Pangbourne - Path Hill - Cold Harbour - Gatehampton - Pangbourne

Jacqueline Brown

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Starting in the busy village of Pangbourne, this walk crosses the Whitchurch Tollbridge (free on foot!), one of the few remaining in the country. It goes through Whitchurch, passing the maze with its information board - worth stopping for a look! Leaving the village, there are views to the right across fields of alpacas towards the river. Later the route rises steeply up the chalk hills and follows a mix of quiet roads and paths through farmland and woods on the Chilterns. This area is renowned for red kites, superb flyers with distinctive forked tails used as rudders. Great Chalk Wood nature area and Hartslock Nature Reserve are crossed, the first with woodland interest, the latter with meadows where orchids grow. The final leg of the route is on the Thames Path, undulating on the NE side of the river and somewhat above it. On reaching Whitchurch the path follows the road down to the bridge.

England - Central England - Oxfordshire - Chilterns

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, National Trust, Play Area, Pub, River, Toilets, Wildlife

7/20/2020 - Gavin Bradshaw

There's quite a lot going on with this walk. You've got lanes, fields, woods and views to experience. These different terrains are well balanced against each other so you end up with a varied and enjoyable walk. Even the "Thames Path" section is interesting as it's like being on a slow moving roller coaster as it undulates up and down and winds through the woods just above the river. It is well worth giving this walk a go.

11/19/2017 - David and Chris Stewart

This walk has been updated by Jackie, with a new photo, after John's previous comment.

9/26/2017 - John Branscombe

A very good walk completed on 24th September 2017. Good instructions but would like to add the following WM 5 and WM 6 - "Private" notice now gone - There is a kissing gate (new) about 150 yds or so before main gate on left. WM 8 - At second field head half right - not a clear path

12/7/2009 - Adrian Perkins

Our thanks to Andrew Long for his updates for this walk. Adrian (Admin)

12/6/2009 - Andrew Long

Great walk on a sunny December day. Views are good too!

7/19/2009 - alex mcgivern

This is a really good walk with plenty of views. It might be worth noting that at point 10 there is now a path on the left leading up the steep hill. This is not the path you want (although it is worth climbing to the top for the view). The instructions might read better: Enter reserve ignore the two paths on the left leading uphill and take the path slightly left, almost straight on over a small rise. You will know you are on the correct path as you pass a small wooden bench. Hope that helps, Alex