The Langtree Team Ministry

Where the Chilterns meet the Thames in the Diocese of Oxford

Rector's Rambles

No 1 St Mary's North Stoke to St John's Mongewell

A gentle linear stroll along the Thames flood plain between two ancient riverside churches. Time: Allow one hour. Distance: 2 miles Level of difficulty: Easy

Park your car in the lane leading to St Mary's Church in the village of North Stoke (off the B road between Wallingford and Goring). Be sure to visit this fine Norman church with its 14th century wall paintings and impressive roof timbers.

To begin your walk, retrace your steps out of the churchyard, past your car, and turn left at the end of the lane into the main village street. You will pass the fine village hall on your left, and the impressive converted mill at the end of the village. When you pass the mill, the lane becomes a track. Follow this track, keeping straight on for about three quarters of a mile, passing through mature farmland, and the Springs golf course.

The track becomes tarmac again as you emerge into a lane, with the former staff accommodation of Carmel College on either side. Continue on until the lane bends to the right and a track continues ahead, with the main entrance to the former college campus on your left. There is a sign saying "Access to St John's Church only" on the left, which you turn to follow. Carmel College is a redundant Jewish college, awaiting redevelopment. The grounds are private, apart from footpath access to the church, strangely subversive in the middle of the campus.

Follow the main drive into the campus, then at the junction take the middle lane signposted "Founder's House". You will also see a small footpath fingerpost. In a few hundred yards, you will approach some houses, one with a "danger keep out" sign.

Immediately in front of this house there is a small path to the left through some trees, which will bring you very shortly to St John's church, Mongewell. This small riverside church, of possibly Norman origins, is redundant, but remains consecreated, despite having no roof over its nave! The chancel is watertight however, and services are still held here very occasionally.

When you have spent a few minutes soaking up the peace of this hidden and secret place, retrace your steps to your parking place at North Stoke.

No 2 St Leonard's Woodcote to St John's Whitchurch Hill (and back).

A circular walk avoiding the busy main roads through beautiful woodland on bridleways and footpaths. The playing field at Whitchurch Hill by the church has seating and play equipment making this walk ideally suited for a family picnic at the half way stage.

Distance: 6 miles Time: Allow 3.5 hours: Level of Difficulty: Easy

Park in the lay by outside St Leonard's Church, Woodcote. Begin the walk by heading towards the cross roads and war memorial, and walk diagonally across the cricket field. At the far side of the field a small stile by a bench takes you into the playing fields of Langtree School. Keeping close to the hedge on your right hand side cross two playing fields, until another stile and a short section of tarmac path bring you out onto a road, near the rear entrance to the Oratory School.

Turn right on the road and follow it for about ¼ mile until you reach the Black Lion pub. Immediately after the pub turn left down a track, signed Greenmore Hill Farm. Follow this track down the gentle hill until you come to a T junction. Turn left which immediately takes you into a wood (Birchen Copse). Follow the left hand edge of the wood (ignoring other paths) and the white arrows on the trees for about ½ mile. At the cross paths take the junction that turns sharp right, and continue through the wood following the white arrows. Ignore all cross paths and tracks and you will eventually emerge onto a lane. Cross directly over (there is a Bridleway sign saying Whitchurch Hill 1 ½ ) and continue straight on for another ½ mile. Again you must cross a lane (care, this one can have fast traffic) and continue down the track straight ahead.

At the mountain of gravel DO NOT follow the track round to the right, but look for the finger post and smaller path which bears to the left of the gravel, and keeps you straight on. After about ½ mile this path emerges from the woodland to a gate and a track. Keeping straight on (watch out for dog mess here) will bring you out to a lane, which you cross over into Bridle Road. (A left turn at this point will bring you in a few yards to the Sun PH, if you have forgotten to pack a picnic). Follow Bridle Road all the way until it ends at a T junction with a phone box. A right turn here will shortly bring you to the centre of Whitchurch Hill, with the playing field on your right. Enter the playing field and cross over to the far side when you are rested and ready to continue your ramble.

St John's Church (see the history elsewhere on this site) is open for worship on Sundays at 8am or 10am, and is a light and bright brick built interior with fine Victorian glass and warm oak pews. You are welcome to wander in the graveyard which is a haven of peace and wildlife.

