoon, there are more woods, than a stretch along the Thames into Cookham.
Cookham is associated with the artist Stanley Spencer and there is a small Spencer gallery in the town.
Travel
The journey back is on a different line and requires a different ticket. You may be able to buy both at Marylebone, but, if not, don't forget to buy the other at Cookham. An All-Zones Travelcard plus singles from and to Zone 6 may be cheaper.
Get the 10:12 Oxford train from Marylebone arriving Gerrards Cross 10:37
Return from Cookham at xx:16, changing at Maidenhead for Paddington. Buy a single from Marylebone to Gerards Cross and a single from Cookham to London.
Freedom Pass holders can return free from Maidenhead on the Elizabeth line xx:06 and xx:36, You’ll still need a ticket from Cookham to Maidenhead, and, of course, the outward bit to Gerrards Cross.
Lunch
An early temptation, the White Horse in Hedgerley (01753) 643225.is renowned for its real ale. Errant walkers have been known to linger there for too long.
The directions, however, recommend continuing to the Jolly Woodman, 01753 644350. Advisable to phone.
The optional diversion would take you past the Blackwood Arms first 01753 645672.
Tea: there are a couple of tea shops in Cookham. Infusions on the High Street and the Teapot in Cleve Cottages. Several pubs too - the Kings Arms 01628 530 667, the Bel and Dragon 01628 521 263 and two more on the way to the station.
It is 15-20 mins to the station from the High St. so allow time for that and to get yer ticket.
Walk directions here t=1.40
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Mon, 20-Feb-23
8 on a sunny day. Firm underfoot, apart from a mysteriously gloopy stretch along a fenced-in path. Snowdrops out in force, especially in the churchyards.
Just the basic walk today - no stop at the White Horse, no deeper delve into Burnham Beeches. But we did see a field full of little baby lambies. And their mummies.
The Woodman was fine. From there, one of our number sped on to get the 15:16. The rest of us had just entered Cookham by then. What to do for an hour? Some of us ended up in the Swan Uppers where Mr Tiger had the unenviable task of explaining swan-upping to an overseas visitor. He gave it his best shot.
Thursday 02-Jun-22
9.6 miles 15.4 km Difficulty 2/10
This walk passes woods and lakes, eventually going through Egypt Wood and Burnham Beeches to a pub in Littleworth Common. An optional diversion (a further 2 km.1.5 ml.) would take you deeper into Burnham Beeches with its elderly gnarled inhabitants. In the afternoon, there are more woods then a stretch along the Thames into Cookham.
Cookham is associated with the artist Stanley Spencer whose memorial stone is in the church-yard. There is a small Spencer gallery in the town.
Travel
Note that the journey back from Cookham is on a different line and requires a different ticket. You may be able to buy both at Marylebone, but, if not, don't forget to buy your return ticket at Cookham.
Get the 10:13 Aylesbury train from Marylebone arriving Gerrards Cross 10:32
Return from Cookham at 15:22 16:15 1732 1839 19:44 changing at Maidenhead for Paddington.
Buy a single from Marylebone to Gerards Cross and a single from Cookham to London.
An All-Zones Travelcard + singles from/ to Zone 6 may be cheaper.
Freedom Pass holders can travel free from Maidenhead to London on the Elizabeth line (formerly TFL). xx:11 and xx:41 platform 4.. Still need a ticket from Cookham though.
Lunch The directions recommend the Jolly Woodman, 01753 644350, which has a sizeable garden . Advisable to phone.
If taking the Burnham Beeches diversion, you reach the Blackwood Arms first 01753 645672
There is an earlier pub, the White Horse in Hedgerley (01753) 643225. Renowned for its beer, apparently.
Difficult to predict how Jubilee goings-on will affect pubs, so bring a snack in case.
Tea: there are a few places in Cookham High Street .
Infusions 01628 528 537 has a garden.
