Chiltern Walks: Little Chalfont & Latimer
Fields near Flaunden Grove

Fields near Flaunden Grove

Start & Finish: Chalfont and Latimer Station, Station Approach, Little Chalfont, HP6 6RZ
Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 140m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Chiltern Heritage Trail, Chess Valley Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Cycleway, Harding Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Little Chalfont village centre on the A404
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Little Chalfont, Chalfont And Latimer Station, River Chess, Chenies, Latimer

This walk was both part of our River Chess Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Chess runs from its source at Pednor, near Chesham, to Rickmansworth where it joins the Colne. The Chess Valley Walk is a point-to-point trail along the course of the river from Chesham to Rickmansworth stations. We chose Chalfont and Latimer station as the start and end for this circular walk. 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.

A shorter version of this walk can be made by cutting off the Flaunden Grove section by continuing along the Chess Valley Walk at around kilometre 5. This removes about 2km from the walk and a chunk of elevation.

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, England, Railway, UndergroundComment
Walking The London Loop: Cranford Park to Bushy Park
The Pheasantry at Bushy Park

The Pheasantry at Bushy Park

Start: Car Park at Cranford Park, London, TW5 9RZ
Finish: Bushy Park car park, near Diana Fountain, Hampton Wick, Molesey, East Molesey, KT8 9BZ
Distance: 17.5k (10.9 miles)
Elevation change: +60m / -79m. Net -19m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hillingdon Trail, River Crane Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Pheasantry, Bushy Park (TW11 0EW)
Map: OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford
and OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Guidebook: The London Loop: Recreational Path Guide
Links: London Loop, River Crane, Cranford Park, Hounslow Heath, Bushy Park

For this walk we picked up the London Loop where we finished the Hillingdon Trail at Cranford Park. Up to this point we had covered the Loop all the way from South Oxhey on a combination of several other routes through the Colne Valley. This section is simple if you do a 2-car combo like we did, but a bit more difficult if relying on public transport. We were able to use the free car parks in both Cranford Park and Bushy Park. For a public transport variant you can start at the south end of Cranford Park where there’s a bus service to Bushy.

Once out of Cranford Park, the route gets busier, noisier and less pleasant for a while as you navigate around the east side of Heathrow Airport. When you reach the A30 at the south-east corner of the airport, the route takes you on a long diversion east up to The Parkway. This is the safer option than the much more direct crossing of the dual carriageway. We were there on a quiet Sunday morning and chose to cross the A30 instead. Be very careful if you do this too.

Once out of Heathrow the route meanders south east following the River Crane. Quiet, pleasant parkland of Hounslow Heath and Crane Park are interspersed with west-London residential streets. Eventually you’ll reach Bushy Park where it all gets very pleasant again. The route takes you along the Longford River and through the Woodland Gardens to our finishing spot at the car park next to the Diana Fountains.

Next sections of the London Loop:

Richard gowerTrek, Middlesex, London, EnglandComment
County Top Parent Peaks

In my ever-deepening County-Top related geekery I decided that I needed to document the Parent Peaks of every UK County Top. Many are easily findable with a bit of Googling, others are harder to come by. I’ve used the following sources in priority order:

  • Hillbagging (the online version of the Database of British and Irish Hills)

  • Peakbagger: if the Parent Peak is shown there but not in Hillbagging

  • Wikipedia: If the Parent Peak is shown there but not in either Hillbagging or Peakbagger

  • Peakbagger’s Nearest Highest Neighbour (NHN) field if a Parent Peak is not listed in the above.

Some are disputed and others I’ve had to assume, so here’s my best attempt. Contact me or comment below if you have any corrections and I’ll happily make a donation to one of my causes.

England’s County Top Parent Peaks

Scotland’s County Tops Parent Peaks

Compared to England there’s a lot fewer Parent Peaks listed in my key sources, so the following is largely based on Nearest Higher Neighbours and some assumptions. Likely there will be a lot of corrections to be below.

Wales’ County Tops Parent Peaks

Similar to Scotland, there’s a lot fewer Parent Peaks listed in my key sources, so the following is largely based on Nearest Higher Neighbours and some assumptions. Likely there will be a lot of corrections to be below.

Coming soon: Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland County Top Parent Peaks

UK County Tops on Islands

  • Goat Fell (843m), Arran, Buteshire, Scotland

  • Ward Hill (481m), Hoy, Orkney, Scotland

  • Ronas Hill (450m), Mainland, Shetland

  • Holyhead Mountain (220m), Anglesey, Wales

“A peak’s line parent is the closest higher peak on the highest ridge leading away from the peak’s “key col”. A col is the lowest point on the ridge between two summits and is roughly synonymous with pass, gap, saddle and notch. The highest col of a peak is its key col. If there is more than one ridge which can be followed to a higher peak then the line parent is the peak closest to the key col. Usually, a line parent must meet some prominence criteria, which might vary depending on the author and the location of the peak.”
— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_parent
Richard gowerTrek, UK County Tops, Mountain, Country High Points, Trig Pillar, England, Scotland, WalesComment
Windsor Great Park: Savill Gardens & Virginia Water
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Start & Finish: The Savill Garden Wick Lane, Englefield Green, Egham, TW20 0UJ
Distance: 7.8 km (4.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 66m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: none
Pubs / Cafes on route: Savill Garden Kitchen inside the Visitors’ Centre
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Windsor, Windsor Great Park

This is an easy navigable walk on the southern end of Windsor Great Park. There’s a big car park at Savill Garden which makes it an obvious place to start. An alternative is the Virgina Water Lake Visitor Centre car park on the A30. Both are expensive but free parking is hard to find around there.

From Savill Garden take the south gate from the car park and continue due south for ~1km until you reach the Totem Pole. Virgina Water Lake starts to the south-east of the Totem Pole. Cross the footbridge and stay on the lake-side path continuing clockwise to the Blacknest corner in the south-west end of the park. Continue clock-wise, crossing Five Arch Bridge, now heading north-east. Cross the bridge the connects Johnson’s Pond to Virgina Water onto High Flyer’s Hill. Be careful here to stay on the north-east track rather than the road heading north into Guards Polo Club. Eventually you’ll reach Rhododendron Drive, connecting with the east side of Obelisk Pond and back to Savill Garden.

