Batsford's Walking Guides: Thames Valley E-Book

Jilly MacLeod

• Herausgeber: Batsford
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 121

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Beschreibung

This eBook has an attractive retro feel, with nostalgic line drawings and hand-drawn maps. Each of the 20 walks have been carefully selected to appeal to family walkers, most are circular and none are too strenuous. Each walk contains the following: Clear, easy-to-follow route directions Detailed hand-drawn maps Refreshments and pubs Parking information OS map references In addition, each walk contains information on wildlife, or other special attractions to watch out for while walking. The ideal gift for anyone wanting to explore the countryside within easy reach of London. Author Information Jilly Macleod studied Zoology at University College, London before joining a leading publishing company as a book editor. She worked on the successful Natural History list at HarperCollins and recently helped compile The National Trust Book of the Countryside. She is a keen walker and British countryside enthusiast and recently hiked Hadrian's Wall.

Leseprobe

First published in the United Kingdom in 2011 by Batsford 10 Southcombe Street London W14 0RA An imprint of Anova Books Company Ltd

Copyright © Batsford, 2011

Materials kindly provided by individual organizations, as credited at the end of each walk.

Walks on pages 12 and 68 © Natural England 2011. Material is reproduced with the permission of Natural England, http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/copyright

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

First eBook publication 2013 eBook ISBN: 9781849941167

Also available in paperback Paperback ISBN: 9781906388874

The print edition of this book can be ordered direct from the publisher at the website www.anovabooks.com, or try your local bookshop.

Neither the publisher nor the author can accept responsibility for any changes, errors or omissions in this guide, or for any loss or injury incurred during any of the walks.

Contents

Map of the Thames Valley

Introduction

Leafy London Walk

Memorials, Monuments and Magna Carta

Tranquil Woodland Walk

Eton Riverside Ramble

In the Steps of Disraeli

Poets, Spooks and Spinneys

Of Monks and Meadows

Red Kite Walk

Henley Boots and Boats

Whitchurch Hill Walk

Goring Gap Walk

Happy Valley Walk

The Hamptons Loop

The Trout Inn Walk

Walking the Ridgeway

White Horse Walk

Barns and Bluebells

Willow Walk

Lakeland Walk

In Search of the Source of the Thames

Useful Contacts

Map of the Thames Valley

KEY TO MAP

1) Leafy London Walk

2) Memorials, Monuments and Magna Carta

3) Tranquil Woodland Walk

4) Eton Riverside Ramble

5) In the Steps of Disraeli

6) Poets, Spooks and Spinneys

7) Of Monks and Meadows

8) Red Kite Walk

9) Henley Boots and Boats

10) Whitchurch Hill Walk

11) Goring Gap Walk

12) Happy Valley Walk

13) The Hamptons Loop

14) The Trout Inn Walk

15) Walking the Ridgeway

16) White Horse Walk

17) Barns and Bluebells

18) Willow Walk

19) Lakeland Walk

20) In Search of the Source of the Thames

Introduction

Rising in a field just north of the village of Kemble in Gloucestershire, the River Thames flows for over 340km (210 miles) through woods and water meadows, rolling hills, historic towns and picturesque villages to London and beyond. In its course it flows through three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) – and has a national trail – the Thames Path – running for almost its entire length, making it a magnet for walkers and other pleasure seekers.

The river began life some 170–140 millions years ago, at a time when most of southern England lay beneath the sea. The billions of tiny marine organisms laid down during this period gave rise to the limestone that forms the chalklands of the Thames Valley. As recently as 10,000 years ago, Britain was linked to mainland Europe and the Thames formed a tributary of the mighty Rhine – a link only severed when the waters rose once more and Britain was cut off from its neighbours. The name Thames possibly comes from the Sanskrit word ‘tamas’ meaning ‘dark’, or from a combination of the Roman ‘tam’ meaning ‘wide’ and ‘isis’ meaning ‘water’.

Many walks in this book are based around the Thames Path, which largely runs along the towpath established towards the end of the 18th century to facilitate the flow of traffic along the river. Many landowners at this time refused permission for the towpath to be built on their land, which accounts for the fact that the path switches from one bank to the other along its course. For those seeking rural tranquility, walks upstream from Oxford are more remote, as the narrow river flows through water meadows grazed by sheep and very few towns and villages. Downstream from Oxford, the number of towns and villages increases substantially and the river becomes ever busier with picnickers, fishermen and pleasure boats. From Teddington Lock, on the western reaches of London, the river becomes tidal and its waters a mixture of fresh and seawater.