There are pubs too - the Kings Arms 01628 530 667, the Bel and Dragon 01628 521 263 and two more on the way to the station.
It is still 15-20 mins to the station from the High St. so allow time for that and to get yer ticket.
Walk directions here t=1.40
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Sat, 04-Jun-22
My ultra-sensitive listening station has picked up a communication regarding this walk.
“ 3 walkers alighted from the 10.13 train from Marylebone. The weather was Sunny with some cloud cover After very quick introductions we got walking to the White Horse where, would you believe it, a beer festival was taking place (Moon Tiger what did you miss)! We had to pause so one walker indulged himself and had a pint of Porter (7.2%) whilst the other two satisfied themselves with a soft drink.
Fortified and lubricated, onward we walked to lunch at the Jolly Woodman, arriving at 13.15, where a good meal (and beer) was had by all. At about 14.30, luncheon over, we walked onward to Cookham where we all had tea and cake before boarding the 17.32 to Maidenhead and then by Elizabeth Line to Paddington.”
Wednesday 20-Oct-21
9.6 miles 15.4 km Difficulty 2/10
Follow the conventional route or take a diversion deeper into Burnham Beeches with its elderly gnarled trees and a mysterious ancient moat. Your destination, Cookham, is associated with the artist Stanley Spencer whose memorial stone is in the churchyard. There is a Stanley Spencer Gallery in the town, open till 5:30. Traces of an 8th century monastery were recently found in the churchyard.
Travel: get the 10:13 Aylesbury train from Marylebone arriving Gerrards Cross 10:32
Return from Cookham at 15:15 16:15 17:32 18:38 19:08, changing at Maidenhead for Paddington. Or the 1803, changing at both Maidenhead and Slough,
Note that the journeys out and back are on different lines and require different tickets. You need a single from Marylebone to Gerards Cross and a single from Cookham to London. (Or an All-Zones Travelcard and singles out from and back to the zone 6 boundary). Freedom Passes are valid on Tfl trains back from Maidenhead.
Lunch The directions recommend the Jolly Woodman, 01753 644350, which has a sizeable garden.
If taking the Burnham Beeches diversion, you reach the Blackwood Arms first, 01753 645672. You are advised to phone for both. There is also an earlier pub, the White Horse in Hedgerley (01753) 643225.
Tea: There are a few places in Cookham High Street.
Infusions 01628 528 537 has a garden.
There are pubs too - the Kings Arms 01628 530 667, the Bel and Dragon 01628 521 263 and two more on the way to the station.
It is still 15-20 mins to the station from the High Street so allow time for that - and to get your ticket if necessary.
Walk directions here
The optional detour adds about 3 km, 1.5 miles onto the overall length. You can find the route in the online directions.
T=1.40
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Sun, 17-Oct-21
Detour to Burnham Beeches now incorporated in to the on-line Walk Directions.
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Mon, 18-Oct-21
Intend going
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Tue, 19-Oct-21
Hope to make walk. Weather looks to improve. However, if it doesn't the White Horse Hedgerly usually has enough beers to keep the weather nice and relaxing.
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Thu, 21-Oct-21
16 set off in changeable weather, mostly sunny with occasional short showers About 7 went for the detour. It was agreed to be worth doing, even if the directions need a few tweaks.
About 7 stopped at the Blackwood Arms for lunch. There were favourable reports. Another 4 stopped at the Jolly Woodman where they also liked what they got. The Jolly Woodman was only accepting cash. Someone had spilt some drink in the server or something. It has to be said that 3 of the “Woodman 4” were already a bit jolly, having paid an extended visit to the White Horse. The two factions combined for the final push to Cookham. Near the end, I had arranged for a local farmer to plough a field to provide a little more texture to the walk. This worked a treat. It’s a long time since there was so much boot kicking and scraping at walk’s end. We arrived in Cookham too late to make the 16:15. At least 2 went in the museum. A sizeable number congregated in the Crown – a pub with no beer! Most had tea. 2 had cider. Most got the 17.32. No sign of the churchyard snake.