To begin your return journey, carefully cross the road in front of the church and walk down the concrete track opposite. At Beech Farm follow the footpath signs into the field. At the end of the field the footpath bears right into a wood. The exit from the field is hard to see at first, but it is signed. Keep on walking until you get right into the corner, and you will see it! Follow the larger path in the wood, and at the wicket gate keep left along the fence. Leave the wood by a stile and follow the path across an open field towards Coombe End Farm. The path runs diagonally across three fields keeping the farm on your left and emerges via a stile on the farm track. Turn right and continue along the track until you reach a lane. Cross directly over (there is a sign which says "Right of Way"), pass a pretty thatched cottage, and follow this track for a further ¼ mile until it reaches another lane. Turn right on this lane and continue until you reach the main road, just by the entrance to (another bit of) the Oratory School. Cross the main road with care onto a track (the sign says "Woodcote 1 ½" ) and follow the field edge past the school buildings. Enter the wood in the corner of the field and keep straight on. You will emerge onto a lane, which you should cross with care, and bear slightly left onto a track (blocked to traffic). This is Eastfield Lane which will take you through more woodland and after about ½ mile you will emerge past some pretty cottages at Shirvell's Hill. Turn left down the hill, and after about 100yds cross the stile in the hedge on your right. Keeping at the edge of the wood, cross two fields and two stiles before entering the wood.

Where there is a junction of multiple paths you keep straight on through the wood, keeping the edge of a horse field on your left. This path will emerge onto a track which brings you directly to Woodcote. Cross over to the farther road and turn left. This road after ¼ mile brings you to Woodcote Post Office. Turning right at the junction after the post office will bring you in a few yards back to your starting point at St Leonard's Church.

No 3 St Peter & St Paul Checkendon to St John's Stoke Row (and back).

A wonderful circular walk through glorious beech woodland, on country lanes, bridleways and footpaths. The route takes in the two pretty villages of Checkendon and Stoke Row and their churches. There are good pubs in both villages, and playing fields with children's equipment at both the start and mid way points, making this a very good walk for either a lunch out, or a picnic.

Distance: 4.5 miles Time: Allow 2.5 hours Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Park in the centre of Checkendon outside the church. You should allow time either at the beginning or the end of the walk to visit the beautiful Norman church, with its renowned medieval wall painting, and famous glass. Pause for prayer too, (either for a sure path, or a safe return!).

When you are ready to begin, turn right along the road, towards the Four Horseshoes pub - ideal for lunch on your return, as the walk may be completed in a morning with a fair wind. At the pub, turn left along the lane, signed to Hook End. At the second house on the left, after about ½ a mile, turn left onto a tarmac road, (there is a footpath sign) and head into the woods. Follow the track for another 1/3 of a mile, until just before it divides close to some houses. Fork right onto a narrow woodland footpath (look for the yellow arrow on a beech tree on the right). After 50m you come to a larger track. Turn left then fork right again, so that you are continuing in roughly the same direction as before, heading away from the houses. Follow this path through the wood, passing behind the buildings of Beech Farm. There are white and yellow arrows to guide you, and you should ignore all side paths.

The path winds gently downhill through spectacular beech woodland until you emerge after about half a mile via a single bar gate onto a country lane. Turn left along the lane, then after 20m right onto a footpath that leads up the other side of the shallow valley. (FP signed Stoke Row 1 ½ ) At the top of the slope cross the stile into the wood and continue along the path following the yellow arrows. The path shortly emerges onto a tarmac road at the entrance of Wyfold Riding for the Disabled. Do not enter the stables, but keep on the road, keeping the houses of the Borocourt Estate on your right. After 20m the footpath veers to the left leaving the road and back into the woodland. Follow the yellow arrows, and at a junction of paths turn left to follow the edge of a paddock. After 1/3 of a mile the path emerges onto a bridle way at Neal's Farm. Bear left to pass the farm and its settlement on your right. Cross Neal's Lane, and keep on the bridle track for ½ mile. The track enters woodland, and shortly you will emerge onto a road. Turn left along this road for ¼ mile - take care here, as cars can be speeding, and then left at the cross roads will bring you into the village of Stoke Row, down the main street. Stop at the Cherry Tree, or the Post Office, for refreshments and other sustenance, visit the Maharajah's Well (on the right hand side), and continue on down the street until you reach your destination, St John's Church, on the left. Pause a while to visit this oasis of prayer and peace. Light a candle, thank God for those you love. Leave a pebble behind, as a symbol of leaving the things that burden you in God's care.

