04/05/15 - Hooray Henley

Distance - 10 Miles
Geocaches - 5
Walk Inspiration - Time Out Country Walks

The first walk from Time Out Country Walks book is a boster but the chance of refreshment is cruelly curtailed by a state of the nation symptom.

I am going to like this book a lot.  It offers 52 Walks within easy reach of London.  For the socially minded walker, it even shows which weekend and which train you should catch to meet up with like minded ramblers.  If I wasn't coming down from the Midlands via car, I should have been doing this on 3/01/15 to make new friends.

I don't need to worry, I have Sonia with me today.  I optimistically told her it was an 8 miler and have a plan of fighting off any weariness with cake.

We park up at the Station and head through the impressive town to pick up the river.

Over the River to Head North

Superb walking along the tow path, heading North on the Berkshire side.  The town is preparing for the Regatta, with a canvas city being erected bankside.  Plenty of wonderful houses to admire, with Remenham on one side and Fawley Court on the other.

Henleys Version of an Infinity Pool

Fawley Court

Right from the start of the walk we can see Temple Island.  To keep Sonia's spirits up, I ask her what is called, telling her that everything she needs to give me an answer can be seen in front of her.

We stop playing when she answers "Goose Island"

We are crossing the river at Mill End, where there is a 250 metre footbridge snaking its way across the river.  It makes for a spectacular crossing point.

Crossing the Lock

250 Metres of Walkway

At its spectacular best

Having navigated the lock we enter the grounds of Hambleden Estate to walk to the village, under the watchful gaze of the red kites that dominate the area.

The village is special.  You can tell by the amount of tourists hanging around the tea shop/cafe.  Its been four miles and too early for the pub, so we sit on the bench outside the church to eat freshly purchased Eccles Cakes and drink Ribena.

Hambleden's Church - My only Photo

Whilst catching our breath, I comment that this must have been used for film locations.  A quick google confirms it - Sleepy Hollow, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Band of Brothers were all filmed here.

I should have used the camera more.

Full of vim from our North Western snacks, we climb uphill through Great Wood on impressive tracks, with the occasional fine view through gaps in the trees

Great Wood - Does what it says on the Tin

Views.  The Black Blobs are Kites

Conversation turns to lunch and I know from the guidebook that the Walnut Tree in Fawley is coming up.  I see the sign and my heart sinks.

Another Sad Victim of the Declining Pub Trade

I have to say that Sonia takes this unexpected setback rather well.

It must be the promise of the 5 quick caches in Henley Park - a deer park - with the Oxfordshire Way running through the centre of it.

Just Sheep Today

The Oxfordshire Way delivers us back into town, which is teeming with people.  There is little chance of getting quick service in any of the fine looking riverside pubs - but I have a plan.

My research has shown that Number 4 in the top 10 list of Oxfordshire pubs is just a short distance out of town.

Unassuming from the Outside

Perfect in the Beer Garden