Richard gowerTrek, Windsor, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Whernside: North Yorkshire County Top
Ribblehead Viaduct with Whernside on the right

Ribblehead Viaduct with Whernside on the right

Significance: Highest peak in North Yorkshire (Present-Day CT), the historic West Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire Dales National Park
Member of: Marilyn, Hewitt, Hardy, Nuttall
Parent Peak: Cross Fell. NHN = Harter Fell
Historic County: Yorkshire (of which Mickle Fell is the County Top)
Elevation: 736m
Date climbed: October 4th 2020
Coordinates: 54°13′40″N 2°24′12″W 
Route Start / End: Ribblehead Viaduct Car Park, Blea Moor Road, Carnforth, LA6 3AS
Route Distance: 12.7 km (7.9 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 433m
Subsidiary tops on route: none
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Dales High Way, Three Peaks Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): none
OS Trig Pillar: TP0702 - Little Whernside
Map: OS Explorer Map OL2 Yorkshire Dales South & Western
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (North Yorkshire), Wikipedia (Whernside), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Given that Whernside is both a Present-Day County Top and features in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge it was surprising that I hadn’t already ticked it off. Sometime over the last couple of years I’d lost interest in the Three Peaks and decided that I’d rather tick them off individually. Whernside’s time came this year as it was an obvious peak to bag to break up the long drive home from Mickle Fell.

Unlike the drenching that we got on Mickle Fell the previous day, we had perfect Autumn conditions for Whernside. It was dry, sunny, chilly (but not too much) and visibility was great. The walk even starts with one of its main highlights: an approach to the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct. We had originally planned to keep to the path on the eastern side of the viaduct then cut through the underpass to join the Dales High Way heading west. When we found ourselves standing right under one of the arches to get a closer look, we decided to continue heading west through the viaduct and take the footpath through the farm to connect to the High Way.

After the farm the route gets steep. The waitress in the pub the night before had warned us that this approach would be tough and slippery. We imagined something like a damp Striding Edge but it turned out not to be so bad at all. The slabs had also dried out completely so there was nothing slippery at all.

Once on the ridge-line the route is pretty simple and, with the views we had that day, quite breath-taking. The summit was pretty crowded when we got there. Partly it was the normal weekend day-walkers and we hit it at the same time as a lot of runners on their own Three Peaks Challenge. This was also the day of the Virtual London Marathon and there was a fair few marathoners that decided to do the 3 Peaks as their own London Marathon Route.

The descent was steady and interesting. Once down from the steeper sections the path curves back towards the viaduct and crosses over both Little Dale Beck and the rail line as it emerges from the Blea Moor Tunnel. The final section gives you another change to admire the Viaduct before returning to the car park.

Richard gowerTrek, UK County Tops, Mountain, Trig Pillar, York, Yorkshire Dales, National Park, England, RailwayComment
North-East England County Tops
View from Burnhope Seat summit to the Trig Pillar

View from Burnhope Seat summit to the Trig Pillar

We had the dates for this in the diary for most of the year, even before Covid-19 became the thing that defined 2020. When the Lockdown came in March we we glad we had booked it in for later in the year and had assumed that the virus would have blown over by then. By mid-Summer things were relaxing and it was looking like there wouldn’t be a problem for the trip at all. September came, cases started rising again and the North-East was right in the centre of a local Lockdown. The rules were especially ambiguous and it was only the day before the trip that we decided that we would still be able to go. So, without breaking any rules and keeping as safe as possible, 3 of us headed North to complete the North-East County Tops.

As it turned out Covid had a very minimal impact on the plan. Our YHA for the first 2 nights was in Northumberland and had strict procedures. Rather than sharing one big room as per our usual trips, we had to have a room each under separate bookings. Breakfast was strictly one person per table, but given my lack of interest in talking to anyone 1st thing in the morning, it wasn’t a major inconvenience. Other than that we were out in the hills all day and the rare instances of coming in contact with others were few and far between and at quite a distance.

Being able to complete these 3, and by extension my completion of all of England’s County Tops, was a major win for me for 2020. Most other plans had been cancelled or postponed until 2021, so keeping this felt like a big achievement.

Burnhope Seat

Significance: Highest peak in County Durham (Historic CT)
Member of: Hewitt, Marilyn, Nuttall
Parent Peak: Cross Fell. NHN = Meldon Fell
Elevation: 747m
Date climbed: October 1st 2020
Coordinates: 54.7331° N, 2.3369° W
Route Start / End: 2-car layby on B6277 north of kink in road over stream bridge, south of Yad Moss ski area
Route Distance: 3.1 km (1.9 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 160m
Subsidiary tops on route: none
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: none
OS Trig Pillar: TP1783 - Burnhope Seat
Map: OS Explorer Map (307) Consett and Derwent Reservoir
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (County Durham), Wikipedia (Burnhope Seat), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Burnhope Seat and Mickle Fell are a short car journey apart and can be easily done in a single day with fair weather. We had a long drive from the south which took up much of our first day so we used this short walk as a break in the journey.

Jonny Muir’s County Top guide suggests a parking space on the B6277 at NY 7754 3640 but we found a more convenient one a bit further north on the same road. The layby in the book is quite small and at a steep angle from the road so we gave it a miss. From the larger layby near the stream bridge you can cross over a wooden gate on the opposite side. From here follow the left hand side of the stream, passing the ruins of an old building and use the GPS to keep you on-track for the high point. From the un-marked summit you can see the Trig Pillar to the east along the fence.

The Cheviot

Significance: Highest peak in Northumberland (Historic CT) and Northumberland National Park High Point
Member of: Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall
Parent Peak: Broad Law. NHN = Dollar Law
Elevation: 815m
Date climbed: October 2nd 2020
Coordinates: 55°28′42″N 2°08′44″W 
OS Trig Pillar: TP2152 - Cheviot
Links Wikipedia (Northumberland), Wikipedia (The Cheviot), Wikipedia (Northumberland National Park), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Hangingstone Hill

Also Known As: Cairn Hill West Top
Significance: Highest peak in Roxburghshire, Scotland (Historic CT)
Member of: n/a
Parent Peak: Cairn Hill. NHN = The Cheviot
Elevation: 743m
Date climbed: October 2nd 2020
Coordinates: 55° 28' 3'' N, 2° 9' 59'' W
Links: Wikipedia (Roxburghshire), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Route Start / End: parking area off small road to Langleeford, accessed from A697 via Middleton Hall
Route Distance: 15.3 km (9.5 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 620m
Subsidiary tops on route: Scald Hill (548m), Cairn Hill (777m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Pennine Way
Other routes touched (cycle): none
Map: OS Explorer OL16 The Cheviot Hills, Jedburgh & Wooler
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)

This walk was the longest and most rewarding of the 3 especially as it's a circuit rather than an out-and-back like the others. If you’re using Jonny Muir’s guide this is a combination of the separate routes for The Cheviot and for Hangingstone Hill. It’s pretty obvious to do them both in the same walk so I’ve got no idea why they’re separated in the book. Both use the same start and end point and each trip is a return for the other.

We took an anti-clockwise approach taking in The Cheviot first via Scald Hill. Continuing south-west along the Pennine Way from The Cheviot you’ll soon get to the summit of Cairn Hill. From here there’s a short out-and-back section to the Scottish border to reach Hangingstone Hill (aka Cairn HIll West Top). There’s little to see here and bagging the top just involves a quick crossing of the gate to a slightly higher piece of moss.