When you are ready to begin your journey, return to the road, and retrace your steps a short way to School Lane. Turn down this road, and where it becomes a track continue straight on. After 100m take the clearly fenced path to the right to cross between two paddocks. At the end of the path follow the white arrows to the left into the woodland. Where the path divides keep to the left and go between the posts, the path eventually winding its way gently downhill. At the bottom of the hill you emerge onto a broader track. Here you must turn neither right nor left, but look for the smaller path directly opposite which takes you up the gentle hill on the other side. Follow this narrow path through a smaller wood, which will emerge via a stile into a field. Follow the field edge on your right, and cross another stile into a second field. Cross this field diagonally to the far corner, where white tape marks the path bearing gently to your right. A stile leads onto a fenced and narrow path, which you follow until you pop out onto a track and by keeping on for a few more yards will bring you out to the road proper. Turn left and follow this road for ¼ mile, and you will arrive back at your start point at St Peter & St Paul's Checkendon. (Checkendon Post Office and Shop is a few minutes walk down Whitehall Lane on your left, and it is good to know that the public toilets accessed from the Car Park side of the Village Hall are always open!) I hope you enjoy this walk - do e-mail any comments to me via the contacts page.

No 4 Highmoor to Bix

Whilst not, strictly speaking, an authentic Rector's Ramble, with apologies to the Vicar of Highmoor and Nettlebed, this "alternative" is a super walk, almost entirely in woodland, which can be enjoyed at any time of year. Many different kinds of woodland environment are encountered, offering a wealth of wildlife for the enthusiast to examine, but everybody will enjoy the variety this walk. There is a pub at the beginning/end of the walk for those in need of refreshment or relief, and it has an outside play area for children. Though in my view the woods themselves are a much better playground for all ages…..

Distance: 3.5 miles Time: Allow 2 hours Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Park on the verge of the tarmac lane running away from the B481, adjacent to the pub at Highmoor. Coming from Nettlebed, this lane, and the pub, are on your left. Grid ref: 702848.

Once you have your boots on, follow the lane into the woods, past a number of houses. A little after a large house called Merrimoles, there is a cross ways. The main track veers to the right, but your path is straight ahead, into the depths of Highmoor Common Wood. After about ¼ mile you must look carefully for arrows on a tree on the right hand side, because the footpath you need next is even smaller, and slightly hidden. When you have found it (it leads through a small cleared area of the wood) follow it off to the right, and in a while you will be heading downhill, almost bearing due north. This small path emerges onto a track, which you turn right to follow. You keep on this track for almost a mile, as it progresses gently downhill bordering wood and field towards Bix.

Where a path comes in from the right, keep straight on. When there is a crossing, keep straight on. Eventually, you join a tarmac surface again, and there is a sweeping drive off to the right, signed to Bromsden Farm. About twenty yards past this drive on the right there is a much smaller, less well signed footpath, which follows the edge of the wood away to the right. Take this path to the right, and once more you plunge into woodland. The path follows the wood edge for about ¼ mile, then when farm buildings appear on your left crosses a track, and begins to drop downhill, still going in the same direction. Do not turn right or left, but keep on in the woodland, and you will come to two stiles bordering another track, which you cross over. The path begins to slope away more steeply now, and you cross a further stile, and follow the path down into the wooded valley bottom, where a splendid woodland drive opens up before you.

Follow the drive for about ½ mile, enjoying the plantation woodland, until its end, where the path bends to the right, and then gives you a choice of right, left (uphill), or straight on. Go straight on, with the edge of the wood on your LEFT, and immediately you will move into a wonderful area of mixed deciduous woodland, a huge contrast from the plantation. The path continues for a further ½ mile until a stile brings you out onto some grassy parkland. Keep straight on across the grass, keeping the little copse to your right, crossing a tarmac road, and head for the stile into the wood opposite. This wood is different again, with more sycamore, and rhododendron. Climb the stile into the wood, and follow the narrow path for ¼ mile until another path makes a crossing.

Go straight over and now take great care! About 30 yards after the cross paths the footpath you want veers off half right, and is badly signed by a faded yellow arrow on a beech tree in front of you. The main path you are on veers to the left and attempts to take you downhill - do not go there! Once you have found the narrow way, follow it through almost enchanted woodland, and it will bring you after about 1/3 mile onto a track that you follow to the right out to the (dangerous) main road. Turning right on this for 100yds will bring you back to your car and the beginning of your walk.

