Segment 9 Catch-up: Tilehurst to Cholsey
Details
What is this?
This is a catchup of Segment 9 of the Thames Path walk, for those who can't make the main meetup (see https://www.meetup.com/Sea2Source/events/17152676/ ).
This walk is the prettiest of the lot as it skirts the foothills of the Chilterns. Everyone planning to come for this walk can look forward to a treat.
Richard will be leading this walk; if you're interested in joining us, please store his mobile number in your phone now - it's 07970 841367.
Meeting time
Our departure time will be 10:00am from the Tilehurst Station Car Park; please arrive at least 10 minutes beforehand!
The ideal train from London leaves Paddington at 0903 and changes at Reading at 0943 to arrive at Tilehurst at 0947
Getting to the Meeting Point - Tilehurst
Tilehurst is on the mainline from Reading to Oxford, only five minutes from Reading so if you can get to Reading you can easily get to Tilehurst.
The return fare from London Paddington to Tilehurst and then back from Cholsey to Padding is pretty steep = £20 , and there is no easy means of find a cheaper fare, except the Group saver fare which will reduce the expense to half for every group of 4 people.
Please note that for the moment I'm not planning to organise group tickets for the train for this walk, please comment if you're interested and I'll take a look at the options.
The walk
The start of the walk is along the road and we will need to navigate our way through Tilehurst for more than a mile before we get to the river. Once next to the river it all becomes fantastic, the next 3 miles is through beautiful rural setting, we are unlikely to see another person until we get to Pangbourne,. where we cross a quaint little toll bridge into Whitchurch-on-Thames. After Whitchurch we walk along the Chiltern Hills for another 4 miles and get to our lunch stop in Goring. After lunch we have another 4.5 miles before we get to the end of the walk at the Morning Star pub, near Cholsey station.
Beware! The end of the walk involves a diversion from the Thames Path into Cholsey, so please check the map and make sure you're familiar with the route.
For more details of the walk, including some pictures check out
http://www.thames-path.org.uk/thames_tilehurst_cholsey.html
For details of the route, check out the map.
http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5321411
Pitstops
Although the main walk is looking to take a tea break in Whitchurch, on previous records we should hit the lunch stop fairly close to 1pm if we don't take a break, so I'm suggesting that, like most of our walks, we walk straight to lunch.
The Lunch Stop (60 minutes)
As it's Mother's Day, Pierreponts can only promise us sandwiches & snacks on Sunday, so I'm also looking at http://www.thejohnbarleycornpub.co.uk , http://www.thecatherinewheelgoring.co.uk or http://www.swanatstreatley.co.uk/eat.html
http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/9/7/0/event_90666512.jpegPierreponts Cafe (http://pierreponts.com/) Telephone: 01491 874464
High Street Goring-on-Thames RG8 9AB
Googling for "Pierreponts Goring" (http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=pierreponts+goring) gives some very positive feedback for this place, so unless the first group tell us otherwise, we can expect a very pleasant lunch.
Apres Walk drinks.
http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/9/2/0/event_90666432.jpegThe Morning Star
98 Papist Way, Cholsey, Oxfordshire OX10 9QL
01491 651413
Getting home
The Cholsey Station is half a mile from the Morning Star, Trains from Cholsey to Reading & London are at the following times,
16,18, 17:20, 18:18, 19:20
How far is it and when will I get there?
The walk is 13 Miles from Tilehurst Station to the Morning Star pub.
Approximate times for the walk are as follows
10:00 am Start
13:00-14:00: Lunch Stop in Goring
16:00: End at Morning Star Pub
FAQ
What do I need to bring?
It is a relatively long walk in the countryside, you will need good walking shoes or boots, and don’t forget water, a snack and money for lunch and the pint at the end of the trip.
If you'd like your own map (never a bad idea!) this is the one I use: http://www.amazon.co.uk/River-Thames-Path-Heron-Maps/dp/0956518338
What if I can't make it?
Please change your RSVP to "no" as soon as you decide you can’t make it.
What if I am late?
We will be leaving the meeting point at 10:00, timed to leave after the train arriving at Tilehurst at 9:47. If you miss that train, the next best option is to take the next train to Pangbourne at meet us at The Ferry boat, on The Whitchurch-on-Thames High Street.
You must contact Richard on the day if you want to join us at Pangbourne, and you will need to be on the 10:03 out of Paddington to reach Pangbourne at 11:02 (changing at Reading for a train to Tilehurst, then a replacement bus to Pangborne!), and to make your own way to the Ferryboat Pub across Pangbourne Bridge.
Can I do only part of the walk?
Yes you can. Pangbourne after 4 miles or Goring after 8.5 miles are the best places to quit .
What if I get lost?
Please don't, but if you do, please phone 07970 841367, even if you can make your own way home.
In particular, make sure you know where to turn off the Thames Path to find your way to Cholsey!
What if it rains or the weather is bad?
The walk will be on rain or shine, make sure you bring appropriate waterproof clothing.