From Hangingstone Hill retrace your steps back up to Cairn Hill summit and follow the path sign-posted to Windy Gale. After a short steep section keeping a fence to your right you’ll reach a footpath junction. Take the east (left) path signed to Langleeford Hope (2¼) and Langleeford (3½). This path will take you all the way back to the start following Harthope Burn (stream).

Mickle Fell

Significance: Highest peak in Yorkshire (Historic CT) and the historic North Riding of Yorkshire
Member of: Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall
Parent Peak: Cross Fell. NHN = Knock Fell
Elevation: 788m
Date climbed: October 3rd 2020
Coordinates: 54°36′48″N 2°18′18″W
Route Start / End: Parking spot on B6276 to west of cattle grid between the Cumbria and County Durham county signs.
Route Distance: 17.2 km (10.7 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 505m
Subsidiary tops on route: none
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: none
OS Trig Pillar: TP4789 - Mickle Fell
Map: OS Explorer OL19 Howgill Fells Upper Eden Valley Map
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (Yorkshire), Wikipedia (North Riding of Yorkshire), Wikipedia (Mickle Fell) / Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Mickle Fell is on a military firing range which is only open to the public on a few select days per year. You can apply for a permit to access the land from MOD Warcop. Based on our experience I recommend starting the application process early. It took over 3 months for me to get the permit from sending the application letter. There’s nothing complicated about the process, it’s just slow. With the permit secured the other thing that you need to do is call the control room number on the permit as you start the walk and again when you finish. We didn’t have phone signal at all on the walk so we were glad to have made the call in the car 10 minutes before arriving at the parking space.

The parking space is easy to find as it’s right next to the Welcome to Cumbria sign. From here cross the road and over a wire fence to access the hill. Strangely there’s no gate or stile even though this is the recommended approach. You can see where others have climbed through or over the fence though.

Much of the walk is very easy to navigate, even on a low-visibility day like we had. Follow the boundary fence, keeping it to your left all the way up to the summit plateau. A lot of the route is boggy underfoot and you’ll need to navigate around streams, loose peat and marsh-land. We were there on an especially wet day and it was all we could do to keep our feet dry.

There’s a steep climb up to the summit plateau where you’ll cross a fence via a stile and can pick up some Land Rover tracks. Keep to these heading on an easterly curve and they’ll lead you to the summit cairn and the Trig Pillar.

We were there on one of the wettest days possible. If the route was closer to home and we didn’t need a permit we might have delayed it for another day, but we had little option but to press on. The only other person we met on the approach had reached the summit but hadn’t bothered with the extra ~2km to the Trig Pillar. I could see how tempting it would have been on a day like that to have missed it. Given our Trig-obsession we weren’t going to miss it though and took the extra hour to bag the pillar.

The descent was much quicker as we had abandoned any attempt to avoid the wet marsh and mostly walked straight through it. At 5.5 hours of driving rain we arrived at the car as wet as if we had swum to the summit. It was challenging but it also meant that I had now completed all County Tops in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Now for the rest of Scotland…

OTHER HIGH POINTS IN County Durham

OTHER HIGH POINTS IN Northumberland

  • Westerhope (131m) North Tyneside Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging

  • Camperdown (86m) North Tyneside Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging

OTHER HIGH POINT IN Yorkshire

Richard gowerTrek, UK County Tops, Mountain, Trig Pillar, Northumberland, National Park, County Durham, Roxburghshire, Yorkshire, England, ScotlandComment
Chiltern Challenge Ultra Marathon
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When: September 26th 2020
Start & Finish: The Henley Showground, Marlow Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3AP
Distance: 50 km (31 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 560m
Course: Figure of 8 with a western loop and an eastern loop intersecting at the Henley Showground Basecamp. Mix of Chiltern Way, Oxfordshire Way and Thames Path
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Shakespeare’s Way, Chiltern Way, Oxfordshire Way, The Wokingham Way, Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Finish time: 6 hours 59 minutes
Links: Hambleden, Stonor, Bix Bottom,Middle Assendon, Henley-on-Thames, Bovingdon Green, Marlow, Hurley, Remenham

With most running events having been cancelled due to Covid this yet I’d pretty much written off doing my annual ultra. So, as soon as I saw that this one was on, and it was a local one, I signed up. Also, having not been well (not do to Covid) a few weeks’ before I still wasn’t sure if I was up to ultra fitness. I decided to take it slow and take advantage of the 2-loop course to give me the option of retiring after the first loop.

This was also my first Covid-secure event and the organisation on the day was really impressive. Ultras may be expensive, but this was great value considering the new protocols that had in place. The only down-side for me was that the hand-sanitizer they has was so slippery that my wedding ring slipped off somewhere between the start and the first rest stop. So far it’s not been found which is less than ideal. It sounds like I wasn’t the only participant to lose a ring so I strongly recommend runners on Covid-secure events to leave their rings at home.

Lost rings aside, the event was amazing. I am big fan of the Chilterns and this was a perfect day to do a big run there. It was sunny but not too warm and dry underfoot too. I also liked the combination of woods and hills in the north and the flat sections of the Thames Path to the south.

In the end it was a good test of my fitness as I completed the course in a good time (for me) and without any signs of my sickness a few weeks ago. Fingers crossed the postponed Race to the Castle, my original 2020 ultra pick will be back on in 2021.

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Richard gowerRun, Ultramarathon, Chilterns, Thames, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, EnglandComment
Maidenhead and Cookham Circular Walk via the Thames Path and Greenway
Bridge over Maidenhead Ditch on the Green Way West

Bridge over Maidenhead Ditch on the Green Way West

Start & Finish: Boulters Car Park, 7-15 Lower Cookham Rd, Maidenhead, SL6 8JN
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 28 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Green Way, Thames Path, Maidenhead Boundary Walk, Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 50, Round Berkshire Cycle Route 52
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Ferry (SL6 9SN), and several others on Cookham High Street
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Boulters Lock, Cookham, National Trust Maidenhead and Cookham Commons

This is part of a series of ~10k circular walks that include the Thames Path National Trail at the edge of the Chilterns. This one fits between our recent Marlow Donkey walk and part 1 of the Thames Path and Jubilee River loops.

We started this trip at the Boulter’s Lock car park and headed west through the riverside houses to North Town. Here you can pick up the Green Way West, a north/south path connecting Maidenhead and Cookham. Follow the path for ~3.5km until you meet the Thames Path at Cookham Moor. Take a right here and you can follow the Thames Path all the way back to the start at Boulter’s Lock.

When you get to the Ferry pub the Thames path diverts from the river as the river flows through private land. It’s well sign-posted and you’ll follow Ferry Lane / Sutton Road south for ~300m before taking a left onto Mill Lane which takes you back to the river. This is a lovely, quiet stretch of the Thames Path that gives you views over to the Cliveden estate on the opposite bank.

