Marlow to Henley, around Reading

A mainly level walk along the scenic Thames Path then rising to overlook the famous regatta course before descending to the much-photographed river bridge and church in Henley-on-Thames.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Around Reading

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.85 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 31 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 27 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 62 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 28 m

Description de la randonnée

Start : Marlow Railway Station (SL7 1NT) Grid ref. SU 855 865

(S) From the station, leave Station Approach to the right of the Marlow Donkey pub and follow signs to the town centre along Station Road. On the right just before the High St is 18th Century Marlow Place, home to George 11 When he was Prince of Wales.

(1) Turn left into High Street and cross the road at the bollards. Continue ahead across William Tierney Clark’s fine suspension bridge (A).

(2) Take the right fork to Bisham, go through the village.

(3) Keep straight on into Temple Lane at the road junction. There is no footpath so be aware of traffic, especially on the corners. Keep following Temple Lane as it bears right then left along the River Thames.

(4) At the junction with Bradenham lane, keep ahead on the footpath.

(5) After 800 m, at the footpath junction turn right to rejoin Thames Path just past the defunct Temple Bridge.

(6) Turn left along the riverbank to Hurley Lock.

(7) The path crosses the lock cut to the island and re-crosses to the towpath at Hurley. Here there are the ruins of a Benedictine Priory, a church and two pubs, the Rising Sun and the Olde Bell Inn.

(8) To continue the walk, follow the Thames Path along the riverbank for about two miles before passing through iron gates into Culham Court deer park.

(9) Bear right and follow the path across the park.

(10) Leave the deer park through a second iron gate and continue on a drive to Aston Road. The Flower Pot Inn is on the right down the road.

(11) Turn left up the road and soon turn right on the rising footpath at the back of houses. The path becomes a track between trees, then the countryside opens out.

(12) On reaching a lane turn left and at oak tree bear right on the footpath across the field, now on the Chiltern Way.

(13) Cross a track and go into the wood on the winding path (bluebells in season).

(14) Emerging from the wood keep in the same direction to join the lower path which gradually descends through trees. At the wood edge note the plaque to “the little dog with a big heart”.

(15) Bear slightly right across the field to hedge at the corner then head for the swing gate to the road at the field boundary.

(16) Turn left and right at the main road (A4130) to enter the famous regatta town of Henley-on-Thames.

(17) At the traffic lights turn left across the road and continue along the Thameside for the station. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 31 m - Marlow Railway Station
  2. 1 : km 0.64 - alt. 32 m - High Street - Higginson Park
  3. 2 : km 1.03 - alt. 29 m - Fork
  4. 3 : km 2.26 - alt. 30 m - Temple Lane
  5. 4 : km 3.36 - alt. 31 m - River Thames
  6. 5 : km 4.27 - alt. 29 m - Footpath junction
  7. 6 : km 4.46 - alt. 35 m - Riverbank - Hurley Lock
  8. 7 : km 4.98 - alt. 29 m - Hurley Lock
  9. 8 : km 5.4 - alt. 32 m - Thames Path
  10. 9 : km 8.99 - alt. 32 m - Culham Court deer park
  11. 10 : km 9.34 - alt. 36 m - Leave the deer park
  12. 11 : km 10.25 - alt. 46 m - Road
  13. 12 : km 11.47 - alt. 58 m - Lane
  14. 13 : km 12.2 - alt. 58 m - Path junction - Wood
  15. 14 : km 12.74 - alt. 41 m - Field
  16. 15 : km 12.93 - alt. 33 m - Across the field
  17. 16 : km 13.08 - alt. 34 m - Main road (A4130)
  18. 17 : km 13.43 - alt. 36 m - Traffic lights
  19. E : km 13.85 - alt. 35 m - Henley-on-Thames Railway Station

Practical information

Start : Marlow Railway Station (SL7 1NT) Grid ref. SU 855 865

Maps : Maps OS Explorer 170 & 171

Note : In 2023 Temple Bridge has been closed because of safety concerns and the Thames Path has been diverted through Bisham and along Temple Lane. Follow as indicated on this walk.

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

In the nearby area

(C) William Tierney Clark’s fine suspension bridge, built in 1832 and the only one still standing. The famous one linking Buda and Pest was destroyed in the war and the one at Westminster has been replaced.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.