Henley on Thames – Sat 16 Sept

Trains as per programme: London Paddington 09.08, change at Twyford for train departing 09.45 to Henley on Thames, arriving H.o.T. 09.57. [NB: please board train at Paddington nearer the front of the train as we have only a short window to go up and across the bridge and down to the platform for the H.o.T train]

The walk, approx 8.5 miles: This was originally Peter’s ramble and he was happy for me to take it on. The terrain is not difficult but there’ll be an elongated uphill before lunch and a short uphill after lunch. During the morning we’ll be crossing a large weir at Mill End. In the afternoon we’ll go up into Ridge Wood before dropping down to walk parallel to the River Thames. We’ll have to negotiate several narrow wood bridges over ditches but they are safe.

Back at Henley there’re opportunities for a tea/ice cream stop if wanted. Trains from Henley back to Twyford run half hourly (i.e. on the hour and half past).

Lunch: In Hambleden village – Stag & Huntsman pub (also a hotel). Anyone wishing to eat in the pub, please let me know by Friday, as a table reservation for eating is required. There’s a meadow with several benches for picnic just a couple of minutes from the pub.

You can check out their September sample menu here: https://thestagandhuntsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sept-23.pdf.

Break off possibility: There’re buses No. 800/850 back to H.o.T, although there’s no bus stop close to the village, the first stop is adjacent to Mill End, approx. a mile from the village. Also bus 850 does not stop close to the station but would require a bit of a walk from H.o.T. town. Bus 800 should stop nearer the station.

Happy walking! Sigrid