Henley-on-Thames circular via Remenham and Hambleden Lock

This circular route (Route 2) starts from Henley-on-Thames. You walk along the Thames via Remenham and Hambleden Lock before going up the hill to get a great view of the crops. Apart from a short climb mid-way through, it is easy walking for the rest of the route.
⚠️ During the Henley Regatta a section of the Thames Path is closed and there is a signposted diversion route.

Technical sheet

5018969
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.12 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 25 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 26 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 65 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 27 m

Photos

Description de la randonnée

Start : Henley-on-Thames Town Hall (RG9 2AQ‍) Grid ref. SU 759 826

(S/E) Leave the Town Hall and walk down Market Place towards the traffic lights. At the intersection with Duke Street cross straight over into Hart Street and carry on walking pass St Mary the Virgin Church and, on the opposite side of the road, Speaker’s House.

(1) At the traffic lights, cross the road and walk over the bridge, keeping to the left hand side of the road. Once you have crossed the bridge, turn left into the entrance to the Leander Club and almost immediately bear left into a short alley way* leading to the Thames path in front of the Leander Club. (*NB During the Henley Regatta this section of the Thames Path is closed and there is a signposted diversion route around the rear of the Regatta site.) Follow the Thames Path for 4.5 Km passing Remenham, Temple Island, and Hambleden Lock until you reach Aston Ferry Lane.

(2) Turn right and walk up the lane to arrive at the Flower Pot pub, a good place to stop and have a refreshing drink and/or a meal. Turn right outside the front of the pub and walk up Remenham Lane in a westerly direction for just under 200m.

(3) Then take the footpath to the left, either going over the stile or manoeuvring round the end of the field gate. Walk up the hill and follow the path keeping to the left of the field, through a narrow strip of woodland to the top.

(4) At a T junction of paths, turn right onto the other footpath and follow this path across the top of the hill for just over half a mile with fine views looking over the Thames and Hambleden valley. You will eventually arrive at Remenham Church Lane. If the field gate is closed and locked, you will have to use the stile, turn left here and walk along the lane for about 250m until a footpath is reached going off to the right, signed Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop.

(5) Take this path and proceed in a diagonally left direction across the field to woodland. Continue straight ahead walking through the wood, then go over a stile at the end. Walk across a sloped meadow towards the fence line and woodland following the path that leads straight ahead and slightly to the right. (NB There might be a temporary gate here.) Continue straight ahead through the woodland until another stile is reached; go over it taking care as there is a sharp drop to the right. You have entered Wilminster Park, notice the small dog’s grave on the right. Walk diagonally across the meadow to cross another stile before reaching a gate to Remenham Lane.

(6) Cross the lane to a gap in the hedge to the path leading to the rear of the Leander Club. Walk pass the building and when you reach the main road, turn right and walk across the bridge towards the Red Lion Hotel. At the junction cross over into Hart Street and retrace your steps back to the Town Hall. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 43 m - Town Hall
  2. 1 : km 0.37 - alt. 36 m - Traffic lights
  3. 2 : km 5.06 - alt. 31 m - Aston Ferry Lane
  4. 3 : km 5.63 - alt. 40 m - Footpath
  5. 4 : km 5.88 - alt. 65 m - T-junction
  6. 5 : km 7 - alt. 62 m - Path
  7. 6 : km 8.39 - alt. 34 m - Remenham Lane
  8. S/E : km 9.12 - alt. 43 m - Town Hall

Practical information

In the nearby area

St. Mary’s the Virgin Church is basically a 13th century building, but was enlarged and remodelled in the 15th century and again in the 19th century, so the building history is hard to decipher. The 13th century church consisted of a sanctuary (chancel), nave, aisles and probably transepts. Externally there is no remnant of this church and the Early English style of the west doorway is, in fact, Victorian.

The Speaker’s House in Hart Street is said to the birthplace of William Lenthall. He was the Speaker of the House of Commons during 1640 – 1653 (the Long Parliament) and openly defied the King but was later pardoned.

The world famous Leander Club, founded in 1818, is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world, and the oldest non-academic club. It has many famous Olympians amongst its membership.

Temple Island was constructed and designed as a fishing lodge for Fawley Court by Architect James Watt in 1771. The Island is now owned by Henley Royal Regatta and is the starting point of the 1.25 mile Regatta course.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Delphinium
Delphinium ★

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 14/05/23
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Thank you for sharing this walk. It was a lovely walk that I did in reverse on a sunny day. I found a free car park at Aston and started at waypoint 2. I really enjoyed the views from the hill, the bluebells, the green fields, and walking along the Thames.

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