Chilterns and Thames Valley

Riverside meadows

Distance: 7 miles
Ascent: 100 metres
Duration: unknown

Walk 17: Henley-on-Thames and Hambleden

Some quick thoughts on the countryside surrounding Henley, which we'd previously avoided because of its "hooray" image:

• Plenty of "private" signs down by the river in town quickly give way to:
• delightful woodland and beautiful sweeping arable fields,
• quiet countryside lanes leading to charming village pubs;
• a thundering weir that interrupts The Thames;
• more villages, and wood-fringed hills;
• peaceful meadows beside the river near
• Temple Island, featured in the London 2012 opening video.

I'm not in a hurry to return to Henley, but walking this circuit was significantly more enjoyable than I'd expected.