Wednesday 23-Sep-20
Length: 15.4 km (9.6 miles) Options to extend at walk-end - by 3.5 miles to Marlow, or 4 miles to Maidenhead
Toughness: 2 out of 10 4 out of 10 if going long
Car drivers - sorry, this walk does not work for you.
For those of you comfortable using public transport in Covid times, your recommended train is:
London Marylebone: 10-13 hrs Chilterns service to Aylesbury
Arrive Gerrards Cross: 10-32 hrs
Return
Cookham to Paddington, changing at Maidenhead: 16-15, 17-32, 18-03, 18-38 and 19-08 hrs
Marlow to Paddington, changing at Bourne End and at Maidenhead: 17-18, 17-47, 18-24 and 18-54 hrs
Maidenhead to Paddington: direct trains at 17-05, 17-16, 17-24, 17-35, 17-46, 18-05, 18-18, 18-25, 18-35, 18-46 and 18-57 hrs
Rail ticket: as the rail termini serve different railway companies you will need separate single tickets today, making use of your travelcard where appropriate. This minor inconvenience is the trade-off for an outward journey of only 19 mins
See our Covid Rules
After lunch you walk through more woods and along field edges then downhill through Woolman's Wood on the Beeches Way path as you finally pass through a residential development to come out beside the River Thames. It's a short walk then to cross the Cookham Town bridge to enter Cookham. On your left you will come to the Stanley Spencer Gallery - worth a brief visit if still open , then the two main pubs for a post-walk drink - The Bel and the Dragon, and The Kings Arms.
If the weather remains fine as you enter Cookham, and you still have energy to burn, you have a choice of two excellent and enjoyable walk extensions, in either direction from Cookham. The walk to Maidenhead is along a riverside path, initially with fine views on the others side of the river of Cliveden, a country house which will always be associated with the Profumo affair in 1963. The walk in the other direction over meadows and fields to Marlow is equally enjoyable.
T=1.40
Walk Directions are here: L=1.40
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Wed, 23-Sep-20
8 turned up on a mostly cloudy occasionally rainy day. An attempt to divide into 2 staggered groups of 4 was only partly successful. 6 shot off leaving just 2 behind. This later settled into 5, 2 and one slow one. 3 ate at the Woodman. Lots of conkers. Saw an old man collecting them –claimed they were for his daughter to ward off spiders. (What does she do? Throw them at them?) Not known if the faster ones stopped anywhere in Cookham. The slower 2 got the 4:15.
Wednesday 29-Jan-20
Length: 15.4 km (9.6 miles)
Toughness: 2 out of 10 (a bit more if muddy)
London Marylebone: 10-13 hrs Aylesbury service
Arrive Gerrards Cross: 10-32 hrs
Return: Cookham to Paddington, changing at Maidenhead: 15-15, 16-15, 17-32, 18-03 and 18-38 hrs
Marlow to Paddington, changing at Bourne End and Maidenhead: 17-18, 17-47, 18-24 and 18-54 hrs
Maidenhead to Paddington: regular trains (seven an hour)
Rail ticket: as the two stations are on different lines you cannot buy a return ticket for the full walk. Buy separate single tickets from and back to the boundary of your travelcard.
Today's walk has plenty of variety - parkland at the beginning, then woods and a nature reserve as you make your way to Littleworth Common, where you have a choice of two good pubs for your lunch stop: the Jolly Woodman and the Blackwood Arms, at either end of the Common. Alternatively, stop for a short drink at the Jolly Woodman then continue on the walk to Cookham, where you take a late lunch at the excellent Kings Arms (recommended for those going "long" to Marlow or Maidenhead - see below).