Richard gowerTrek, Thames, National Trust, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Thames Path & Jubilee River Walk - Eton Wick and Eton
Windsor Castle from The Brocas

Windsor Castle from The Brocas

Start & Finish: Eton Wick Village Hall, Eton Wick Rd, Eton Wick, Windsor SL4 6LT
Distance: 7.9 km (4.9 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 22 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Jubilee River Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4, 461, 61
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several on Eton Wick High Street
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Jubilee River, Eton Wick, Eton, Eton College

The Jubilee River is a man-made channel built in the late 1990s and early 2000s to take overflow from the River Thames to prevent flooding around Maidenhead, Windsor, and Eton. The path along side it passes through wildlife and woodland making a easy, pleasant walk or cycle. It also runs parallel and close to the Thames, allowing for several combinations of short trips that take in both.

This is the third of a series of 4 circular walks of roughly 10 km that take in sections of both the Jubilee River and Thames Path. This one starts at Eton Wick Village Hall and takes in Eton High Street, meeting the 4th and final section.

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The Complete Route: Thames Path & Jubilee River Walks

Left to right: Maidenhead to Datchet in 4 sections. Map base: ESRI Topo via Ride With GPS

Yellow = Maidenhead & Bray, Red = Dorney & Eton Wick, Blue = Eton Wick and Eton, Greet = Eton and Datchet

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Thames, Berkshire, England, WindsorComment
Thames Path & Jubilee River Walk - Dorney and Eton Wick
Jubilee River near Dorney

Jubilee River near Dorney

Start & Finish: Eton Wick Village Hall, Eton Wick Rd, Eton Wick, Windsor SL4 6LT
Distance: 9.9 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 25 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Jubilee River Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 61
Pubs / Cafes on route: N/A but some shops on Eton Wick Road
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Jubilee River, Eton Wick, Dorney Lake, Boveney Lock, St Mary Magdalene's Church, Boveney

The Jubilee River is a man-made channel built in the late 1990s and early 2000s to take overflow from the River Thames to prevent flooding around Maidenhead, Windsor, and Eton. The path along side it passes through wildlife and woodland making a easy, pleasant walk or cycle. It also runs parallel and close to the Thames, allowing for several combinations of short trips that take in both.

This is the second of a series of 4 circular walks of roughly 10 km that take in sections of both the Jubilee River and Thames Path. This one starts at Eton Wick village hall and meets up with section on on Harcourt Road in Dorney Reach.

The Complete Route: Thames Path & Jubilee River Walks

Left to right: Maidenhead to Datchet in 4 sections. Map base: ESRI Topo via Ride With GPS

Yellow = Maidenhead & Bray, Red = Dorney & Eton Wick, Blue = Eton Wick and Eton, Greet = Eton and Datchet

Richard gowerTrek, Thames, Chilterns, Berkshire, Windsor, EnglandComment
Walking The South Bucks Way 8: Chalfont St Peter, Seer Green and Chalfont St Giles
Descent to the Misbourne near Chalfont St Giles

Descent to the Misbourne near Chalfont St Giles

Start & Finish: Chalfont St. Peter Car Park, Church Lane, Chalfont St Peter, SL9 9TW
Distance: 13.1 km (8.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 124 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, South Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Heritage Trail: Milton Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Chalfont St Peter and Chalfont St.Giles, The Jolly Cricketers, Seer Green (4.6km in)
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Chalfont St Peter, Jordans Quaker Meeting Centre, Jordans, Seer Green, Chalfont St Giles, River Misbourne

The South Bucks Way is a 37 km (23-mile) trail that promises a delightful escape for walkers and hikers. This scenic route, often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts, offers a tranquil journey through charming villages, lush countryside, and the gentle murmur of the River Misbourne. This post is part of a series of circular walks featuring the South Bucks Way. The full trail stretches from Coombe Hill near Wendover to the Grand Union Canal at Denham. Our walks take in short sections of the South Bucks Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The South Bucks Way is well sign-posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

From Chalfont St. Peter village centre, walk up Market Place in an westerly direction, then onto Nicol Road and Grove Lane. Take a left off Grove Lane onto a footpath opposite the entrance to Tunmers Lane, continuing in a westerly direction to Welders Lane.

A highlight of this walk is the Quaker Meeting House and Jordan’s village, 3km from the start. Just after you pass Jordan’s YHA at the western end of Welder’s Lane you can cut through the grounds of the Quaker Meeting House. Look out for the grave of William Penn, founder of the US state of Pennsylvania. Round the corner on Jordan’s Lane you’ll find the Mayflower Barn, privately owned and not accessible but visible from the road. According to the sign in the Quaker centre, the barn takes its name from the belief that it contains original beams from the Pilgrim Fathers’ Mayflower ship. Taking Seer Green Lane west off Jordan’s Lane you’ll pass through the pretty village of Jordans.

Pass through Jordans and Seer Green, now following the Chiltern Heritage Trail in a north/north-easterly direction to join the South Bucks Way on the western side of the River Misbourne and the A413 Amersham Road. Take a right onto the South Bucks Way and follow it through Chalfont St Giles back to the start at Chalfont St Peter.

Previous section (north): Walking The South Bucks Way Part 7: Amersham and Coleshill
Next section (south): Walking The South Bucks Way Part 9: Chalfont St Peter to Denham (blog post coming soon)

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Walking The Balatonszárszó Poetry Trail, Hungary

SÉTA A BALATONSZÁRSZÓI Vers UtcÁn

Downtown Balatonszárszó

Downtown Balatonszárszó

Balatonszárszó is a small town on the south side of Lake Balaton in Hungary. It’s my wife’s original home town and her parents still live there so we visit every summer. As well as enjoying the lake there’s a lot of walks in the area. This is one of 2 very short sign-posted walks in the town.

The Poetry Trail opened in 2020 and is a a shorter complement to the Way of Renewal. Like the longer route, this one takes the form of a short walk around the town passing several information signs. There’s also 3 sound boxes on the route where you can hear short recordings of the featured poets.

Unlike the Way of Renewal there’s no English translation available, so unless you have a Hungarian friend you may not get the most of the text. While Google Translate can work out the text it’s still not great with the nuances of Hungarian poetry.

