The Unicorn to Mapledurham circular Walk 10.5 miles

SUMMARY
Distance, 10.5 miles
Duration, 4-4.5 hours including stops
Difficulty, Moderate due to the length of the walk and pace (approx 3 miles/hour + stopping time)
Bring a packed lunch/snacks + water to eat around the half way point.
Your Walk Leaders will be Emma and Malcolm

£5 payable at the start of the walk to help cover group running costs

Meet us outside The Unicorn in Kingham Common, near Henley, South Oxfordshire, for this 10.5 mile circular walk to Mapledurham Watermill.

Parking is nearby in Chiltern Road, 5 minutes walk from the start. There is more parking towards The Greyhound further along Chiltern Road and another parking area at the crossroads with Stoke Row Road and Horsepond Road.
Please allow time to park your car and get to the start outside The Unicorn.

This walk takes us through woodlands and open farm land, before dropping down towards the Thames and Mapledurham House before returning. Sadly, Mapledurham Watermill and Cafe have not yet opened their doors to visitors in 2022.

Mapledurham, named after its maple trees, goes back to before Norman times. In 1490, it was acquired by Richard Blount of Iver and his descendants still live here. Sir Walter Blount (or Blunt) gave his life as decoy for his liege lord Henry IV at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403. Another decoy, this time for Winston Churchill, played a part in the movie ‘The Eagle Has Landed’ which was filmed here, such is the appeal of this isolated unspoilt location. Mapledurham House is Elizabethan, built in the traditional E-shape. Mapledurham Watermill is the only working mill on the Thames and it still grinds flour. The main structure is from the 1400s. In the 1920s a turbine was installed at the side of the millhouse and in 2011 it was replaced by a modern Archimedes screw. It generates electricity for the locality and the grid.
St Margaret's Church, within the grounds was built in the late 1200s.
From the Thames, we will head up through Park Wood and then country lanes and footpaths via Trench Green and Tinkers Green. Another climb up Green Dean hill taking the path through the woods to Kidmore End and back to our starting point.

The Unicorn is a fantastic pub with delicious food. If you wish to eat here after the walk, booking is strongly recommended. http://www.unicornkingwood.co.uk/

RSVP: Please keep your 'RSVP' updated for this event and if you are unable to attend then you must change your RSVP to a No.

Dog Policy: As a group we allow and enjoy dogs on our walks. We do ask dog owners to read our dog policy (https://www.meetup.com/EscapeYourEveryday/pages/DOGS_ON_WALKS%3A_Group_policy).

Walking Safely: 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. We recommend using Suncream and a hat in the summer.

To help with the running costs of Escape Your Everyday, there is a cost of £5 per person payable to the Walk Leader at the start.