Henley Walking Festival 2019

Henley Walking Festival 2019

The festival will take place over the weekend of the 10th to 14th October, 2019.

Henley on Thames is a fantastic venue for this type of event and is a wonderful base for walking enthusiasts as it offers walks from the town and its beautiful countryside. From walks around Henley itself, finding out about the history around the town, to Nordic walking, photo walks, walks with mobility scooters, walks for visually impaired people, as well as a moonlight walk, and long strenuous walks, the Henley Walking Festival has it all.

The Henley Walking Festival is organised by Walkers are Welcome Henley on Thames, in collaboration with the Chiltern Walking Festival.

Walk 1: Walk with mobility scooters from Swyncombe
Thursday, October 10th at 10:30am

A circular ramble around Swyncombe Downs in the Chilterns, Oxfordshire in conjunction with our friends from the Disabled Ramblers. The route is on chalk downs passing through woodlands and open fields with red kites wheeling overhead. Bring a picnic lunch.

Walk 2: Chill out in the Chilterns (World Mental Health Day)
Thursday, October 10th at 10:15am

Guided charity walk raising funds for the Bluebells Day Centre, a Henley based charity dedicated to supporting Dementia patients and their families. Our route, which takes us deep into the hills, includes two steady climbs (680 ft total ascent). Along the way we are greeted by the vibrant autumn colours of the beech woods and take time to explore evidence of brick and pottery making, the romantic church ruins in Bix Bottom and discover beautiful stained glass windows by John Piper.

  • Pipsticks Walks
  • Meet at The Green, Nettlebed (RG9 5AX)
  • Distance 6 Miles / Contact: Philippa Sanders (07710 453087)
  • Charity donation on the day - Please Book Here

Walk 3: Walk to Greys Court
Friday, October 11th at 14:00

One of the favourite walks around Henley: Circular Walk to Greys court, and back via Lambridge Wood, through the golf course. Dogs allowed.

Walk 4: Henley Riverside by Moonlight
Friday, October 11th at 18:00

We take a high level route to Aston with distant views over the river then return along the Thames Path for an optional pub meal in Henley. On our way home we will enjoy walking towards the lights of Henley under a full moon if clear skies. Bring a torch and arrive early to pre-order if eating at the pub. Car park is to rear of the pub and can be accessed via pedestrian passage way from the front of the Argyll pub (15 Market Place, RG9 2AA) or from the Greys Road Car Park ( RG9 2FA).

  • Henley & Goring Ramblers
  • Meet at the Argyll Pub car park (RG9 2AA)
  • Distance: 5 Miles / Contact: Alyth Yealland (07521 699265)

Walk 5: A Tale of Three Commons (Nordic walk)
Saturday, October 12th at 9:30

It’s a hilly one! Put your Nordic walking poles to the test on this roller coaster walk deep in the heart of the Chiltern hills. We step out from Maidensgrove Common along the Oxfordshire Way towards Northend Common. An historic hollow way then takes us down towards Turville Wood before we climb up to Turville Heath common. We have the option here to pause for refreshment at The Barn cafe, a little gem hidden away in the hills. A few more ‘ups and downs’ then take us back to Maidensgrove. There is plenty of interest along the way as we enjoy the splendours of autumn of exploring the tops and bottoms of the Chilterns. Total ascent 1200ft (365m). Post walk refreshment available at the Five Horseshoes pub at Maidensgrove.

  • Pipsticks Walks
  • Meet at Maidensgrove Common (RG9 6EX)
  • Distance 9 Miles / Contact: Philippa Sanders (07710 453087)
  • Cost £10 - Call to Book

Walk 6: A Walk of 2 Halves
Saturday, October 12th at 10:00

On the first half we cross the Thames at Hambleden Lock and follow the Thames Path east past the "African Head", Culham Court and Deer Park, Hurley Lock to Temple Lock, after which we head west through the Harleyford estate. On the second half we encounter a few Chiltern Hill beech woods and contours up through Rassler Wood and Pullinghills Wood (where there are the First World War Training Trenches) continuing through Homefield and Heath Woods before encountering the steepest hill of the day DOWN to Hambleden. About 2 or 3 hills. Brisk pace (about 3 mph). Please bring a packed lunch. Refreshments afterwards at the Stag and Huntsman.

  • Chilterns Weekend Walkers
  • Meet at public car park next to the Stag and Huntsman pub in Hambleden (RG9 6RP)
  • Distance: 12 Miles / Contact: Gerry Paine and Steve Dowling (07961 642571)

Walk 7: Henley to Remenham Church, Back Along the River
Saturday, October 12th at 10:00

Take a close look at Henley's most famous landmarks. Over Henley Bridge, up Remenham Hill, down the lane to Remenham Church and back along the Regatta course to Henley. Could take a lunch break in Henley then continue the afternoon's walk to Fawley. Please allow at least 15 minutes for parking in town car parks, or use free on street parking at Deanfield Road, RG9 1UG, 5 minutes walk from Town Hall.

