Free! Beautiful Henley-on-Thames & the Chiltern hills, 17km

Visit Henley-on-Thames, a beautiful town on the River Thames in Oxfordshire and a great place to live in the English countryside. It has a pretty riverside location surrounded by a Chiltern landscape of wooded hills and green fields.

The town’s historic heart sits close to the river with many locations designated ‘of special architectural or historical interest’ such as St Mary’s Church and the 18th century stone bridge. Henley is internationally famous for its rowing regatta, the Henley Royal Regatta.

Walk along this beautiful stretch of the river as we head out towards Hambleden Lock. Along the way you're bound to see rowers on the water. As we admire the grand houses along the banks of the Thames, we'll pass a small island in the middle of the river called Temple Island with an elegant ornamental temple constructed in 1771 - it offers a unique fairytale venue for wedding receptions and family parties.

When we reach Hambleden Lock, we come across a long weir with a walkway over it which we use to cross to the other side. The lock is a device that enables boats to navigate between the different water levels on the river. The weir has quite a bit of history; it was redeveloped to create a wave with canoeists in mind. It is quite a site to behold - an impressive river crossing!

The lock is named after the little village of Hambleden, a mile to the north. Our walk continues to this picturesque rural village where it feels you've stepped into a time capsule and travelled back in time - it is a popular film location, with movie and TV producers coming here often to capture its essence on camera.

Cute Hambleden village is known for films such as Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow (starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and more recently Disney's Enchanted sequel (starring Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams). TV series such as Agatha Christie's Poirot and Amazon's Good Omens (starring David Tennant) have been filmed here as well.

When we leave this charming village, we ascend into the beautiful hills, woods and fields around Henley-on-Thames to complete the loop back to the station.

Start time: 9:30am

Start location: Henley-on-Thames station

End location: Henley-on-Thames station

Length: approx 17km

Ascent: approx 210m

Time: approx 5 - 6 hrs. It’s not possible to guarantee an exact end time as it depends on the weather, pace of the group, and our breaks along the way. There's the option to grab some refreshments at a pub in town at the end of the hike.

Pace: relaxed - we will not be zooming along in a mad rush. The aim is to enjoy being outdoors in nature and have a fun, friendly day. This is a relatively easy hike along good paths - there is a bit of an ascent when we reach the hills but nothing too strenuous.

Transport (train): The 8.38am train from London Paddington reaches Henley-on-Thames at 9:27am.

Transport (car): If you're driving, there are chargeable car parks close by.

Transport (car share): I'll be driving from Ealing, West London and have space for 3 passengers. Please contact me if you'd like to car share.

What to bring:

Check the weather and bring appropriate gear. Trails can be muddy and slippery. A backpack, waterproof jacket, sufficient food, snacks, and water along with suitable socks and footwear (waterproof hiking boots) are some essentials. Don't wear inappropriate clothing such as jeans or sneakers. Remember to carry any medication you may require. If it’s sunny, don’t forget a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen!

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER AND INFORMATION:

I am NOT a qualified hike leader or first aider. This group is my hobby. Hiking and hill walking carry the risk of personal injury and death. Participants must be aware of, and accept, the risks. Participants are responsible for their own safety and actions and agree not to hold me responsible or liable for any injury (or death), damage or losses incurred either directly or indirectly from their participation in group events.

Please go to the 'About' or 'About us' section of Hikes to Remember for the full disclaimer and information.