After Littleworth Common, you walk through more woods and pass below the Church of St Nicholas perched on a hill above you. Then you head down to the River Thames and on into Cookham. If you wish to extend your walk, you can do so - either across fields to Marlow, adding 3.5 miles, or beside the Thames with views of Cliveden and on into Maidenhead, adding some 4 miles to your walk (reversing the start of SWC 56 - Maidenhead to Marlow, the Wednesday walk on 18 December 2019). Otherwise, you can stop for tea in Cookham before your twenty minute walk to the railway station for your journey home.
T=1.40
Your Walk Directions are here: L=1.40
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Wed, 29-Jan-20
Another good Wednesday turnout, 12 today , for this pleasant walk which started in Buckinghamshire and ended in Berkshire by the River Thames in Cookham. Along the way we experienced a varied landscape which added to the enjoyment of the walk. Some snowdrops and patches of primroses were seen, plus some small pink jobbies.
It was sunny for most of the day , on the chilly side when in the breeze and in the shade, but otherwise near perfect winter walking conditions. So far this year the weather gods have shone on us for my mid-week walk postings - but will it last ?
We encountered our first splodge of serious mud at the entrance to Bulstrode Park. Mudlarks would have taken delight in wading through it. Thereafter mud levels in the morning were as to be expected on this walk in January - manageable, and never spoiling the walk.
Five of us dined at the Jolly Woodman. One went for a pint at the Blackwood Arms. The staff at the Woodman made us welcome - they were quite jolly - and we enjoyed some classic pub-grub meals. At least four of the seven sandwichers joined us for a drink. Four of them set off first on the afternoon leg of the walk, leaving eight of us to follow on some thirty minutes later. One section of the route on the Beeches Way before Woolman's Wood was challenging as we did our best to get around flooded and muddy sections, at times climbing under, over, oops upside-down barbed wire fences to avoid the worst of the mud. Once through it, the going was easy as we descended the pleasant woodland track to the level with St Nicholas church perched on the hill above us. Then on into Cookham, where we said goodbye to our long-distance voyageur, who gamely set off alone on the riverside path to Maidenhead. I hope he did not find the path flooded along the way. The rest of us either stopped for tea in the town or picked up takeaways by the railway station. We met up with the sandwicher advance party in Cookham and all eleven us boarded the 16-15 hrs train at the station, having enjoyed another SWC mid-week adventure.
Tuesday 01-Jan-19
Book 1, Walk 40: Gerrards Cross to Cookham
Length: 15.4 km (9.6 miles) Option to extend to Maidenhead or Marlow (walking in the dark)
Toughness: 2 out of 10
London Marylebone: 09-43 hrs Stratford-upon-Avon service
Arrive Gerrards Cross: 10-04 hrs
If you miss this train, there are plenty more: walk fast to catch up
Leave plenty of time to buy your tickets at Marylebone: visitors from the Orient may be in vast numbers queuing for tickets for travel to Bicester Village
Return
Cookham to London Paddington changing at Maidenhead: 16-20 and 17-34 hrs.
Marlow (to Paddington) : 17 mins past the hour
Rail ticket: you will need separate singles, given you are travelling with different rail companies using different rail termini.
2. A late start walk for New Year's Eve Revellers
Book 1, Walk 24: Cookham Circular
Length: 11 km (7 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10
London Paddington: 11-57 hrs Maidenhead service Ealing Broadway: 12-05 hrs
Arrive Maidenhead: 12-34 hrs Change trains
Leave Maidenhead: 12-39 hrs Marlow service
Arrive Cookham: 12-46 hrs
Return: 16-20 and 17-34 hrs
Both walking groups meet for a late lunch in Cookham
1. Today's main walk is relatively easy and not too demanding for New Year's Day. Near the start we walk through Bulstrode Park then through woods to Hedgerley and on through the beechwoods of Egypt Wood and Burnham Beeches.
