Goring on Thames, Chilterns walks

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 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.

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 stage is one of the most strenuous on the route with a particularly steep climb up Streatley Hill towards the end. The view from the top, however, is well worth the effort. The end of the section is quite demanding with a very steep pull up the hill at Streatley. Along the way, you will be able to enjoy : canal boats, country churchyard, wolves, how Tutts Clump got its name, blue pools and watercress beds, bluebells, lambs, ancient earthworks, rare chalk and downland with impressive views.

This circular long distance path has access points that are easily reached by train from London, Reading and adjoining stations. If time is limited it can be walked in sections at weekends and bank holidays with one or two overnight stops. The walk passes through a variety of beautiful countryside including river valleys, chalk downland, coniferous forests, rare heath, and beech woods that are carpeted with bluebells in spring.

A lovely stile-free walk from Goring on the east of the Thames. Walk from the village out into the wooded areas to the east.