We are the West London Ramblers, mainly covering Ealing and Hounslow, but open to all. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Vino K.
This walk takes us along a pleasant section of the River Thames. From Reading station, we quickly reach the riverside and make our way to Sonning Lock via waterside parks and walkways. After a early stop here for a snack, we continue along an unspoilt section of riverside between pastures and fields. We stop for lunch near the river at Shiplake, before heading to Shiplake Lock and then Shiplake village for the pub and toilets. There is also a station here (potential drop out point). The Thames Path itself is diverted after Lower Shiplake due to a structural issue with Marsh Lock (not expected to be resolved in the near future). So we follow the official diversion through Harpsden woods which adds some more variety to the walk (note there is some ascent and a potentially slippery descent in this section). The walk then returns to river's edge for the last section through a riverside park into Henley.
Trains: 09.24 Elizabeth line from Ealing Broadway or 10.02 GWR from Paddington. This leaves plenty of time at Reading to access the toilets, as there are no toilets till after lunch
While there are some good paths, parts will be muddy if it has been raining. Some sections can be prone to forming puddles if there is heavy rain.
Bring picnic lunch, with stop at pub after for toilets and drinks.
Outside station - exit via North exit, next to platform 15 at Reading station
Henley railway station
