Henley-on-Thames to Bourne End (River Thames walk), 13.7 miles, moderate

This walk will take along along the northern bank of the River Thames on the Berks/Bucks border between Henley-on-Thames and Bourne End.

This walk will be led by Michael.

NOTE: This walk has been rescheduled from 6th July, as the Henley Regatta would have made the area extremely busy on that date.

Please see our website for more information about the group.

Pace: medium. Ascent: 73m.

Walk details

This riverside walk will be taking us into Bourne End, which is a quaint village located on the Buckinghamshire side of the River Thames. Its original location differed from that of the village centre we see today, which was located just half a mile downstream on the Thames. The name refers to the end of the river, with bourne being a Medieval term for river, and it derives from the mouth of the River Wye. It appears as early as 1722 on Morden’s map of Buckinghamshire that year as “Born end”, which was noted in the 19th century. However, by then, the name had been corrupted to “Bone End”, apparently through local mispronunciation and thence on official maps and documents. In 1858, the vicar of Wooburn succeeded in reversing the change, and this corrected name remains in use today.

Today’s walk will start in Henley-on-Thames and follow the River Thames to Bourne End via Marlow. From Henley-on-Thames station, we’ll head to Station Road, which we turn right onto to take us to the Thames before crossing over it at the A4130 White Hill to take us out of Henley. We’ll then follow the Thames on the other side, which we then follow to Hambleden Lock, where we cross back over towards the A4155 to turn right onto. Shortley after this, we’ll follow Ferry Lane back to the Thames before walking around a Sewage works, Harleyford Golf Club and a marina, where we’ll be stopping for a mid-walk pint and lunch. After this, we’ll head into Marlow via Pergola Field, and then we’ll continue walking along the Thames parallel to the railway to take us into Bourne End, where we’ll finish our walk. For those who want to have another pint at the end of the walk, we’ll be stopping off at The Walnut tree pub, which is roughly 5 minutes from the station.

Travel details

By public transport

From Reading, you’d need to get the 09:29 Elizabeth line service, which arrives in Twyford at 09:34. This then gives you enough time to change for the 09:45 GWR service, which arrives in Henley at 09:57.

If you’re travelling from Newbury, then you’d need to get the 08:48 GWR service, which arrives in Reading at 09:03. If you're travelling from the Wokingham and Bracknell direction, then you’d get the 08:58 SWR service from Wokingham (08:51 from Bracknell) that arrives in Reading at 09:12. Both of these trains will give you plenty of time to change at Reading in time for the given train above.

By car

There’s a fair amount of parking at Henley station, which you’d have to pay for. However, as this is a linear walk, you’d then have to make your way back by train via Maidenhead and Twyford. For this reason, it may be easier to coordinate lifts so that if you're driving, you can get travel back to Henley from Bourne End by car.

Notes

• Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
• It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
• Please contact the leader directly if you are delayed on the day or can't find the group (find contact details on our website). We are unlikely to respond to Meetup comments or messages sent on the day of the walk in enough time to be helpful.