Goring – Great Chalk Wood Circular

Start : Goring & Streatley railway station. Postcode: RG8 0EP Grid ref: SU 602 806

(S/E) From Goring & Streatley railway station platform turn left over the bridge to the exit and cross into Station Road. Keep ahead past the Catherine Wheel and the John Barlycorn.

(1) Cross into Ferry Lane, passing the Roman Catholic church.

(2) After a small green with benches turn left along the towpath of the River Thames. Follow the Thames Path along the riverside for about a mile, passing through Little Meadow Nature Reserve and under one of Brunel's fine railway bridges.

(3) At Ferry Cottage the path turns left. At junction turn right on Thames Path.

(4) On reaching the wooded area at the path junction leave the Thames Path and turn left steeply uphill into Hartslock Nature Reserve. Continue uphill to a seat with a good view over the river valley.

(5) A little further on a gate on the right gives access further up the chalk hillside where there are many rare plants and an even better view. Back on route descend to gate and turn right on bye-way, passing a gate on the
left leading to open access land.

(6) At the top of the hill our route joins the Chiltern Way. Turn left and keep left on surfaced bridleway (a private road) with far-reaching views over to the Goring Gap. At the corner by the grain store turn right on the footpath and soon enter Great Chalk Wood. There are foxgloves here in season. Continue on the Chiltern Way track through the wood to the far end.

(7) Still inside the wood, turn sharp left on the bridleway.

(8) At the next paths junction bear left and keep on the Chiltern Way. As the path descends to the edge of the wood there is another area of open access land on the left. Keep to the field boundary up the hill.

(9) Follow the path to the left along the ridge with the cemetery on the right. Continue as path descends to gap in the hedge.

(10) Bear right diagonally across the playing field to a gate leading to spadous housing development. Follow the residential road round to meet the B4526.

(11) Turn left along the pavement and at junction turn left again for the station.(S/E)

Start : Goring & Streatley railway station. Postcode: RG8 0EP Grid ref: SU 602 806

Terrain : Two short, steep climbs and a longer one, less steep to the top of the escarpment. The path in the wood may be muddy in places.

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