Henley Circular With Big Climbs, Views And Riparian Delights

Waitlist: If this event becomes fully booked, but if you'd like to attend, please add yourself to the waitlist. Places often become available closer to the date, and you are likely to get one. 

This is a moderately challenging 14 mile circular walk primarily exploring the Chiltern Hills and Hambleden Valley with a homecoming stretch along the Regatta Course section of the Thames Path. This will also be my first lead as a Lowland and Hill Walk Leader so please come along to support me!

The Sights:

Henley-On-Thames: is a town renowned for its vibrant river life and Georgian architecture. The world famous Henley Royal Regatta will be commencing the week after this hike so no doubt preparations will be well underway

Henley Park: is a historic country house and landscape garden, originally established in the 13th Century as a deer park. We will be walking through the parkland as we leave Henley-On-Thames

Stonor House And Deer Park: has been the home of the Stonor family for 850 years, making it one of the oldest family residences still in use. The deer park is home to a herd of fallow deer. Although we won’t be visiting the house or Italianate-style gardens, we will still get views of the house and grounds may get to spot some deer  

Southend: no seaside, pier or references to TOWIE here, this is a small and unremarkable hamlet (marking the halfway point and lunch stop) and is part of the parish of Turville, synonymous with The Vicar of Dibley 

Hambleden: is a picturesque Bucks village known for its brick-and-flint cottages and has a rich history dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086. It’s a popular movie and TV film location with productions including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 101 Dalmatians, Goodnight Mister Tom and Midsomer Murders. Option for tea, coffee and cake here at our three-quarter mark

Mill End And Hambleden Lock: we access the Thames Path crossing a wide section of the river across a bridge and weir at Mill End to Hambleden lock, with views back to Hambleden Mill

Thames Path And Henley Royal Regatta Course: the final stretch will include the world-famous rowing course measuring 1 mile and 550 yards over a straight racing line and in use since 1839. At the start of the course you’ll find Temple Island with its Etruscan-style temple designed by James Wyatt in 1771.  

Henley Royal Regatta: during this period Henley hosts one of the highlights of the English summer social season with world-class rowing, elegant hospitality tents and a black-tie music festival. The regatta and festival will be commencing the following week, so as we return to Henley, you will see the various tents and stands being readied 

The Route here:

Starting at Henley-On-Thames Railway Station we will briefly walk through the town headed for the Oxfordshire Way, taking us North-East, firstly up a steep hill and then a flat stroll through the parkland of Henley Park. Continuing along the Oxfordshire way we will eventually go steep downhill into Middle Assendon.

From Middle Assendon we continue through roads, paths and tracks to Stonor, where we join the Shakespeare’s Way, following a steep uphill section skirting past Stonor House and Deer Park. After a long climb ascending 400 meters we will eventually reach the hamlet of Southend where we will stop for lunch.

After lunch we continue on trails, with a number of wooded sections, to eventually arrive downhill into Hambleden, which is a scenic village and has a shop where we can get refreshments including tea, coffee and cake.

From Hambleden, it’s flat for the remainder of the walk, firstly a meadow section following the Hamble Brook and finally we will follow the Thames Path back to Henley-On-Thames including the regatta course section. Optional pub visit to the Anchor Inn at the end!  

Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome, there are some stiles on route and sections along lanes and roads where there may be traffic and dogs will need to be kept on a lead. Please abide by the Countryside Code (https://tinyurl.com/rlqvp3h) and remember not everyone loves dogs as much as you do so be mindful of other members.

Is this your first ODL event?

Attending your first event with OutdoorLads might feel daunting. What will happen, who will be there, and what can you expect? We know that new members in particular like to know in advance more about what an OutdoorLads event will be like. 

If this is your first ODL event, you should check out the information designed specifically for you on the My First Event page on the ODL website. If you have any other questions you can send a message to the leader.

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.

All photos taken by the leader on different dates over the past 5 years and permission given to OutdoorLads for use.