Start: Sign #1 outside József Attila Memorial House, Balatonszárszó, József Attila u. 7 8624
Finish: Sign #8, József Attila Memorial, Balatonszárszó, Csokonai u. 1 8624
Distance: 1 km (0.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 7 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Balatonszárszó megújulás útján (Trail of Renewal)
Other routes touched (cycle): Balaton Cycle Route
Links: Article on balatonszarszo.hu, Lake Balaton, Balatonszárszó

Stop 1: Ars Poetica / Képversek

Location: outside József Attila Memorial House, Balatonszárszó, József Attila u. 7 8624
Poets mentioned: Arany Janos, Josef Attila, Ady Endre, György Rónay, László Gyarmati, László Nagy, Fodor Ákos

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Stop 2: Hangulatok

Location: In Erzsébet Park between Josef Attila u and Kölcsey Ferenc u
Poets mentioned: Dezső Kosztolányi, Jenő Heltai, Ferenc Móra, György Faludy, Sándor Kányádi, Miklós Radnóti, István Csukás, Árpád Tóth

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Stop 3: Extravaganza

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Title in English:
Location: At entrance to Erzsébet Park on Kölcsey Ferenc u.
Poets mentioned:

Stop 4: Szárszó / Idő

Title in English: Szárszó (town name) / Time
Location: Near the Fountain (Szökőkút) at the intersection of Ady Endre u. and Fő u.
Poets mentioned: Árpád Tóth, Aranyosi Ervin, Jenő Dsida, Sándor Márai, István Csukás, Rónay György, József Attila

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Stop 5: Asztali örömök

Title in English: Table pleasures
Location: At entrance to the market on Ady Endre u.
Poets mentioned: Aranyosi Ervin, Sándor Petőfi, Dezső Kosztolányi, József Attila, István Csukás, Ady Endre

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Stop 6: Balaton

Title in English: Balaton
Location: At entrance to Tóparti Park on Mikszáth Kálmán u.
Poets mentioned: Dániel Berzsenyi, András Fodor, János Vajda

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Stop 7: Hetedhét országon is túl

Title in English: Beyond the seventh country
Location: In front of Csukas Theater, Jókai Mór u. 2
Poets mentioned:

Stop 8: Legendás versek

Title in English: Legendary Poems
Location: At eastern entrance to Tóparti Park on Csokonai u.
Poets mentioned:

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Richard gowerTrek, Lake Balaton, HungaryComment
Walking The Tihany Legends Trail, Hungary

Séta a tihanyi legendák ösvényén, Magyarország

View from the northern point of the trail

View from the northern point of the trail

Start & Finish: Benedictine Abbey of Tihany, I. András tér 1, Tihany, 8237
Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / -112 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Visszhang ut (Echo Trail), Levendula ut (Lavender Trail)
Other routes touched (cycle): Balaton Cycle Route
Links: Lake Balaton, TIhany, Tihany Abbey, Balaton Geopark

Tihany is as small village on the Tihany Peninsula that juts out into Lake Balaton in Hungary. We visit there every summer when visiting the lake to see Timea’s parents. From the Benedictine Church in the centre of town you can pick up one of 3 walking trails of varying length. Trail 1, the Echo Trail, is really short and you’ll pretty much have done it by accident if you wander around the main streets in town. This 5k route is a good choice and takes you on a scenic hilly trail to the north of the church. You can pick up a paper map for all 3 trails from the Tourist Information Centre.

Starting from the church, the first part of the route takes you on a small loop of some monuments before heading north to the Echo. Here you’ll find a spot where if you shout loudly you’ll hear an echo bounced seven times off the church and surrounding buildings. Unfortunately there was building work happening when we were there which was absorbing the echos. From here take the winding Garay János Utca down to Tihany Harbour.

From the harbour walk north-west for ~1km, then carefully cross the main road to a small parking area. Here you can take a footpath that rises steeply through the woods back up the hill. Through this wooded part you’ll find Balaton Geopark signs giving information on the area. The most interesting find here are the Monk Cave Dwellings. These are man-made caves (allegedly) built for Russian monks brought from Kiev by the wife of Hungarian King Andras in ~1050. A few are easily and safely accessible from the path.

After the caves, the path continues upwards towards the north west. At the highest point there are outstanding views of the north end of the peninsula. From here the path turns southwards and descends back towards the town and the end-point at the church.

Richard gowerTrek, Lake Balaton, HungaryComment
Walking The Balatonszárszó Trail of Renewal, Hungary

Séta a BalatonszárszóI megújulás útján

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Balatonszárszó is a small town on the south side of Lake Balaton in Hungary. It’s my wife’s original home town and her parents still live there so we visit every summer. As well as enjoying the lake there’s a lot of walks in the area. This is one of 2 very short sign-posted walks in the town.

The Way Of Renewal was established to mark the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. Along the 3.5 km walk you pass by 10 large signs giving descriptions in Hungarian on reformation themes. Each sign has a QR code that takes you to a web-page with an English Translation. These links are also shown below, along with an extract of the first part of the English translation.

Start & Finish: Sign #1 on north-west side of Fő u. near railway crossing, Balatonszárszó
Distance: 3.5 km (2.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 19 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Balatonszárszó Vers Utja (Poetry Trail)
Other routes touched (cycle): Balaton Cycle Route
Links: Way of Renewal, Lake Balaton, Balatonszárszó

Stop 1: The Way of Renewal

Location: North-west side of Fő u. near railway crossing.
Extract: The consequence of human life is being on the move. We always go somewhere. Many times we physically take action, sometimes we are only figuratively on the go in the walk of life. The road is sometimes smooth, but there are also bumpy sections. We may ride miles lonely, but again and again, travel companions join us for shorter and longer times. The goal of this journey is the road itself – this is the year-to-year opinion of the growing number of people who start the pilgrimage. And indeed, the experience of being on the road makes us mature, forms our bodies, souls, and spirits. We can get rid of unnecessary pounds when go out for a walk or a hike; get rid of heavy loads and packs that are painful to carry. We can abandon the unneeded, which hinders our fulfillment, which makes harmony impossible. Instead we may find ourselves refreshed, cleansed and relieved.

Full text at: https://www.megujulasutja.hu/1-en?language=en

Stop 2: Ecclesia semper reformanda

Location: Opposite main entrance to Csukás Színház on Szabolcs u.
From previous sign: Walk North-East on Jókai Mór u. turn left onto Szabolcs u.
Extract: Since members of the Church are imperfect, therefore the Church, unfortunately, is also imperfect. From time to time, the church leaves the path proper living, teaching, and everyday practice. The reformers raised their voices against this in the beginning of the 16th century when they realized that the Bible's guidance and church life were not in harmony with each other. The severe overtones of the church of that time prompted them to focus on the essence – on the One, which only matters in the Church: to God. This has been half a millennium ago, but we still feel its impact and actuality today.

Full text at: https://www.megujulasutja.hu/2-en?language=en

Stop 3: Scripture is available

Location: North side of Móricz Zsigmond u. before Harka u.
From previous sign: Continue north on Szabolcs u then right onto Móricz Zsigmond u
Extract: The first Christians took the mission of Jesus seriously: "Go then, and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The disciples spread the gospel of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to many people. The centuries have passed and the official ecclesiastical language became Latin. Until the middle of the XX. century, Latin was so widespread as English is today, and knowledge of Latin was part of basic education. Before the Reformation, the Bible was only available in Latin - for a few people, as ordinary people did not know Latin. The reformers realized 500 years ago that the ordinary people, the members of the Church did not understand the Latin mass, and they did not have access to the texts of the Scriptures and its explanation for their lives. Luther and his followers wanted to make the Bible accessible to everyone and they wanted to help people think for themselves, using their free will, and make decisions on their own. This was the greatest achievement of Reformation.