During the morning we will stop to toast in the New Year with some bubbly. I will bring the base provisions - if one or two of the gents could bring a back-up bottle, that would be appreciated. We will find an excuse to use it sometime during the day ! If the ladies could bring some savory snacks, again that would be appreciated. Apart from the champers stop we will be doing the main walk in one stretch today, so some sustenance during the morning break will help keep us going to Cookham.
After the morning break we head for Littleworth Common then its mostly gently downhill, through more woods until we reach the River Thames for a final leg beside the river into Cookham.
Late Lunch: I have booked a table for NYD regulars at the Kings Arms pub in High Street, Cookham. The pub's management looked after us very well on NYD last year, so let's hope for a similar experience this year.
After Lunch: you either head for Cookham railway station, in the dark but on safe roads, to catch either the 16-20 hrs train or (more likely) the 17-34 hrs service back to London via Maidenhead. If the weather is good, those who enjoy walking in the dark can head for Marlow or Maidenhead, to extend their NYD walk by 3 to 4 miles.
2. Out late start walkers will be undertaking the morning leg of the Cookham to Maidenhead walk. Do bring a bottle of fizz with you, to toast in the New Year on top of Winters Hill. Your walk then continues downhill to the River Thames for a most pleasant walk beside the river all the way to Cookham. You should arrive in the centre of town shortly after walkers on the main walk. I will not know if we have spaces for you at our reserved table until I know your numbers. Might I suggest you phone me on your arrival at Cookham station at 12-46 pm - 07714-326477.
After lunch, you have the same option to continue your walk in the dark, or make for Cookham station.
T=1.40
Walk Directions - main walk - are here: L=1.40
Directions for the late starters walk are here
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Tue, 01-Jan-19
10 on this walk, 8 on the specified train and 2 a bit later, though not so late that they missed the champagne stop, which took place in a churchyard. Despite our relative lack of numbers we managed to put away three bottles, as well as a large box of freshly cooked sausages. Thanks to Marcus, as ever, for lugging two of the bottles, Joe for the third, and Gabriella for the sausages. Thanks too to the various locals who reacted with equanimity to our roistering amId the tombstones.
The weather was perfect for a New Year’s Day walk - fairly sunny , ie sunny when it mattered, even if it was cloudy at times. Birds sang, green shoots thrust up through the leaf litter, and the ground was fairly dry underfoot. One could be fooled into thinking spring was around the corner.
Did anyone do the late start circular walk? If so, we never met up with them. Instead eight of us sat at a table for 14 in the King’s Arms in Cookham (thanks again to Marcus for laying out a sizeable advance deposit to secure this) and had a pleasant late lunch.
When we emerged at 4pm, the sky was still light. For four of us this proved irresistible and we set off to walk the four miles and a bit to Marlow. Our reward was a glorious dusk over the Thames (see the SWC Facebook page) and a nice ending in the gathering dark. After tea at the Marlow Donkey we got the 6.17 back to daily life.
Saturday 17-Nov-18
The afternoon section shares the route with Walker's Langley to Cookham walk (also posted this week), so there will be an opportunity to hook up with other SWC walkers there.
Length: 9.6 miles (15.4km)
Toughness: 2/10
Catch the 10:13 train from London Marylebone to Aylesbury, arriving at Gerrards Cross 10:36
Tickets: You will need to buy two singles, Marylebone to Gerrards Cross and Cookham to Paddington
Lunch: The suggested lunch stop is The Jolly Woodman on Littleworth Common t: 01753 644350. This appears to be under new management (Mitch and Matt) with Real Ales and a revamped website. I'd suggest calling before starting the walk to ensure they will be able to provide you lunch.
Tea: There are two pubs and a deli in Cookham where it's a further 1km to Cookham Station (allow 20 minutes) where there is a Costa and Countrystore (Budgen) supermarket nearby.
Full walk directions are here .
Download a GPX file here .
Trains back from Cookham are every hour at 21 minutes past the hour. You'll need to change trains at Maidenhead with a final destination of Paddington - journey time just under an hour. Trains from Maidenhead stop at Ealing Broadway.