A key attraction of walking in the Thames Valley lies in the rich wildlife: flowers such as marsh marigold, flag iris and purple loosestrife add colour in spring and summer and willow provides picturesque charm throughout the year. Birds include the mute swan, which gives rise to the annual ceremony of Swan Upping, a variety of ducks including mallard, mandarin and wood ducks, plus Canada, Egyptian and bar-headed geese and other water birds such as the great-crested grebe, coot, moorhen, heron and kingfisher. Insects abound in summer, when dragonflies and damselflies can be seen flitting across the water, and common mammals include rabbits, stoats and weasels. The river otter is thankfully returning to the upper reaches but the water vole is still in sad decline.

THE WALKS

The walks featured in this book cover a wide range of different landscapes and points of interest: many follow the Thames itself, passing through well-known riverside towns such as Richmond, Eton, Henley-on-Thames and Goring along the way; others follow the river through more remote regions, such as Buscot and the Cotswold Water Park in Wiltshire. Away from the river itself, some walks take you alongside canals, across peaceful farmland visiting picturesque villages and over rolling chalk downs, from where the views are spectacular, while others explore ancient woods and country house estates. For those in search of wildlife, there are opportunities to visit nature reserves, view red kites and stroll through woodlands carpeted with bluebells in May. There are also special-interest walks, seeking out sites of historic importance such as Runnymede (where Magna Carta was signed), ancient hill forts and chalk marks, or following in the footsteps of famous people, such as Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, designer William Morris and members of the infamous Hell Fire Club.

Many of the routes are waymarked, making them easy to follow, and all are circular, with traditional country pubs along the way where you can stop off for some welcome refreshments. General advice on how to reach your starting point by car is provided, although it is always good to consider whether you can leave the car at home and take public transport instead (check www.traveline.org.uk before you go, especially as some bus services do not run on Sundays). Also provided are suggestions for local attractions that you may wish to combine with your walk, such as nearby gardens, country houses, model villages, railway museums and wildlife parks.

WALKING THE THAMES VALLEY

• Many of the walks may be damp and muddy after rain, so always wear suitable footwear: walking shoes or boots are advisable.

• If you are walking alone, let someone know where you are and when you expect to return.

• Consider taking a mobile phone with you, bearing in mind coverage can be patchy in rural areas.

• It is always advisable to take the relevant Ordnance Survey map with you on country walks, to supplement the maps provided.

• Some of the walks take you along small country lanes without pavements. Always walk facing oncoming traffic (except when approaching a right-hand bend when it is advisable to cross the road for a clear view), keep children and dogs under close control, and wear something light or brightly coloured when visibility is poor (at dusk, for example).

• Take special care of children beside water, particularly alongside canals where the sides can be steep and the water deep.

• Support the rural economy by spending your money in the local facilities, such as shops, cafés and pubs.

• While the author has taken every care to ensure the accuracy of this guidebook, changes to the walking routes may occur after publication.

• Public transport may also change over time, so if you are thinking of taking a bus to your destination, always check timetables and routes online or with local tourist information centres before setting out.

FOLLOW THE COUNTRYSIDE CODE

Here’s how to respect, protect and enjoy the countryside:

• Always park sensibly, making sure that your vehicle is not blocking access to drives, fields and farm tracks.

• Leave gates as you find them or follow instructions on signs. If walking in a group, make sure the last person knows how to leave a gate.

• In fields where crops are growing, follow the paths wherever possible.

• Use gates, stiles or gaps in field boundaries when provided – climbing over walls, hedges and fences causes damage.

• Don’t leave litter and leftover food – it not only spoils the beauty of the countryside but can be dangerous to wildlife and farm animals as well.

• Keep all dogs under strict control, particularly near livestock, and observe any requests to keep dogs on leads. (Remember, by law farmers are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals.)

• Always clean up after your dog and get rid of the mess responsibly.

• Take special care not to damage, destroy or remove flowers, trees or even rocks: they provide homes and food for wildlife, and add to everybody’s enjoyment of the countryside.

• Don’t get too close to wild animals and farm animals as they can behave unpredictably.

• Be careful not to disturb ruins and historic sites.

• Be careful not to drop a match or smouldering cigarette at any time of the year, as this can cause fires.

• Get to know the signs and symbols used in the countryside. Visit the ‘Finding your way’ pages on Natural England’s website for more information*.