Full text at: https://www.megujulasutja.hu/3-en?language=en

Stop 4: Marriage, family

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Location: Inside gate of Balatonszárszó szabadstrand, Móricz Zsigmond u
From previous sign: Continue east along Móricz Zsigmond u
Extract: When a man and a woman find each other and engage to each other, they get married. Starting from here, the married couple lives together. As the name 'married couple' indicates, it consists of two people who complement each other and form a couple. It is a divine vocation of man and woman to become a husband and wife, father and mother. They can realize this if they may count on each other and one can fulfill his/her own role with the kind support of the other one. Someone may only become a good wife by her husband's powerful support and vice versa: a good husband is formed by his wife's co-operation. Well-functioning marriage is a place of spiritual growth, and there is a perspective of spiritual enrichment and fulfillment, provided both parties do his/her own stuff for this purpose – and if they both renew from time to time.

Full text at: https://www.megujulasutja.hu/4-en?language=en

Stop 5: Community – responsibility

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Location: North side of Jókai Mór u
From previous sign: Turn right onto Bulcsu u. at eastern end of Móricz Zsigmond u. Turn left onto Jókai Mór u. Continue north-east until Evangelikus Konferencia és Missziói Közpon.
Extract: Since the time of Jesus Christ, Christians are seeking the community with each other. Christianity is a community religion - God does not only need solitary heroes, but rather people willing to accept each other and to share their pleasures and concerns. Our relationship with each other Jesus taught Christians to love each other. This means that we seek the good in other people, since we were all made in the image of God. We accept the difficulties of life as God's trials, as he wants to educate and strengthen us with these. In the conflicts we are forgiving and peace-building, we abandon violence and retaliation. The Beatitudes „Happy are the poor in spirit: for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Happy are those who are sad: for they will be comforted. Happy are the gentle: for the earth will be their heritage. Happy are those whose heart's desire is for righteousness: for they will have their desire. Happy are those who have mercy: for they will be given mercy. Happy are the clean in heart: for they will see God. Happy are the peacemakers: for they will be named sons of God. Happy are those who are attacked on account of righteousness: for the kingdom of heaven will be theirs. Happy are you when men give you a bad name, and are cruel to you, and say all evil things against you falsely, because of me.” (Gospel of Matthew 5:3-11)

Full text at: https://www.megujulasutja.hu/5-en?language=en

Stop 6: Creative knowledge

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Location: North side of József Attila u.
From previous sign: Cross railway line on pedestrian crossing, follow path up hill through trees to József Attila u. Turn right.
Extract: It was one of the earliest achievements of Reformation to provide new intellectual possibilities for the everyday people of the Middle Ages.

Knowledge is power. It can be any kind of knowledge we have not already learned. To read and write, master crafts, learning languages or just reading the Scriptures.

It is necessary to learn to acquire knowledge, especially at an impressionable age, that is, in childhood and at a young age.

In the first years of the Reformation, pupils studying in in Germany and Switzerland from all over Europe, took the new doctrines into their home country. Universities of this time were the strongholds of renewal. They were soon followed by reforms in the lower schools. Elementary schools and grammar schools were mostly owned by the church. The ever-expanding network of Protestant schools provided the opportunity for more young people to have a high level of knowledge.

Full text at: https://www.megujulasutja.hu/6-en?language=en

Stop 7: Restart every day

Location: North side of József Attila u.
From previous sign: Continue south-west along József Attila u.
Extract: It happened with a seven-years-old boy in 1916 in a remote country: he went to school where they heated with a stove during winter. In the morning the students had to light the fire in the stove one hour before the lesson. One day he came with his brother to start the stove, but there was an explosion and the school started on fire. The boy was transported to the hospital with extremely severe burns. From the waist down, not only his skin but also his muscles were burned. He was between life and death for a long time. Once his mother and the doctor talked and they did not know that the boy was hearing them. The doctor said, "He doesn't have much chance to survive." The boy heard and said to himself, "But I want to stay alive." A few weeks later the boy left the intensive care unit and once again they believed that he was asleep. The doctor said to his mother: "We didn't believe he was going to survive, but unfortunately it is certain that he will remain lame till the end of his life. He won't be able to move his legs. They need to be amputated." The little boy said to himself, "I must walk!" Fortunately his mother did not let the doctor amputate his legs.

Full text at: https://www.megujulasutja.hu/7-en?language=en

Stop 8: Church Buildings

Location: Outside main gate of SDG Family Hotel and Conference Center, Csárda u. 41
From previous sign: Take a left footpath heading south-east and turn right onto Nárcisz u. Continue to SDG Family hotel on the junction of Nárcisz u. and Csárda u.
Extract: The church building is the place to meet God. It is important for the community and for the individual because there is a soul in it. It was built humbly, with active engagement and sweat. Regardless of whether it is a centuries-old building or a new modern temple. "The greatest beauty of a church building is that it belongs to God. It is His house. The House of Glory. The Holy Spirit's workshop. The interior beauty of the temple lies in the fact that it becomes the property of man. There is happiness, but also a commitment to say "my church". We feel that it is not a legal but a spiritual possession. The temple becomes mine only by constant use. The beauty of the temple shines to me when I can happily say "all my life ..." In youth and in old age, in dreams, in bitter awakening, in effective work, in humiliation and under the cross, I must always live in the Lord's temple. Only in this case can I say: my church. " (Béla Kapi, Lutheran bishop)

Full text at: https://www.megujulasutja.hu/8-en?language=en

Stop 9: Human and nature

Location: North side of József Attila u.
From previous sign: Continue north along Csárda u. and take a left onto József Attila u.
Extract: We believe the whole world is God's creation: humans and animals, land and plants, Milky Way and the stars. When God created the world, God entrusted man: „And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to till it and to keep it"- we read this in the beginning of the Bible, in the book of Genesis, in the second chapter. According to this command, man is to care the world while utilizing natural resources for his benefit. Divine guidance for cultivation and guardianship means that we must treat nature as a careful host. We should not view nature as something to be exploited, but rather we should view it like a wise and forward-looking gardener who preserves natural treasures for future generations as well. Every day we experience that we cannot keep God's command. We all see the adverse effects of global warming, the negative weather changes and urban smog. There is a steady lack of water in the growing part of our planet, many species are extinct. The amount of exploitable minerals and fuels decreases, as well as carbon dioxide, emitted into the atmosphere, increases. This makes our planet less and less usable. There is an urgent need for global action to reduce environmental damage and stop destruction.

Full text at: https://www.megujulasutja.hu/9-en?language=en

Stop 10: Christian culture

Location: On József Attila u. outside József Attila Museum
From previous sign: Continue south-west along József Attila u.
Extract: The truly outstanding writers and poets have always been touched by the supernatural, the divine world. They sought answers to the tough questions of life and frequently called God as recipient with their poems. In the poetic form of human feelings and thoughts, divine poems were born.