T=1.40
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21 walkers set off from Gerrards Cross on a lovely sunny day for walking . The conditions underfoot were very good, the late autumn colours glorious. The Jolly Woodman in Dropmore was the chosen lunch stop, where the food was plentiful and the reception friendly. A few of the walkers left the pub early enough to catch the 3.21 train from Cookham, where we met a group of ramblers and one fast walker from the Langley to Cookham walk. There was a problem with the directions immediately after lunch. It is unnecessary to turn left at the Parish church of St Anne, since doing so means walking three sides of a rectangle. It is much simpler and less anxiety-inducing to continue along the lane past the church and, on reaching the main road, cross over and turn left, soon reaching the Beeches Way signposted footpath.
Sunday 19-Aug-18
Length: 21.2 km (13.2 miles). Toughness: 3/10
10:43 Banbury train from Marylebone, arriving Gerrards Cross at 11:02. If you just miss this there's a stopping service to Gerrards Cross three minutes later, arriving at 11:19.
There are half-hourly fast trains from Maidenhead to Paddington until 18:10 (at approx. xx:10 & xx:40), plus stopping services; on the latter it's usually quicker to change at Slough.
There are engineering works on the Marlow branch line so if you choose to finish at Cookham you'll need to take the hourly rail replacement bus at xx:06.
You can't get a day return for this walk as the two stations are on lines operated by different rail companies. You may find it cheaper to get an All Zones Travelcard plus singles from/to the Zone 6 boundary.
The standard Walk 40 from Book 1 is a nicely varied stroll through parkland and the extensive woods of Burnham Beeches to the riverside village of Cookham, and if you take the suggested extension to Maidenhead (from Walk 24) you'll finish the day along one of the most attractive stretches of the Thames. The suggested lunch stop (after about two hours' walking) is the Jolly Woodman on Littleworth Common, but the directions include a small detour to the nearby Blackwood Arms if you want to try somewhere different; as usual on a Sunday, call one of these in advance if you want to be sure of a table inside. Cookham has several nice places for a mid-afternoon refreshment stop and you could also visit the Stanley Spencer Gallery.
You'll need to bring Book 1 or print the directions from the Walk 40 and Walk 24 pages. You don't really need the latter for the riverside extension, of course, but it describes a route to Maidenhead station which enables you to bypass the large town centre. T=1.40
Sunday 22-Jan-17
Length: 15.4km (9.6 miles) or 21.8km (13.5 miles) Toughness: 2/10 or 3/10
10:43Banbury train fromMarylebone arriving at Gerrards Cross at 11:02.
Return trains from Marlow to Paddington, changing at Maidenhead, are at xx:01, calling at Cookham 15 minutes later. (total journey time 1 hour 19 mins). The connecting trains from Maidenhead call at Ealing Broadway.
The start and finish stations are on different lines so best advice is to get an All Zones Travelcard and buy singles from or to the boundary of Zone 6 for each leg of the journey.
This is a pleasant and fairly easy walk through Bulstrode Park and Burnham Beeches to the Thames at Cookham, with an opportunity to visit the Stanley Spencer gallery. If you arrive there by about 3:45pm, you could extend the walk by 3.5 miles by taking the Thames Path to Marlow which you should reach before daylight fails if you don’t dally.
Both the Jolly Woodman (tel 01753 644 350) and the Blackwood Arms (tel 01753 645 672) at Littleworth Common have been recommended for the lunch stop.
The walk directions can be found on the Book 1 Walk 40 page, or can be downloaded as a PDF here, but you’ll need the actual book for the map.
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Wed, 18-Jan-17
I see there are two walks planned for Sunday 22nd Jan. I would like to know if anyone is going on either walk so I'm not alone.
Jo
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15 plus one (well-behaved) dog (Max). Weather cold dry sunny A frost persisted all day and any available mud was frozen.
