Goring and Whitchurch Thames Walk

Walk length 10 miles/16 km approx. Circular.

A spectacular walk that takes in a wide variety of scenic landscape features.

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Walk Description

We start off from the small Chiltern Town of Goring-on-Thames, which has many historic buildings dating back to the sixteenth Century. Going gently uphill we get to Upper Gatehampton Farm which has superb views over the Thames and the historic Gatehampton railway bridge built by the great Victorian civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

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The walk takes us down to the small pretty village of Whitchurch, where we cross the bridge and stop for a picnic by the Thames. The last leg of the walk is gentle and flat along the Thames back to Goring passing under the Gatehampton railway bridge, with great views over the riverside landscape.

An interesting feature along the path is a number of pillboxes built in the 1940's as part of the British civil defence.

Lunch & Finish

Please bring a snack lunch and water for the walk. The walk should finish at about 4.30pm and include a 30 min snack lunch stop & pub at the end, however the time may be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace (we have a relaxed pace which includes sightseeing and photography).

Transport and meetinghttp://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/7/e/2/event_231258402.jpeg

Meet Outside Goring and Streatley station from 10.45am for the walk to start at 11.00am. See photo right.

By car: The Wheel Orchard council car Park, Off Station Road, Goring, RG8 0LL. Free on a Sunday (10 min walk to rail station, see map right); may also be other free car parking close to the station. The Station Car Park is £4.60.http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/9/9/0/event_231258832.jpeg

By train: The 09.43am train from London Paddington gets to Goring and Streatley for 10.58am. Please check the first great western site for more details.
See First Great Western (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/)

I would encourage you to seek other members who are driving, or take advantage of a group save on the train. See: Group Save Advice (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Group_Save/)

Please make a note of the organizers numbers - Leon 07950125826.

RSVP: The organizers monitor non-attendance; we will ban anyone who 'no shows' twice for our events. You are also asked to please update your RSVP at least 24 hours beforehand.
Please see our RSVP policy (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/RSVP_for_Walks/)
Weather: Updates will be posted; see also BBC Weather (http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/)
Please see our weather policy (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Weather/)

Dog Policy: As a group we allow and enjoy dogs on our walks however we do ask dog owners to read our dog policy (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Dog_Policy/)

Walking Safety: Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You must wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking boots, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Terms_and_Conditions/)