READING CENTRAL CORPS

WALKING FELLOWSHIP

Walk number 45 (13 of 2006)

Thursday 7 September 2006

Hurley and Temple Locks on the River Thames

Starting Details: The parking area and starting point for this walk is the free car park in Hurley village. Please be there at around 10.15 to be ready for a 10.30 start. Phone me on my mobile (number below) if you are lost or delayed by traffic. We will wait if you are not too far away. (This is the same starting point as was used for Walk 37 on 11 May this year).

Access Information: Take the A4 from Reading towards Maidenhead. At the Thicket roundabout turn left on to the A404M towards High Wycombe and the M40. Take the first slip road out, which is after just over half a mile and sign posted to Henley and the A4130. At a “T” junction turn left to shortly reach a roundabout. Here take the second exit out keeping on the A4130. After just over a mile from the roundabout there is a right turn sign posted to Hurley Village. Take that road (High Street) and proceed along it for just over ½ mile which is as far as it is possible to go along that road, as it is a dead end. The car park, which is not very well marked, is on the left, opposite the Church.

If wishing to travel through Henley, after going down the main street from Reading, take the A4130 to Maidenhead over the river bridge and keep on this road for 4 miles. Just after a 40mph sign is the sign posted left turn to Hurley village down the High Street. Then proceed as above. However, delays can be expected in Henley due to road works, so make allowance for this if coming this way.

Description: This is a walk of around 4 miles, most of which is along the Thames Path between Hurley and Marlow. Apart from bridges crossing the river, it is entirely flat and there is just one stile. It is not fully circular, as we will retrace our steps along the river bank between Temple Lock and Hurley. There is the prospect of a tea room we pass en route being open.

Points of Interest: Until 1953 there was a ferry crossing near Temple Lock. On this ceasing to function a long detour by road was required to enjoy this part of the river. In 1989 the 270 foot long Temple footbridge was built with funding provided by local authorities and conservation groups which again opened up this stretch for recreational use. This bridge later became part of the route of the Thames Path when it was designated as a National Trail in 1996. Upon crossing this bridge we will enter into the County of Buckingham. Although we do not go as far as Marlow its Church can be seen in the distance, and looking across to the Berkshire side of the river provides the best possible view of All Saints Church, Bisham, with its huge Norman Tower, dating from 1175 (See Picture). Further along we will come to the 800 year old Bisham Abbey. This was mentioned in the domesday book and played host to Henry VIII and Elizabeth I who governed for a while from the suite now known as the Elizabethan Room. In these day it is a prestigious Sports Council training centre for over 20 different sports, including UK Athletics, the Amateur Rowing Asscociation and the England Football and Rugby Associations.

MICHAEL BENNETT

0118 9844818 or mobile (07887 982618) or click to email

Prepared 24 August 2006

Walks 46 on Saturday 23 September and 47 on Thursday 5 October

Keep these dates clear for these walks. Full details for each will be available in good time

Disclaimer: Persons who accept the invitation to join the walks I plan do so entirely at their own risk. Neither I nor The Salvation Army can be held responsible for any injury to or loss by any person accompanying me, how ever they might be sustained