The group split for lunch, some going to the Blackwood Arms and others to the Jolly Woodman. I overheard one rave review for the former. And so on to Cookham.
A good day out, the only downside being the non-arrival of the 16:16. It disappeared off the indicators without explanation. It did eventually show up, after a worrying 10 mins at below zero temperatures, just in time for us to miss the connection at Maidenhead. :(
Saturday 05-Mar-16
Length: 15.4km (9.6 miles) - with possible 1.5, 4.4 or 5 mile extension after tea
Toughness: 2 out of 10
9.43 train from Marylebone to Gerards Cross, arriving 10.02
This walk requires two single tickets, as it starts and finishes on totally different lines. But this is not that expensive with a Network Card. Outward to Gerrards Cross the fare is £5.95. Back from Cookham to Paddington it is £8.05. So £14 altogether, less if you are buying a ticket from a London Transport zone boundary. A six zone travelcard bought with a Network Card (available from rail ticket machines but not Underground ones) might also reduce the cost.
For walk directions click here.
I am not sure when this walk last had a Saturday outing, but I don't think it has had one for a while. If you can conquer your irritation at having to buy two single tickets, it is a very pleasant gentle walk through woods and fields down to the Thames at Cookham. One other reason I chose it for today is that it has three possible lunch stops, which may be useful if Mother's Day entertaining spills over from tomorrow to today.
For tea, as well as the three pubs in the Cookham high street, there is a tea room (described as "Infusions" in the walk directions but now the Teapot Tea Room, open till 5pm). Failing that, just before the station on the right is the Pizza Dreams Cafe, open till 9pm, and across the level crossing and to the left a Costa Coffee open to 6.30pm daily
Lengthening the walk
Looking at our walks database, I see two options are mentioned for lengthening this walk which have not been done since 2010.
- The nicest is to continue on the Thames Path from Cookham to Bourne End (1.5 miles) or Marlow (another 3.5 miles from Bourne End). The path is well signposted and to get to it from central Cookham either cross the churchyard, or take the path to the right on Cookham Moor 100 metres beyond the Crown. If you need directions when you come into Marlow, page eight of this document ("Riverside ending in Marlow") will help, taking you to the tea options and then the station.
- If you are only walking to Bourne End there is a quirky riverside pub as a tea option (stay on this side of the river when the Thames Path crosses the railway bridge and it is 200 metres on the left). To get to Bourne End station, take the path that doubles back up steps on the eastern side of the bridge on the north bank - it follows the railway line to the station.
- Alternatively you can follow the Thames Path from Cookham in the other direction, down to Maidenhead - a distance of 4.4 miles. Print off the directions for walk 24, Cookham to Maidenhead for this and follow them from point 37. This document also outlines the tea options. The last mile or so of this walk is along urban streets but it is otherwise very pleasant, and your fare back will be cheaper (see below)
Trains back
From Cookham at 21 past the hour.
From Marlow at 06 past and the fare is £9.25 with a Network Card.
From Bourne End at 17 past.
From Maidenhead there are four trains an hour and the fare is £7.95.
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Just to add insult to injury, correct me if I"m wrong but I don't think the Marylebone ticket office will sell you the ticket for the return journey. They only look after their own.You either have to get it in advance or remember to buy it at Cookham from a machine. Certainly was the case unless someone's banged some sense into them by now.
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Sun, 06-Mar-16
9 on this walk, one of whom caught us at lunch having caught the stopping train. Hope no one else was confused by this - it was the 9.43 to Banbury stopping at Gerrard's Cross, not the 9.46 all stations to Gerrard's Cross (which I did not know about).
