Segment 10: Cholsey to Culham

What is this?

This is Segment 10 of the Thames walk, the next walk for the group that started this quest last year. People have the choice of doing just a day trip or make it a whole weekend of walking; Segment 10 on aturday and Segment 11 on Sunday.

Segment 10, is Cholsey to Culham, the walk goes through rural Oxfordshire , passing through meadows and takes into two attractive little villages/towns Wallingord and Shillingford

Meeting time.

The walk will start at 10:15 am from Cholsey Station; meet utside the station in the station Car park.

Getting to the Meeting Point .

The best train to take from Paddington is 8:57 am to Oxford, which goes past Ealing at 9:05 and get you to Cholsey at 10:11 am.

If you are doing a day trip the best option is to buy a return ticket to Culham (ask the ticket person to write Thames path on it) (Price £22.50) , for weekender the best option is to buy a return ticket Oxford. (Price £24.90)

For people interested in Group Saver tickets, which knock 50 % of the price, please send me a message. I will organise these tickets for people who need them.

The walk

The walk is described in the three websites below, the third website has a complete set of picture for all parts of the route

http://www.thames-path.org.uk/thames_cholsey_dorchester.html

http://www.thames-path.org.uk/thames_dorchester_abingdon.html , Please note we are not going as far as Abingdon on Saturday, but will finish the walk in Culham.

www.luphen.org.uk/walks/thames_path/06_culham_cholsey.htm

For details of the route , check out the map.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5343870

Pitstops

There will be two planned stops for this walk , “

A short stop at Wallingford and 1 hours lunch Break at Shillingford

Wallingford is a quaint little town so people who want to take a 15-30 minutes break to have a quick look around the high street can do that. We will re-assemble at the Boat House pub on the High Street and restart from there at 12:00 pm

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/f/9/a/event_106896762.jpeg

The Boat House

103 High Street
Wallingford

The lunch stop will be

The Shillingford Bridge Hotel , Shillingford Bridge.

Once you reach the Shillingford Bridge you have to go across the Bridge to the other side of the river. There is a lunch booking for us at the hotel

Apres Walk drinks.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/2/7/4/event_106897492.jpeg

Railway inn

Station Rd, Culham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3BT

(This is right next to the station)

Getting home

Trains from Culham to London on a Saturday are few and far between. The best one to take is at 17:17 pm. If you miss that you can go to Oxford at 18:01 or wait for the next train at 19:17.

How far is it and when will I get there?

The walk is 13 Miles from Cholsey Station to Culham Station .

Approximate times for the walk are:

10:15 am Start

11:30 : First Stop at Wallingford

12:00 pm Start from Wallingford Boat House

1:00 pm Lunch Stop at Shillingford Bridge Hotel at Shillingford

2:00pm Start after lunch

4:00 pm at Culham, Railway Inn

Train back at 17:17

FAQ

What do I need to bring?

It is a relatively long walk in the countryside, you will need good comfortable shoes, and don’t forget water, chocolates and money for lunch and the pint at the end of the trip.

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 10:15, this is timed to start after the train from Oxford which gets to Cholsey at 10:07 and the one from Reading at 10:11, If you are not on these trains , it will probably be too late and difficult for you to meet us.

Can I do only part of the walk?

It will be difficult to quit half way as there are no train stations along the way. If you have to or need to the only options would be to investigate bus options or take a taxi .

What if I get lost?
Please don't, but if you do, please phone 0776 9682056 , even if you can make your own way home.

What if it rains or the weather is bad?
The walk will be on rain or shine, make sure you get enough waterproof clothing.