Shiplake and Binfield Heath Circular

Start : Lower Shiplake Railway Station (RG9 3NY) Grid ref. SU 776 797

(S/E) From the station, turn left past the Baskerville and the village shop and bear right to enter
Northfield avenue. At the end go through a swing gate on the fenced footpath between two fields.

(1) Carefully cross the A4155 and continue ahead along trad. At the top of the rise cross lane, now on
the surfaced bridleway. Continue ahead then to the right past Upper Bolney house.

(2) At the paths junction keep left into High Wood and take the left fork at the next junction. There are bluebells here in spring.

(3) Leave the wood and cross the field into a copse on the descending path. Climb the hillside opposite with the hedge on the left. Soon after the field boundary the path veers half right with good retrospective views from the top of the hill. Keep ahead on the endosed footpath and cross the track and a minor road to reach the village shop at Binfield Heath.

(4) With a shop on the right go along the road for a short distance then turn left into Fosters Lane. At the end continue on the permissive path along the field boundary with a wood on the left.

(5) At the junction with a public footpath turn left into Shiplake Copse, also carpeted with bluebells in spring. At the end of the wood climb the hill with a boundary on the left and open views to the right.

(6) Keep ahead across the boundary and bye-way and along a path across the field. Bear right at path junction and turn right along next field boundary. Turn left where a sign indicates and continue along the field edge to a farm entrance and road.

(7) Turn right through Shiplake village and carefully cross the main road by the defunct Plowden Arms into Church Lane. Pass the church and keep right on descending bridleway.

(8) Turn left at the junction and join the Thames Path after crossing the grass by the Shiplake College boathouse. Follow the Thames Path to Shiplake Lock.

(9) Then turn left through gate. Reaching the road turn right for a few paces.

(10) Then take the footpath, left, leaving the Thames Path. Go up the steps to the lane and turn left across Lash Brook.

(11) Turn right along the residential road and, if not requiring refreshment at the Baskerville.

(12) Turn right along Toast Lane which leads to the station platform.(S/E)

Start : Lower Shiplake Railway Station (RG9 3NY) Grid ref. SU 776 797

Terrain : No stiles and moderate slopes.

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