View to All Saints Church, Bisham from the Thames Path

Start & Finish: Higginson Park, High Street, Marlow, SL7 1AW
Alternative Start & Finish: Marlow Railway Station, Station Approach, Marlow, SL1 1AN
Distance: 8.8 km (5.5 miles) or an additional 1.5 km if starting from the Railway Station
Elevation change: +/- 37m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Marlow High Street, also the café in Higginson Park and the Bull Inn, Bisham
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Marlow, Marlow Bridge, Hurley, Temple Mill Island, Bisham, Bisham Abbey

This is a scenic and very easily navigable loop of the Thames from Marlow, picking up where the Marlow Donkey route leaves off. If you’re arriving by car there’s a large car-park at Higginson Park. If you’re coming by train the walk to and from Marlow station adds an extra 1.5 km to the total route distance. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From Higginson’s park take the Thames Path south for 3.5 km to Hurley Lock. This is a very busy part of the National Trail and you’ll soon see why. Just after Hurley Lock, cross a small wooden footbridge and down an alley into Hurley Village Centre. Depending on the time of year you can get refreshments either at Hurley Lock or in a small shop in Hurley village.

From Hurley, take a left onto Mill Lane, now heading east parallel to the Thames. You’ll pass through a static caravan park, then fields and eventually Temple Lane. Follow Temple Lane as it snakes around Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre and joins Bisham Road. This is a busy section of the route as this is one of the main car routes into Marlow. It’s safe enough with a good pavement, just a little less peaceful than the rest of the route. Soon you’ll get back to the Marlow Suspension Bridge with Higginson Park on the north side.