No 5: Checkendon, Ipsden, Stoke Row Circuit

This is a good day's walk taking in three of the parish churches in the Langtree Team Ministry in a circuit that may be started at any point. It is a mix of ancient green lane, some footpath, and very quiet country road. There are hostelries in all three villages, so if refreshment is needed it can be found. Toilets, however, are only available in the inns, or at Checkendon. The scenery is varied, from beechwood to chalk downland. Apart from one or two muddy patches, most of this walk is on good surfaced bridle track, making it ideal for the wet winter months.

Distance: 7 miles Time: Allow 5 hours Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Park in the Village Hall car park at Checkendon, or outside the church if space is available. Do take the opportunity to visit St Peter & Paul's church - before your boots get muddied! Leave the graveyard by the far gate (towards Checkendon Court) and turn right onto a footpath which you follow for about half a mile through paddock and woodland. After a sharp right hand bend this path crosses a stile and emerges onto a lane. Turn left down this lane for about 1/3 mile until it starts to drop downhill. At the point where there is a signed track to Hammond's Farm on the left, take the right hand track off the lane. Keep on the main track, which gently climbs through chalk woodland (watch out for the pheasants!) When the track has reached the crest of the hill, it forks - go right. Soon afterwards the track descends steeply; you follow it all the way to the bottom of the hill. This is the tricky bit. You emerge into a clearing at the valley bottom which you must cross and find the small path bearing half left into the woods and uphill again.

There is a sign on a stake near the entrance to the path. Do not go to the gate on your left. This little path climbs and follows the shoulder of the spur through the woods. You must ignore the path to the left to Bottom Farm and after 1/3 mile you will emerge onto a wide track, at a major junction of paths at the crest of the ridge. Keep left onto the Bridle Way - you are now on the top end of Brazier's Lane, a most impressive ancient greenway, which will eventually become a country road. After a mile enjoying the scenery and views on both sides, and passing Brazier's Park house, turn right at the triangle junction onto another lane. Keep on this lane, passing the main entrance to Brazier's, for ¼ mile, until a fingerpost on the left indicates that the footpath runs straight across a field towards the houses of Ipsden Newtown on the horizon.

When we crossed this field the footpath had been over planted with crops - if this is still the case, aim directly for the cream building. Or, if the field is hideously muddy you may stay on the lane and turn left at the cross roads. Either way you will find yourself outside the former school at Ipsden, now a private nursery. Continue on the lane past the school for 30 yards until a footpath sign directs you to the right, and onto the cricket pitch. A very useful all weather seat in the front of the cricket pavilion is an excellent stopping point for refreshments, with a splendid view out towards Wallingford and the iconic Didcot power station.

The path crosses in front of the pavilion and drops down to cross a lane. Continue over the lane onto the bridleway up the other side again, and after ¼ mile you will pass Ipsden War memorial, and come out at St Mary's Church. This church, being relatively close to the A4074 unfortunately has to be kept locked, but the key is available at No 1 Church Cottages immediately outside. Making your exit from church and or graveyard, turn left on the lane, (right if you are facing the church!) and after a few hundred yards, left at the crossroads (to Hailey). In a few more yards turn right on a lane (again signed Hailey). If you are adventurous, the corner of this dog-leg may be cut by a series of small stiles across (again) planted over fields. However you get there, walk up the lane to the hamlet of Hailey. You will come to the King William pub on the left, a good comfort or lunch stop, with excellent views back to the earlier parts of the walk. Continue on the lane. When you pass Hill Farm it becomes a track. At the junction of tracks you must continue straight on - the finger post says "Right of Way" - and climb gently up the ridge, back into the beech woodland of the Chiltern escarpment. A little while after you have entered the woodland the track forks - you must keep left, and at this point, the simple direction "keep on keeping on" will suffice to bring you out at Stoke Row. But that is a bit minimalistic even for me!

