Goring and Lardon Chase Circular

Start : Goring & Streatley Railway Station (RG8 0EP). Grid ref. SU 602 806

(S/E) Leave Goring Station from platform one and keep ahead across side roads. Pass the Catherine Wheel and the John Barleycorn then cross ahead into Ferry Lane.

(1) Go through a picnic area to reach the towpath along the River Thames (A).

(2) Turn right along the towpath then right again just before the bridge. Turn left up steps to the road, cross to the pavement.

(3) Turn left over the bridge. After the Swan Hotel cross road again and turn left into Vicarage Lane just before Icknield Cottages.

(4) Reaching the Old Vicarage take the endosed footpath on the right which goes round two fields then up to the road (A329). Turn left along the pavement for about 400 yards.

(5) Then carefully cross to the footpath which goes up some steps then runs parallel to the road through woodland. Go through the swing gate into the Holies, owned by the National Trust. The footpath goes all round the boundary, but you can exercise your 'right to roam' by bearing right around the hillside to join a grassy track leading up the valley.

(6) The public footpath joins the track at a gate, the path getting steeper as it rises above the valley. The Holies was used for motorbike scrambling before being acquired by the National Trust who has restored the original chalk down. Reaching the gate at the top, pause to take in the superb view before entering the woods.

(7) Continue through the second gate at the path junction and follow the path ahead which veers to the left around Common Wood. Further on there is a seat well-placed to enjoy the surroundings. Enter woodland again and follow the path as it dips to a gate then rises again before levelling out.

(8) Reaching the road, cross carefully, ignore the footpath on the left and go through the car park to Lardon Chase, also managed by the National Trust. More fine views open up over the Goring Gap to the Chiltern Hills beyond. Keep along the escarpment with boundary and trees on the left. At the end of the escarpment as the boundary veers to the left.

(9) Bear right down the hill to join a grassy path which descends to a gate. Continue down the drive to a road.

(10) Turn left past the old school house and the old school with the Bull public house on the right. A monk and a nun are buried under the ancient yew tree in the garden, 'slain for misconduct.

(11) Keep ahead at the crossroads and retrace steps across the bridge into Goring. Keep ahead through the village then over the bridge. Turn right for the station.(S/E)

Start : Goring & Streatley Railway Station (RG8 0EP). Grid ref. SU 602 806

Terrain : There is a steepening climb to the top of Streatley Hill and a steep descent from Lardon Chase. Mostly sound underfoot.

Stiles : No stiles.

Find more information and walks at Round Reading Walks website here.

(A) The Icknield Way, thought to be the oldest trade route in England crossed the river here. Prior to the first bridge being built in 1837 there was a ferry. In 1674 the boatman steered too close to the weir, the ferry capsized and 60 people were drowned.