Henley and Aston Circular, along the Thames

Start : Henley on Thames Railway station (RG9 1AY) Grid ref. SU 763 822

(S/E) From the station turn right past the public conveniences. Turn right at the road junction to reach the river. Turn left along the walkway and pass the Angel.

(1) Keep ahead across the traffic lights then turn right over the bridge. Pass the entrance to the Leander Club before turning left into Remenham Lane just before the Little Angel.

(2) After the cricket ground turn right through the swing gate. When the gravel path veers to the left, keep ahead over a stile. Bear left across the field and cross a stile to enter wood on a rising path, then traverse along the shady terrace to emerge from trees at a path junction.

(3) Take the right fork up the hill which leads to a stile at the entrance to Remenham Wood. Follow the winding path between the trees where there are bluebells in season. Bear slightly right across the track at the end of the wood through the middle of the field on a rising path. There are good views over the regatta course to the Chiltern Hills beyond.

(4) On reaching the road to the left of a solitary oak tree, turn left down the hill. At the gate, turn right over the stile and keep ahead. The path now traverses the hillside for nearly three quarters of a mile.

(5) Before reaching the gate, turn left on a permitted path which descends through the trees, then with open views. At the road turn right to Aston Village.

(6) Before reaching the Flowerpot turn left on surfaced footpath past the car park. This joins the Thames Path by the river which soon reaches picturesque Hambleden lock and weir. (A)

(7) Soon a footpath on the left leads to the little hamlet of Remenham (B).

(8) Continue on the Thames Path as it leaves the river and passes the Leander Club (C).

(1) At the road turn right across the bridge and retrace the steps to the station. (S/E)

Start : Henley on Thames Railway station (RG9 1AY) Grid ref. SU 763 822

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

(A) Across the water a little further on is the Greenlands Estate with its splendid mature trees. Now Henley Business School, part of Reading University, it once was owned by the Smith family, founders of W H Smith. The next point of interest is Temple Island, the start of the 1 mile 550yrd long regatta course. Since 1839 crews from all over the world have been competing for supremacy here.

(B) The church is mentioned in the Doomsday Book although none of the original building survives. Once a flourishing community, most of the population of Remenham was wiped out in the plague of 1664.

(C) Founded in 1818 this is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world and boasts many Olympic and World Champions as members.