Shakespeare's Way Section 7: Maidensgrove to Marlow

Following the success of walking The Ridgeway in 2023, the Chiltern Young Walkers have set themselves a new challenge of walking Shakespeare's Way in 2024!

A 146 mile route that winds its way through the Cotswolds, the Chiltern hills and along the Thames between Shakespeare's Historic Birthplace and The Globe Theatre in London. Its a beautiful fully signposted route that goes through towns such as Chipping Norton, Woodstock and Marlow as well as the beautiful city of Oxford and of course a long section along the River Thames in London. We're kicking the challenge off with a double bill, which you can do either part of as a day trip or stay for an little weekend away!

We'll meet at the end point in Marlow at Riley Road car park (this is the smaller one directly next to Sainsbury's, not the one main bigger on across from Sainsbury's) and then organise ourselves into as few cars as possible and drive to the start point, leaving at least one car at the end to drop the drivers back to our car.

Now we're firmly in the Chilterns, we'll notice the route going up and down quite a bit, through stunning ancient woodland and wide open fields. Enroute we'll go directly through Stonor Park, a country house dating back to the 13th century and famous for its herds of fallow deer.

Later on we'll cross through Hambleden, famous for its use in films such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and TV shows such as Band of Brothers and Good Omens. Here we'll stop for a drink at the Stag and Hunstman. Finally we'll head through Pullingshill Wood and Marlow Common, which, aside from boasting beautiful woodland, its dips are actually old WW1 training trenches.

Please bring plenty of water and a packed lunch. Dress for the weather (no jeans, please) and bring sunscreen if its likely to be sunny. Well behaved dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead at all times and are the owner's responsibility.