In today's fast-pace world, it is a soul-stirring event, if we have a book of poems in our hands for even half an hour and let ourselves be filled up by their message.

Full text at: https://www.megujulasutja.hu/10-en?language=en

To complete the circuit and return to Sign #1 continue south-west along József Attila u, take a right onto Fő u. and cross the railway line.

Richard gowerTrek, Lake Balaton, HungaryComment
Chiltern Walks: Beaconsfield, Knotty Green and Seer Green
Fields near Seer Green

Fields near Seer Green

Start & Finish: Beaconsfield Railway Station, HP9 2PJ
Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 84 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): N/A
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Heritage Trail: Milton Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Beaconsfield, The Lion of Beaconsfield (2.3km in), The Jolly Cricketers (6.8km in)
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield Station, Forty Green, Knotty Green, Seer Green

From a start point at Beaconsfield Railway station, this route soon gets you into the quiet paths and country lanes of the Chilterns. It won’t take you long into the walk to realise that you’re in a very rich part of the country. We’re actually in Beaconsfield New Town, a mile north of the market town that dates back to 1185. The New Town came with the railways and, with fast regular trains to London, it’s still an attractive place to live in the countryside while working in London. 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.

Heading west from the station, you’ll cross Penn Road and take a north-westerly direction along Reynold’s Road. Follow onto a series of footpaths crossing quiet residential streets with some very large houses. After crossing Hogback Wood Road you’ll enter Hogback Wood and take a sharp right on a path through Knotty Green. Cross Penn Road again by the Red Lion Pub and onto a tight footpath to the right of a care home. After ~500m you’ll leave the residential area and follow the footpaths through woodland to the A355 Amersham Road.

Take care when crossing thee A355 as it’s very busy with a tight corner for cars coming up the hill from Amersham. After crossing the road you’ll be into woodland again, taking a right after ~400m and a left after another ~700m up a steep, short hill. At the top you’ll descend again crossing in a field into Seer Green. Here' you’ll meet the Milton Route of the Chiltern Heritage Trails and a chance for a rest at the Three Horseshoes pub.

After the Three Horsehoes, take a right at the end of Orchard Road onto School Lane. Following this south until you can take a right onto a footpath just past Vicarage Close. Continue south-west along the path, crossing Long Grove and Longbottom Lane onto Beaconsfield Golf Course. Be careful here as the footpath crosses the course so you’ll need to wait for golfers to play through. Continue south-west for ~1.5km, crossing the rail-line and eventually meeting the A355 on the eastern edge of Beaconsfield.

To complete the journey, take a zig-zagging route though Beaconsfield following Waller Road, Hyde Green Maxwell Road, a path over the railway line and finally Caledon Road back to the station.

Richard gowerTrek, Railway, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Cycling The River Ash and Thames Path Circular
The underwhelming source of the River Ash as it splits from the Colne on Staines Moor

The underwhelming source of the River Ash as it splits from the Colne on Staines Moor

Part of the Chiltern Rivers Series
River start: Splits from the Colne on Staines Moor
River end: Confluence with the Thames at Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
River length: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Cycle Route Start & Finish: Parking places at intersection of Moor Lane and Colne Valley Trail, Staines, TW18 4YY
Cycle Route Distance: 32.8 km (20.3 miles)
Cycle Route Elevation change: + / - 87 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Colne Valley Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
London Coal Duty Posts: 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several including The Ferry Coffee Shop, Shepperton TW17 9LQ
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: River Ash, Staines, Staines Moor, Shepperton, Walton-on-Thames, Desborough Island, Hammertons Ferry

In the latest of my Chiltern Rivers Cycle Rides I explored the River Ash at the Southern end of the Colne Valley Regional Park. The Ash splits off from the River Colne next to the A30 Staines bypass North of the town and follows a South-Easterly direction to meet the Thames at Walton-on-Thames. Much of the route is hidden from public access so a cycle or walking trip of the Ash is one for the completists only. That definitely describes me so I had to do it. The reward for tackling it is the return route to Staines via the Thames Path.

The best place to start (if you’re driving there) is some free parking space on Moor Lane opposite the path to Staines Moor. Following this path you’ll pass over the Wraysbury River, the Staines Rivers Aqueduct and the rail line. You’ll need to use the A30 bridge to cross over the River Colne where you’ll find the point where the Ash splits on the Eastern bank. From here you can follow the Ash on a footpath for ~300 into a housing estate. For the next 4 km you won’t see the river as it keeps close to the A308 and cycling options zig-zag through residential areas of North Staines. You could cycle on the A308 to stay closer to the river and shave off some distance, but it’s a very busy road and you won’t see the river anyway.

The Ash, the A308 and the cycle route all come together at the Fordbridge Roundabout. Here the Ash takes a sharp turn right to the South and curves round the Queen Mary Reservoir through Laleham. The best cycle option is to follow the B377 Ashford Road then the B376 Shepperton Road. At Shepperton you have the choice of continuing along the B376 or taking a meandering route through Littleton, Shepperton and Upper Haliford to stay closer to the river.

The confluence with the Thames is tucked away behind a small island. You can get there by taking a private residential road called The Creek off Fordingbridge Road. A rickety wooden bridge stands over the confluence marking the end of the Ash part of the trip.

To return to Staines, go back to Fordingbridge Road and follow it West to the A244 and follow that onto Walton Bridge. Cross over the bridge and take the Thames Path back to Staines. I added an extra 1 km to the trip by taking a diversion along the perimeter paths of Desborough Island. One of the highlights of the trip is taking the small Hammertons ferry to the North side of the Thames. Check that it’s running before you go though as you’ll add a few extra km to the trip to find the nearest alternative crossing by bridge.

When you arrive back at Staines take the B376 heading North away from Staines Bridge. Take a right onto Moor Lane and continue for ~500m back to the parking spot.

Blue = course of the River Ash, Red = circular cycle route

Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Colne Valley, Thames, Surrey, Middlesex, London, England, Coal Duty PostComment
Thames Path & Jubilee River Walk - Maidenhead & Bray
Maidenhead Bridge

Maidenhead Bridge

Start & Finish: Riverside Gardens, Maidenhead, SL6 8NS
Distance: 10.7 km (6.6 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 35 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Maidenhead Boundary Walk, Jubilee River Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 52, 61, Beeches Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Jenners Riverside Cafe (SL6 8NP), The Boathouse at Boulters Lock (SL6 8PE)
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Jubilee River, Maidenhead, Ray Mill Island, Bray, Dorney Reach, Bray Lock

The Jubilee River is a man-made channel built in the late 1990s and early 2000s to take overflow from the River Thames to prevent flooding around Maidenhead, Windsor, and Eton. The path along side it passes through wildlife and woodland making a easy, pleasant walk or cycle. It also runs parallel and close to the Thames, allowing for several combinations of short trips that take in both.

