Walks from Henley-on-Thames

Beginner-friendly: Cross the river, make sure it’s on your left, and keep walking all the way to Marlow! You can't go wrong.

Waterway: two thirds along the River Thames.

Time: 3h30–6h30

Lunch: There’s nowhere to eat en route so either pack a lunch or eat in Marlow at the end — there are many cafés, pubs and restaurants there.

4 end-of-walk rewards: the Bull Inn, the Old Brewery, the Prince of Wales, or the Marlow Donkey

Warnings: Very popular and busy. Be warned that the river bank is prone to flooding, making sections of the route impassible — if that happens there will be many other ramblers who you can follow for the alternative route.

Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Highly recommended: Thames towpath, open riverside meadows, quaint brick-and-flint hamlet, ancient woodland, wooded hillside terraces, parkland estate and Georgian market town.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 5h–10h

1 lunch spot: the Stag and Huntsman (2h–3h30 in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Bull on Bell Street, or the Old Bell

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

Highly recommended: Thames riverside, ancient streets, broad valleys, beech woods, fields, small villages, alpaca farm and toll bridge.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 5h–10h30

1 lunch spot: the Red Lion (1h30–3h30 in)

1 end-of-walk reward: the Greyhound

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

Pleasant valleys, undulating woodland, bluebell woods, open fields, Thames riverbank and weir crossing.

Warnings: Marsh Lock bridge closed.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Thames riverbank, beech woods, valley farmland, watermeadows, arable fields and gentle hills.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Remenham Wood (bluebells in season), Thames-side at Hambleden Lock and Temple Island, with views over the Henley regatta course.

Hambleden Lock: a picturesque Thames lock and weir crossed by a long wooden walkway, opposite the Greenlands estate.

Temple Island: a small island with an ornamental temple marking the start of the Henley Royal Regatta course.

The River Thames: England's best-known river, whose towpath (the Thames Path National Trail) carries long stretches of nearly every walk in this set.

Time: 2h30–5h

Lunch: The Angel and Little Angel pubs in Henley; the Flower Pot near Aston.

Warnings: One low stile.

Walk details: Round Reading Walk.

Rolling grassy hills, hidden valleys, mixed woodland, beech woods, farmland and panoramic views.

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Thames Valley and Chilterns, open valley countryside, attractive woodland, Thames path and picturesque villages and hamlets.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Flat Thames towpath, riverside parks, wooded sections, pasture fields, meadows and riverside gardens.

Waterway: four fifths along the River Thames.

Time: 4h–8h

Warnings: Flood risk sections.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Riverside Thames path, bluebell and beech woods, open agricultural fields, gentle hills, golf course, historic village and market town riverfront.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 5h–10h

1 lunch spot: the Plough (1h–1h30 in)

4 end-of-walk rewards: the Bull on Bell Street, the Old Bell, the Saracen's Head, or the Bird in Hand

Warnings: Can flood after rain.

Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.

Similar walks: the Saturday Walkers Club and Round Reading Walk (inc. GPX).

A mostly flat route following the Thames Path from Henley via Shiplake to Sonning and then looping back on the opposite bank along a narrow grassy path to Charvil and a pavement walk into Twyford. The Thames Path is a rough track in places and can get quite muddy and rutted. Some steps and narrow gates. Follows the Thames Path National Trail for much of its length. To enjoy the 2020 loop of the Thames Path through Shiplake, turn left off Mill Road soon after the pub and duck under the railway. Many private-property signs line the Thameside section.

Waterway: three fifths along the River Thames.

Time: 4h–7h30

Lunch: A choice of amenities in Sonning.

Warnings: Crossing a really busy roundabout with no pedestrian crossing on the approach to Twyford. The Thames Path can get muddy and rutted. Steps and narrow gates.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Fine views, big skies with kites. A varied and beautiful walk through woods, fields, deer parks and manicured parkland, with hills, fine views and many red kites, ending with suburban streets into Maidenhead. Good paths but lots of stiles and kissing gates, narrow rooty paths and steep in places; squelchy and likely very muddy in winter. Follows parts of the Chiltern Way and Thames Path; High Wood is managed by the Berkshire College of Agriculture, which asks walkers to keep to the designated path.

Time: 5h–9h30

3 lunch spots: the Olde Bell, the Honey Pot, or the Rising Sun

Warnings: Several stiles and kissing gates; narrow rooty paths, steep in places, can get very wet and muddy in winter.

Walk details: Slow Ways.