Henley Woodland, Town, River and Parkland Walk 7 miles - moderate

This is a 7+ mile circular route around Henley, incorporating one of the Chiltern Society walks and a tour of Henley town and along the Thames. It is undulating in parts and there are two moderate but short hills. One main road to cross (Fair Mile) and busy streets in the town. No stiles but there is one fallen tree.

We set off from Mill Lane car park to the centre of Henley via Queen Street with its pretty, painted plasterwork Victorian houses. Moving swiftly through the town we skirt Friar Park, the estate of the late George Harrison, and cross Badgemoor Park golf course, past the field of llamas to woodland and the Lambridge Wood Farm estate which was once managed by a charity for poor relief and has a somewhat chequered history. We may see some deer. At Fairmile Cemetery, with its two flint flushwood chapels and Commonwealth war graves, we take a banana break half-way along our ramble. After joining the Oxfordshire Way across high parkland with excellent views we head towards our 30 minute picnic lunch stop in the tranquil Quakers garden (no toilets) and we have returned to Henley. The Thames Towing Path leads us a mile upstream back to the car park and optional refreshments at the new Mill Lane Café for a drink or hot snack or cake (gluten free available). There are toilets.

Bring a packed lunch.

Note: Please no dogs in the Quakers garden, however, there is a recreation ground with benches called Freemans Meadow Play Area 100 metres away.

Walk Leader: Sara C