Start : Bus stop at Sonning Common Post Office (RG4 9SL). Grid ref. SU 707 803
(S) From the Post Office go down Woodlands Rd, passing the Hare and Hounds, into Old Copse.
(1) At the paths junction in the wood bear left, and keep to the main path. Bear right at the junction and follow the arrows on the trees and footpath markers to reach Gallowstree Road.
(2) Cross to the track opposite. At the copse, turn left on the bridleway, keeping to the inner edge of the trees. Continue in the same direction until after the houses on the left at Gallowstree Common.
(3) At the path junction by the road turn left for the Reformation Pub, or right through the gap in the fence to continue the walk. Immediately take the left fork and follow the wood edge round to the right. At the boundary
turn left still inside the wood to reach the road.
(4) Go through the gate opposite on the footpath in Withy Copse. At the path junction bear left and follow the arrows on the trees, passing a signpost to Cane End. Emerge from the copse and bear left through gates on a diverted path through the grounds of the house. Go through the gate to a lane and turn left.
(5) Continue ahead at the crossroads to reach the busy 44074. Carefully cross the main road to the bridleway and turn left through the gate on a footpath through the trees. Keep ahead across the paddock then turn right along the hedge.
(6) Continue along the wood edge then turn right on track into woodland. When the track veers to the left keep ahead on a fenced path with the field on the left. Bear left on the main track at a path junction to reach the crossing track at Nuney Green.
(7) Continue up the lane opposite and turn right into the woods at the bridleway sign. Ignore the wide forest track straight ahead but bear left, following the arrows on the trees on a path that dips and climbs to the road.
(8) Turn left and pass the house called King Charles Head, alas, no longer a pub. Turn right onto the public footpath sion-posted Path Hill (Hidden in the trees). Keep ahead along the wood edge and at the crossing track enter an avenue of fruit trees. At the end of trees where paths diverge, bear left on a descending track.
(9) Soon turn right on the footpath between farm buildings. Go through gates then across the corner of the field to the gate into the wood. After emerging from the trees, make for the gate at the right-hand corner of the wood at the bottom of the hill. From here the path veers slightly away from the wood edge and climbs
steeply to the gate on the skyline. Cross the field ahead into the lane.
For a shorter route go straight across on track past the Outdoor Centre then the footpath to the lane to Whitchurch at the bottom of the hill.
(10) For the high-level route turn right along the lane to the junction with Path Hill. Turn left, now on the Chiltern Way.
(11) Soon turn right on the footpath to Whitchurch Hill. Here there are good views across the valley.
(12) At the crossing track, turn left downhill for a short distance and turn right through the gate. Keep ahead on the wide track. New hedges will soon obscure the far-reaching views to the left. At the path junction continue along the drive leading to Butler's Farm.
(13) Before the "private" sign bear left through the gate on the footpath across the field to lane. Cross lane and
playing field in the same direction to reach the road (B471).
(14) Turn right past the church then carefully cross the road to the track at Beech Farm. Pass the farm drive
and before the swing gate at the edge of the wood turn left, leaving the Chiltern Way. Cross the farm drive at the footpath sign and continue through swing gates to the fenced track. Keep in the same direction down the hill with Stoneycroft Plantation on the right. Reach the road into the village of Whitchurch just above the war memorial.
(15) Cross to the path on the verge and go down the hill through the village with many interesting older properties and two hostelries.
(16) At the second Thames Path sign there is the option of turning right to pass through the churchyard of St Mary's. The church dates from Norman times but was mostly rebuilt in the 19th century.
(17) Join the road again at the toll bridge across the Thames. Tolls have been taken here since the reign of Edward III. The bridge is a good place to look back at the picturesque Whitchurch Mill and the surrounding cottages. Continue along the road past the surgery.
(18) Turn right on the footpath to the station. At the confluence of the little River Pang with the Thames there is a good view of the weir at a seated area. Cross the busy 4329 with care into Pangbourne station forecourt (A). (E)