The green lane winds gently through Bixmoor Wood and Little Common wood, and will after about a mile find its surface again at Homer Cottage. This is wonderful and isolated walking, but equally good for conversation if you are fortunate to have a companion, as the track is just right for two abreast. Follow the lane past Homer Farm, and on out to the main Checkendon to Nuffield road. Cross this with great care and continue on the track opposite, again signed "Right of way". You will pass through a very muddy and depressing farm, now used as a kind of skip and rubbish centre. Press on regardless, and you will find that the track gives out to a bridle path which runs to the right of a cottage, strangely out of place amidst the junk and refuse. Continue on this Bridle path for a mile. It can be muddy in wet weather, but eventually becomes track, and then lane (Cox's Lane). You will pass Stoke Row farm on your left, and soon the speed limit signs indicate that you are returning to a built up area. If you are desirous of pub or shop for refreshment you must continue straight on the lane until you emerge in Stoke Row opposite the Post Office (The Cherry Tree pub is a few yards to your left) Otherwise the route for the walk leaves Cox's lane by the small path indicated by a fingerpost on the right hand side. This brings you out right alongside the Maharajah's Well, one of Stoke Row's unique features. Do stop awhile and read the story of how water was brought to this very dry village by the generosity of a friendly foreigner.

When you are ready to begin the final leg of your journey leave the Well, and turn right along the road to the church of St John the Evangelist. Again, this is a must visit if you have not already done so, and it is useful to know that it is always open, even in wet weather, and you are welcome to shelter inside should you need to! When you are ready to finish your journey, return to the road, and retrace your steps a short way from the church to School Lane. Turn down this road, and where it becomes a track continue straight on. After 100m take the clearly fenced path to the right to cross between two paddocks. At the end of the path follow the white arrows to the left into the woodland. Where the path divides keep to the left and go between the posts, the path eventually winding its way gently downhill. At the bottom of the hill you emerge onto a broader track. Here you must turn neither right nor left, but look for the smaller path directly opposite which takes you up the gentle hill on the other side. Follow this narrow path through a smaller wood, which will emerge via a stile into a field. Follow the field edge on your right, and cross another stile into a second field. Cross this field diagonally to the far corner, where white tape marks the path bearing gently to your right. A stile leads onto a fenced and narrow path, which you follow until you pop out onto a track and by keeping on for a few more yards will bring you out to the road proper. Turn left and follow this road for ¼ mile, and you will arrive back at your start point at St Peter & St Paul's Checkendon. Refreshments can be purchased at the Post Office in Checkendon, which is down Whitehall Lane, or at the Four Horseshoes, which is a little way along the road beyond the church and village green.

No 6: St Leonard's Woodcote to St Peter & Paul Checkendon Circuit

A pleasant round trip that can be started at either end, which joins Woodcote and Checkendon, by track, field, and lane, and manages to (mostly) avoid the dangerous road connecting the two villages. There are a number of stiles, and some parts can be wet and muddy in the winter months. But the walk itself is very interesting, taking in the hamlet of Exlade Street, the Oratory public school, and some wonderful Chiltern views. Opportunities for refreshment exist at both Checkendon and Woodcote.

Distance: 4 miles Time: Allow 2 hours Level of Difficulty: Easy

Park outside the church of St Peter & Paul in Checkendon (do visit!) and when you are ready to depart walk along the road (left if you face the church), past the Four Horseshoes pub, and continue until a footpath sign and stile on your left (just past the drive of the last house) directs you into a field. The footpath crosses the field diagonally half left to a gap in the hedge. You cross over the bridleway that runs through this thicket, and continue on in the same direction, over a stile into a paddock. Follow the fence for ¼ mile and then by following the field boundary round to the left a short way you will come to a stile which you cross to enter a small copse. The path meanders through this, emerging onto another field at the top of a slope. Follow the left hand field edge downhill, continuing all the way to the bottom between houses, which will pop you out onto Exlade Street. Turn right on the road for 25 yards and then left to follow the footpath up the small rise to the stile on the crest of the ridge. Before crossing this, turn round to take in the panorama of the houses of Exlade Street. Now cross the stile, descend the steep steps and cross the A4074 with great care. Up the other side and over the stile and you are in the grounds of the Oratory School.

Head half right towards the buildings, and then take the road to the left of the HQ of the combined cadet force (by the field gun!). You continue on this road past the imposing frontage of the school, and on through the school buildings, passing the sports centre on your left. You will emerge at the school's rear entrance onto a road, which you cross directly, following the footpath sign. Go between the houses, (you are coming into Woodcote) and cross the broken stile ahead of you. Follow the field boundary to your left - you are in the grounds of Langtree School. Go straight ahead until you emerge via a gap in the hedge into the municipal playing field proper. Turn half right to cross the field and cricket square, heading for the cream coloured village hall building. There are seats and play equipment here, which makes this a good stop for families. St Leonard's Church is the far side of the crossroads ahead of you, and well worth a visit. When you are ready to continue, join the road in front of the village hall, turn left, and then at the nearby crossroads turn right (the road sign says Wallingford). After 50 yds take the small lane on the right (Tidmore Lane) to begin your return leg of the walk.