___________________________________________

* For full details of the countryside code, visit www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/countrysidecode

Leafy London Walk

RICHMOND, TWICKENHAM AND TEDDINGTON LOCK

This classic riverside walk follows the Thames Path upstream from the beautiful town of Richmond, along the north bank through open parkland and leafy suburbs to Teddington Lock, where you cross over the footbridge for the return journey. As you pass through picturesque meadows, with their tide-washed willows and rich birdsong, you might almost imagine yourself to be in a remote country estate. Along the way, you have the opportunity to visit some historic Thames-side houses, from the Jacobean splendour of Ham House to the Palladian elegance of Marble Hill House.

D

ISTANCE:

9.5km (6 miles) (circular)

T

IME:

Allow 3–4 hours

L

EVEL:

Easy

S

TART/PARKING:

The Square, Richmond (TW9 1BP). Car parking available on Paradise Road, in Old Deer Park off Twickenham Road (A316) or at the station. OS grid reference TQ180749 (OS Explorer map 161)

G

ETTING THERE:

By car:

From central London, take A4/M4 to junction 1, turning off on to A205 South Circular Road; fork right on to A307 into Richmond

By public transport:

Underground to Richmond Station

R

EFRESHMENTS:

Many cafés and pubs in Richmond, White Swan, Twickenham, or Tide End Cottage in Teddington

L

OCAL ATTRACTIONS:

Ham House (National Trust); Marble Hill House (English Heritage); Strawberry Hill

DIRECTIONS

1. From the Square, walk down George Street, then turn left into Hill Street and right over Richmond Bridge. Turn left at the end of the bridge and take the Thames Path down to the riverside. Turn right and follow the path upstream as it leaves the built-up area behind.

2. As the river makes a broad sweep round to the right, look across to the opposite bank where you can see Richmond’s Royal Star & Garter Home rising majestically from the trees. Designed to house disabled ex-servicemen and women, the home gets its name from the old Star & Garter Hotel where it was established in 1916. A little further along the route the river broadens out and you are afforded glorious views of Petersham Meadows at the foot of Richmond Hill.

3. Beyond Glover’s Island you soon pass the entrance to Marble Hill House, the Palladian villa built for Henrietta Howard, mistress of George II. Go under the footbridge into Riverside and the Orleans House Gallery, Richmond Borough’s principle art gallery, which has an Octagon Room designed by leading Georgian architect James Gibbs. Carry on along the lane towards Twickenham, past the charming houses clustered round The White Swan.

4. Pass under another footbridge and take a peek at the riverside gardens belonging to 17th-century York House (owned by Twickenham Council). Pause on entering the Embankment to visit St Mary’s Church where Alexander Pope lies buried in the nave (although his skull is said to have been exhumed). You may also choose to make a brief detour to visit the little shops in Church Lane.

5. Walk down the tree-lined Embankment, with its footbridge to Eel Pie Island, bearing right into Wharf Lane, then sharp left into Cross Deep. At the traffic lights, turn left into Radnor Park, where the seats are well placed to enjoy the view. The war memorial here is specially sited so that it can be seen from Richmond’s Royal Star & Garter Home, along a sight line down Ham House Avenue, which links Twickenham visually with Richmond Hill.

6. Continue to follow the Thames Path out of the gardens and left along Strawberry Vale. Strawberry Hill, a recently restored 18-century Gothic castle created by Horace Walpole, is tucked away here down Waldegrave Road – well worth a visit if you have the time. Strawberry Vale eventually becomes Twickenham Road, which in turn becomes Manor Road. At the crossroads with Teddington High Street, you can take a brief detour to visit the Landmark Art Centre in the cathedral-like church to your right.

7. Turn left down Ferry Road, past The Tide End Cottage pub, and continue over Teddington Lock footbridge to the south bank, enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the lock and weir along the way. Now turn left on to the broad and gravely Thames Path, which runs above the sloping river bank through Ham Lands Nature Reserve, created on gravel pits in-filled with rubble from London’s wartime bomb sites. Ignoring the paths that disappear inland among the trees, follow the path alongside the river, crossing the entrance of the huge lagoon that forms the Thames Young Mariners’ Base.

8. Further on, you will see the Gothic summerhouse of Radnor Park come into view on the far bank, followed by Eel Pie Island and the jetty of the Richmond Boat Yacht Club. Ahead, the skyline seems suddenly taken up by the commanding Royal Star & Garter Home. Before long, the path opens out to the entrance of Ham House, an outstanding survival of a 17th-century Stuart house, which in its heyday was a hotbed of court intrigue.

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