This is the first of a series of 4 circular walks of roughly 10 km that take in sections of both the Jubilee River and Thames Path. This one starts at the Car Park at Riverside Gardens in Maidenhead taking a clockwise direction to Dorney Reach at the walk’s southern edge.

The Complete Route: Thames Path & Jubilee River Walks

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Yellow = Maidenhead & Bray, Red = Dorney & Eton Wick, Blue = Eton Wick and Eton, Greet = Eton and Datchet

Richard gowerTrek, Thames, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Pole Hill: Waltham Forest Borough High Point

Significance: Highest peak on the Greater London Borough of Waltham Forest
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Haddington Hill. NHN = Highgate Hill
Historic County: Essex (of which Chrishall Common is the County Top)
Elevation: 91m
Date climbed: 21st October 2018 (on Tough 10 run) and July 14th 2020 (on Prime Meridian cycle)
Coordinates: 51° 38' 11'' N, 0° 0' 5'' W
Nearest Station: Chingford (Overground): 1 km
On route of: Greenwich Meridian Trail
OS Trig Pillar: TP5486 - Pole Hill
Map: OS Explorer Map (174) Epping Forest & Lee Valley Map
Links: Wikipedia (Waltham Forest), Wikipedia (Pole Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging, Epping Forest, Greenwich Meridian Monuments

The first time I found the summit of Pole Hill it was by accident. I was running the Tough 10 Epping Forest Race and spotted the Trig Pillar at the top of a steep climb. As I wasn't up for a PB I took a 30 second diversion to get a photo of my at the Trig. I was intrigued by the other monument next to it and made a mental note to check it out another time.

My return to the Pole Hill monument was on my Prime Meridian cycle trip. The monument is one of several obelisks and other markers that signify the line of 0 degrees longitude. As far as I know Pole Hill is the only place where there's a Meridian marker, a Trig Pillar and a County/Borough High Point.

Richard gowerRun, Cycle, London Borough High Point, Trig Pillar, London, EnglandComment
Cycling The Prime Meridian Part 1 - Peacehaven to Waltham Abbey
Obelisk at Peacehaven

Obelisk at Peacehaven

The Prime Meridian, also known as the Greenwich Meridian, is the line of longitude defined as 0°. It’s the line that divides East and West. It’s also a line that I asked myself last Christmas: “can that be cycled"?”. The answer is “no” as it’s a dead-straight line with buildings inconveniently built along it's path. You can cycle quite close to it though, so that’s what we did.

If you want to walk it, there’s a well-signed path called the Greenwich Meridian Trail. The Trail is also very well described in a series of 4 books by Graham and Hilda Heap. The cycle route that I designed stays as close to the Prime Meridian as possible but avoiding footpaths and opting for quieter country roads over busy main roads. Even if you’re cycling I highly recommend the Greenwich Meridian Trail books as they’re a great guide to the interesting things to see along the way.

For the first stage of our cycle trip we started at Peacehaven, where the Meridian meets the sea at it’s most Southerly point. From there we headed north over 2 days to Waltham Abbey, just above the M25. The rest of it came in later trips covering 6 days. See the main Prime Meridian post for the full route

Day 1: Coast, Downs and Weald

Start: Prime Meridian Obelisk, 96 The Promenade, Peacehaven, BN10 8LN
Finish: The Bakery Restaurant and Rooms, Westmore Road, Tatsfield, Westerham, TN16 2AG
Distance: 75 km (47 miles)
Elevation change: + 1,013m / - 812m (Net +201m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Greenwich Meridian Trail, Newhaven-Brighton Clifftop Path, South Downs Way, Sussex Ouse Valley Way, Forest Way, High Weald Landscape Trail, Mid Sussex Link, Sussex Border Path, Tandridge Border Path, Greensand Way, Vanguard Way, North Downs Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2, 21
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but I recommend The Stable Tea Rooms, Heaven Farm, Furner's Green, Uckfield TN22 3RG (at km 34)
Maps:
- OS Explorer OL11 Brighton & Hove Map
- OS Explorer Map (135) Ashdown Forest Map
- OS Explorer Map (146) Dorking, Box Hill and Reigate Map
- OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham Map
Guidebook: Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 1: Peacehaven to Greenwich
Links: Wikipedia: Prime Meridian, The Greenwich Meridian, Greenwich Meridian Trail, Peacehaven, Prime Meridian Obelisk, Tatsfield

Day 2: London

Start: The Bakery Restaurant and Rooms, Westmore Road, Tatsfield, Westerham, TN16 2AG
Finish: Waltham Abbey Church, 4 Church St, Waltham Abbey EN9 1DJ
Distance: 62.5 km (39 miles)
Elevation change: + 377m / - 585m (Net -208m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Greenwich Meridian Trail, Tandridge Border Path, London Loop, Capital Ring, Waterlink Way, Lewisham Promenade, Thames Path, Lea Valley Walk, Jubilee Greenway, The Greenway.
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 13, 21, 4, CS2, CS3, CS16, CS23,
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but I recommend The Breakfast Club, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 29 East Bay Lane Canalside Here East, London E15 2GW
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham Map
- OS Explorer Map (162) Greenwich and Gravesend Map
- OS Explorer Map (174) Epping Forest & Lee Valley Map
Guidebook: Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 1: Peacehaven to Greenwich and Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 2: Greenwich to Hardwick
Links: Wikipedia: Prime Meridian, The Greenwich Meridian, Greenwich Meridian Trail, Tatsfield, Royal Observatory Greenwich, Waltham Abbey

Prime Meridian markers on the route

Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Coast, Disused Railway, Thames, South Downs, Sussex, Surrey, London, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment
Rottingdean and Peacehaven Under and Over Cliff Walk
Looking west to Saltdean

Looking west to Saltdean

Start & Finish: White Horse Hotel, High St, Rottingdean, Brighton BN2 7HR, United Kingdom
Distance: 9.7 km (6 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 80 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): England Coastal Path, Newhaven-Brighton Clifftop Path, Undercliff Walk, Greenwich Meridian Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2, Prime Meridian Cycle Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Smugglers Rest, South Coast Road, Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven BN10 7BE
Map: OS Explorer OL11 Brighton & Hove Map
Links: Rottingdean, Peacehaven, Prime Meridian Obelisk

This was a pleasant late afternoon walk for us ahead of the next day’s Prime Meridian Cycle Trip with my friend Brian. We had spent the day on Rottingdean Beach, mostly drinking Champagne and eating ice-cream. Timea had joined Brian and I for the day and I wanted her to see the Prime Meridian Obelisk before she headed home.

The return walk from Rottingdean to the Obelisk at Peasehaven is just under 10 km with both undercliff and cliff-top options to choose from. You can follow the cliff-top all the way but the undercliff option stops for a few kms between Saltdean and the Western edge of Peacehaven. We took the undercliff walk, as much as we could, to Peacehaven and came back on the cliff top.

See the next post for more on the Prime Meridian Obelisk at Peaceheaven.

Richard gowerTrek, Coast, Sussex, EnglandComment