Railways and Waterways Walks

This is the first stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". A varied countryside walk linking open farmland, landscaped parkland and a world-renowned golf course, with highlights including Waterperry house and gardens, the first sight of the River Thame at Bow Bridge and Rycote Chapel.

A mainly level circular walk of about 150 miles along the waterways between Oxford and the London suburbs. It can be done in day trips by train or express bus from all the towns en route. This circular long-distance path starts in rural Oxfordshire, then follows the Grand Union Canal, which has a close-knit narrowboat community, into the Chilterns before winding through the suburbs of London. It crosses the playing fields of Eton to join the Thames Path, which meanders all the way back to Oxford. The route passes over and under bridges of every kind, through country parks, idyllic villages with thatched cottages, grand estates and historic market towns like Aylesbury, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford. The lakes, chalk rivers and water meadows are home to a diversity of wildlife, and traditional waterside pubs provide welcome refreshment.

This is the second stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". A pleasant meander through the water meadows of the Thame Valley past Notley Abbey and through picturesque villages to the historic gatehouse of Eythrope Park, before diverting up a quiet private road to Stone village. Until the work on HS2 is completed, this stage ends at Stone, a short bus ride from Aylesbury.

This is the third stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". This walk along the canal towpath passes many bridges and locks, the Tring Reservoirs Nature Reserve, then climbs steadily to the highest point on the Grand Union Canal before gradually descending beside a peaceful chalk river.

This is the fourth stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". Following the River Bulbourne, then the River Gade along the valley, there is plenty to see on this walk, from the narrowboats, historic locks and bridges and the oldest mechanised paper mill in the world, to nature reserves and the popular Cassiobury Park.

This is the fifth stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". There is water, water everywhere on this walk, starting with the diverse habitats of the Rickmansworth Aquadrome, then passing more lakes and nature reserves. A stark contrast is the massive HS2 Colne Valley viaduct crossing the canal.

This is the sixth stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". A varied walk across an aqueduct on a quiet branch of the canal, then following a cycleway to the Jubilee River, where a footpath crosses the playing fields of Eton College to the historic towns of Eton and Windsor and the Thames Path. This is a short stage allowing plenty of time for a stroll along the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park and/or to sample the tourist attractions of Windsor with its royal connections.

This is the seventh stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". This walk passes Windsor Castle, then meanders through the water meadows, past a lonely church and the Olympic Rowing Lake, before visiting the well-known village of Bray, then following the Cut into Maidenhead. This is a short stage, so there is plenty of time to watch the changing of the guard, from 10.45 Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and to have a look at the Eton College Olympic rowing lake.

This is the eighth stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". A scenic walk to Boulter's Lock and tranquil Ray Island, through the dappled shade of Clivedon Reach, passing a cottage of ill repute to the home town of Stanley Spencer, then with good views of Winter Hill on the approach to the Georgian market town of Marlow.

This is the ninth stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". After a diversion, the walk joins the River Thames at peaceful Hurley Lock, then meanders through water meadows and a deer park, passes a popular traditional pub and Hambleden Lock before following the course of the world-famous Henley Regatta into the town.

This is the tenth stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". Riverside parkland, a diversion through Chiltern bluebell woods, water meadows, attractive and hospitable Sonning village, a wildlife park and wildflower meadows, the ruins of Reading Abbey and the Forbury Gardens are highlights of this walk.

This is the eleventh stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". A varied walk past Christchurch Bridge, through the Reading Festival site, past Mapledurham Lock alongside the scenic Chiltern Hills, across a toll bridge, through woodland and beside the river again to the spectacular Goring Gap.

This is the twelfth stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". From the picturesque twin villages of Goring and Streatley, this walk passes through water meadows to a riverside pub and on to the historic market town of Wallingford, past the ruins of the royal castle and across Benson weir with its new salmon run.

This is the thirteenth stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". Mainly through riverside meadows and wetlands, this walk passes over the confluence of the River Thames and the River Tame and alongside the distinctive twin chalk hills of Wittenham Clumps to "the quaintest, most old-fashioned inn on the Thames" and past the attractive market town of Abingdon.

This is the fourteenth and final stage of the multi-day route "Railways and Waterways, between Oxford and London". This riverside walk transitions gently from tranquil water meadows past Sandford and Iffley Locks, through a nature reserve, into the bustling outskirts of Oxford, where the boathouses of the various Oxford Colleges are evidence of the strong rowing culture of the city.