Follow this for ¼ mile, then take the track on the left, which has a footpath sign. Pass a magical thatched cottage on your right (follow the sign to Field Cottage). Do not enter the drive but look for the stile on the left side which takes you behind the stable block and along the edge of the paddock. Follow this path until one more stile brings you once again to the A4074. Cross with care, and two more stiles and a small field bring you out onto a track. You must ignore the footpath signs and turn right. Following this track, which can be very muddy, and ignoring all deviations, as it winds gently for about a mile, will bring you eventually out onto Hammond's Lane. Follow this tarmac road past a number of pretty cottages, and then turn left at the road junction. Walk with extreme caution along this road for 300yards until a footpath on your left mercifully liberates you from the authorities' derisory attempt at making the road safer. Follow this leafy footpath for another 300yards until a wicket gate on your right gives you access into grassy parkland. Cross the parkland (it is Checkendon Court on your left hand side) heading for the church tower directly ahead of you. Leave the parkland by another wicket gate, turn right onto the gravel drive and this will bring you back to your starting point.

No 7: Goring downlands and riverbank.

A super circuit from Goring on Thames that explores quiet chalk meadows and woodlands before returning to the bustle of the village via the Thames footpath. Opportunities for refreshment and toilets can be found in Goring at the end of the walk. While the walk is easy you are advised to take a map (OS Explorer 171) to avoid going astray in the woods!

Distance: 4 miles Time: Allow 2 hours Level of Difficulty: Easy

Park your car in the small estate "Whitehills Green" which is off the Reading Rd (B4526) leading away from Goring station. Begin by walking uphill in the estate as far as you can go, and then bearing right to lead you on a footpath between hedges out of the estate and onto a parish council owned field. Head diagonally left across this field (slightly uphill) to the gap in the far corner. At the corner follow the path left and uphill. Keep on this chalky way, enjoying splendid views and wildlife, until the noise of the Goring gap is left far behind. You will pass the cemetery, and then eventually the path dips down, and you cross a stile into a wood. (Great Chalk Wood). Follow this path through this very peaceful wood, crossing another stile, and heading gently uphill for ½ mile. Ignore the first two right hand tracks.

When the path bears slightly left, and begins to go downhill, then you take a very sharp right turn, almost doubling back on yourself. (There is a footpath sign on a stake leaning against a tree at the junction - but you'll need to turn round to see it!) In a few hundred yards you leave the wood by a stile, and emerge onto an upland meadow. Cross straight over, heading for the farm. The stile is at the right, by the dungheap. Follow the track, in the same general direction of travel until you reach a field gate, and then find the stile and very narrow footpath on the left by the cottage garden fence which bypasses the farm buildings. (You may need the map for this short section which is narrow and may be overgrown). Two stiles take you across a small garden/paddock, and there is a white five barred gate by the stile to lead you out onto a tarmac lane. Turn right downhill and follow the lane for ¼ mile right to the bottom. At the sharp bend to the right, turn left onto a track, and follow this for a few minutes until a gate and footpath on your right leads onto a chalky knoll. Climb this, and turn at the top to admire the view of the Thames and the Goring gap - it is a great spot for lunch if you have your sandwiches with you.

Head on down the far side of the knoll towards the river, taking care as it is very steep, with rabbit holes, go through a gate and you emerge onto the Thames path. Turn right and follow this path, keeping to the riverside, and in 2 miles you will be back in Goring village. There is only one place where you could miss the path, and that is after ½ mile when you approach the buildings of Gatehampton Manor. The river path turns off left in the paddock area - but it is signed, so you need to watch for the sign "To the River". After enjoying this flat and scenic stroll with boats, trains, and riverside wildlife, at Goring road bridge turn right to reach the road, and follow this road through the centre of the village, pausing for any necessary comfort stops. You will leave the shops behind you again, and the road crosses the main railway line. At the T junction, turn right towards the station, and then left at the pub, to bring you back to the Reading Rd, with the Whitehills Green estate entrance on your right.

Copyright Kevin Davies 2003