A nice easy walk in the woods. Not over-muddy at all, though enough somehow got onto our boots and trousers to make it look as if we had been through the Battle of the Somme. The Jolly Woodman was cosy and empty - one reason for the latter might have been the unsmiling staff and so-so food: next time we will try one of the other pubs. The weather was nothing like as bad as expected with some sunny intervals after midday - ie not much wind and only three very brief and light showers (one with some hail). The tea room in Cookham was as cheerful as the lunch pub was not and begged us NOT to remove our boots.
Six of us comtinued after tea to Bourne End, five going on to Marlow. It was a bit slippy on the Thames Path but the sun increasingly came out (shining straight in our faces, but you can't have everything). We had a drink in the Donkey and caught the 6pm train, suitably satisfied with our exertions.
Wednesday 11-Nov-15
Gerrards Cross to Cookham
Book 1 Walk 40
Brief Description
Full details of this walk may be found here
Suggested Lunch stops
Suggested Tea stop
Map
Return train times
I would suggest you allow 15 minutes for the walk from the tea stop to the station. There's a Co-op opposite the station, should you wish to pick up any food or drink items there.
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Mon, 09-Nov-15
I am planning to go, but need someone to be on the walk with a print out of the walking directions. Printer out of action again!
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Thu, 12-Nov-15
7 weather cloudy but mild . Attractive walk mainly along woodland trails. Very little mud and recent dry weather meant we waded through drifts of fallen leaves Excellent lunch at the Jolly Woodman but good reports from those who had a drink at the Blackwood Arms. We did not linger in Cookham but it is worth noting that there is now a Costa Coffee just 40m beyond the station level crossing.
Wednesday 05-Aug-15
Gerrards Cross to Cookham
Book 1 Walk 40
Brief Description
You may find full details here
Suggested Lunch stops
Suggested Tea stops
Maps
Return train times
16:21 | 17:31 | 18:02 | 18:32 19:02
Change at Maidenhead with a journey time about an hour, (Ealing Broadway about 50 minutes.)
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Wed, 05-Aug-15
5 overcast with sunny spells and a few drops of rain before lunch
4 walkers off the train, 1 had arrived by car (and left us after lunch to re-trace her steps to the car). mostly fine walk, if a little high on the tarmac count. the directions held up well. the morning talk seemed to be all about Bridge, as three walkers are active club players, while 1 other walker got on with reading the directions...
lunch stop at The Jolly Woodman, 2/3 into the walk; of average quality, but probably value for money, at a nice outside table, surrounded by the highest number of plant hangers and pots ever seen at a pub (and quite a few bees and wasps, inevitably).
15.21 train, home at half four!
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Wed, 05-Aug-15
well, we didn't curtail the walk. just walked the normal route, at normal pace, with a normal length stay at the pub. but we skipped tea in light of every1 getting home in time. 15.5 km does not a long walk make...
Sunday 31-May-15
Length: 21.2 km (13.2 miles). Toughness: 3/10
10:20 Beaconsfield train from Marylebone (West Ruislip [Central Line] 10:42), arriving Gerrards Cross at 10:55.
There are three trains an hour from Maidenhead to Paddington, at irregular times but fairly evenly spaced out. The fastest ones (calling only at Slough) are at around 45-50 minutes past the hour.
You can't get a day return for this walk as the two stations are on lines operated by different rail companies. You may find it cheaper to get an All Zones Travelcard plus singles to/from the Zone 6 boundary.
The standard Book 1 walk is a nicely varied stroll through parkland and the extensive woods of Burnham Beeches to the riverside village of Cookham, and if you take the suggested extension to Maidenhead you'll finish the day along one of the loveliest stretches of the Thames. Lunch is at the Jolly Woodman after about two hours' walking; as usual on a Sunday, call ahead if you want to be sure of a table inside. Cookham has several nice places for a mid-afternoon refreshment stop and you could also visit the Stanley Spencer Gallery.
You'll need to bring Book 1 or print the directions from the Walk 40 and Walk 24 pages. You don't really need the latter for the riverside extension, of course, but it describes a route to Maidenhead station which enables you to bypass the large town centre.