New Date: Wind In The Willows River Summer 😎 Sunday Saunter

Walk Rescheduled From Sunday 12th July To Sunday 23rd Aug Due To Prolonged Heatwave Conditions. 

Join us for a relaxed and sociable 10-mile circular walk through some of the most quintessentially English stretches of the Thames Valley – with one cheeky hill to earn your lunch. This is classic “Wind in the Willows” country. The Wind in the Willows was inspired by this very stretch of river, where Kenneth Grahame spent part of his childhood in Cookham. As we walk beside the Thames, it’s not hard to imagine Ratty and Mole “messing about in boats” along these same waters. Think lazy riverbanks, boats drifting by, and just enough charm to make you feel like you should be carrying a picnic hamper (or at least a decent snack).

The route is 10 miles, however there is the option just to do the morning section (just over 5 miles) and take the train back from Marlow Station. 

The Route:

Starting at Cookham Station, we will initially walk into the older centre of the village, past the Stanley Spencer Gallery. We will then walk through the churchyard of the scenic Holy Trinity Church and then join the Thames Path, following the river for about 1.5 miles. 

Later we will diverge from the Thames Path walking uphill towards Winter Hill where we are rewarded with sweeping views across the Thames Valley. We will follow the ridge for some time before climbing back down and then taking a flatter route towards Marlow. Entering Marlow, we will walk over it's historic bridge (see more details below) before getting to it's lively High Street.

At lunch we will take an extended break enabling participants to do their own thing, whether grabbing a coffee and sandwich in one of the cafes or a picnic lunch in the riverside park. 

After lunch we will re-join the Thames path, which is now on the North side of the river, and walk along it for 3 miles towards Bourne End with it's marina. At the railway bridge we cross back to the South side of the river, re-trace some of our steps from the morning walk and then take a path back towards Cookham Station following the railway line across fields and later passing by a golf course.

Depending on the time that we arrive back, mindful that for those taking the train services are just hourly, there may be time for a quick drink or tea and cake at the nearby cafe (which closes at 4pm on Sundays). 

The Sites:

Cookham: is a quintessential Thames-side village, widely regarded as one of the most picturesque in England. The village has a strong artistic identity, most notably through its association with Stanley Spencer, whose work vividly depicted local life; and his legacy is preserved in the Stanley Spencer Gallery. 

Winter Hill: located just above Cookham, is characterised by its elevated position and sweeping views across the Thames Valley and the Chilterns. Much if it is protected by the National trust. 

Marlow: is a lively and attractive Georgian town that blends historic character with a strong leisure and dining scene. The town’s elegant suspension bridge, designed by William Tierney Clark, is a notable landmark and the famous Chain Bridge in Budapest, designed by the same architect, is a larger scale replica of Marlow Bridge. 

Bourne End: is a village where the Thames meets the River Wye and has a marina and railway bridge which we will pass and cross. The area also played a role in early British film production at Riverside Studios.

The route can be found here:

Dogs: 

Well-behaved dogs are welcome, the sections along the Thames Path can get busy, the lunch spot in Marlow can get very busy and there are sections walking along pavements alongside busy roads. 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.

Photos: 

All photos the leader's own, with permission given to OutdoorLads for use.