Walk 8: Stoke Row Dog Walk
Saturday, October 12th at 10:30 - 12:00

Meet at Stoke Row Stores for a dog friendly 1 hour walk. Meet at Stoke Row Stores to walk at 10.30 - refreshments available from Stoke Row Stores if arriving earlier. Walk ends at the Cherry Tree lunch which will be open for lunch.

  • A Foot in the Chilterns
  • Meet at Stoke Row Stores (RG9 5QL)
  • Distance: Short / Contact: Anthea Osborn-Jones (07966 245264)

Walk 9: One Walk, Two Breweries
Saturday, October 12th at 11:00

From Henley Town Hall we walk West out of Henley, through Highlands Farm and up into the wide open spaces of Crowsley. We then South towards Dunsden Green and Loddon Brewery where refreshments and homemade Sausage or Cheese & Onion rolls are available. We leave Loddon Brewery heading North East towards Binfield Heath & Shiplake Row then back through Harpsden Wood towards Henley, finishing at Lovibonds Brewery. (There are frequent buses to Henley so the return walk is optional)

  • Meet at Henley Town Hall (RG9 2AQ)
  • Distance: 10 Miles / Contact: Glen Lambert (07779 146634)
  • There are frequent buses to Henley so the return walk is optional

Walk 10: Henley to Fawley Court, a Historical View
Saturday, October Booking required 12th at 14:00

From Henley to Toad Hall Garden Centre via Fawley Hill. The leader will give some history of the area en route Cafe stop and optional return by bus. Please allow at least 15 minutes for parking in town car parks, or use free on street parking at Deanfield Road, RG9 1UG, 5 minutes walk from Town Hall.

Walk 11: A walk in the hills to the west of Lane End
Sunday, October 13th at 10:00

From Lane End via Turville to Ibstone church and return via Poynatts Wood and Skirmett. Please bring picnic lunch.

Walk 12: Everyone’s Fruit & Nut Case
Sunday, October 13th at 10:15

A fun walk for all the family! On this short walk we will discover the trees, fruits and nuts that the autumn countryside of the Chilterns has to offer… and the folklore, myth and legends that surround them! The welcoming Bottle & Glass Inn is open for breakfast from 8.30 am. Lunch is served between 12.00 and 16.30.

  • Pipsticks Walks
  • Meet at Bottle & Glass Inn, Binfield Heath, (RG9 4JT)
  • Distance: 4 Miles / Contact: Philippa Sanders 07710 453087)
  • Cost £3 - Call to Book

Walk 13: Nordic Walk
Sunday, October 13th at 10:30-11:15

45 min free taster in Nordic walking led by a NWUK accredited instructor - practical session giving you the opportunity to try it and see if you would like to learn to Nordic walk. Equipment provided for the session. Opportunity to sign up for a Nordic Walking UK Learn to Nordic Walk course taking place in the autumn.

Walk 14: A short walk in the lovely Hambleden Valley
Sunday, October 13th at 10:30

A short walk beginning from the very traditional and pretty village of Hambleden with one steep hill, fields and woods. Pub and cafe available in the village.

  • Henley & Goring Ramblers
  • Meet at public car park next to the Stag and Huntsman pub in Hambleden (RG9 6RP)
  • Distance: 4 Miles / Contact: Mair Hunt (07833 899639)

Walk 15: Henley Photo Walk
Sunday, October 13th at 14:00

A 5k walk along the river taking in the town and Marsh Lock & Weir. This walk will provide a number of different photographic scenarios. Also, it is an opportunity to pick the brain of Paul, the Lead Instructor from Henley on Thames Photo Walks on all things photography.

  • Henley Photo Walks
  • Meet at Henley, Mill Lane Car Park (RG9 4HD)
  • Distance: 3.5 Miles / Contact: Paul Darvell (07956 807442)
  • Cost £10 - to be paid upon arrival

Walk 16: Henley History and Midsomer Murders
Sunday, October 13th at 12:00

A 1 hour walk around Henley learning some of it's history and visiting Midsomer Murder filming locations. See places off the beaten track and famous landmarks. Opportunity to sample Midsomer Ale at the Argyll - one of the Midsomer filming locations. £12 per adult, £6 children over 8, to be paid upon arrival.

  • A Foot in the Chilterns
  • Meet at Argyll Pub, Market Place, Henley (RG9 2AA)
  • Distance: Short / Contact: Anthea Osborn-Jones (07966 245264)
  • Cost £12 per Adult, £6 per Child over 8 - to be paid on arrival

Walk 17: Guided walk for the visually impaired from Rotherfield Greys
Monday, October 14th at 10:30

Guided walk for the visually impaired with an optional pub lunch afterwards. All welcome, please contact leader for further details if you wish to join.

  • Henley & Goring Ramblers
  • Meet at Rotherfield Greys, Maltsters Arms PH (RG9 4PL)
  • Distance: 5 Miles / Contact: Alan Futter (07711 718474)
  • Sorry, registered Assistance Dogs only