Knowl Hill - Warren Row - Hurley - Ashley Hill

Andrew Long

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This is one of those trips to Hurley to visit the village, walk by the River Thames, take in a pub or simply enjoy the picturesque and yet historic villages in the Royal County of Berkshire. However, to get there (and back again), you need to work those legs and lungs with a bit of gentle hill-climbing! Starting in Knowl Hill on the historic Bath Road (A4), this walk takes you up into the woods of Bowsey Hill before dropping down into Warren Row. From here, the walk follows an historic sunken road before coming out onto the busy A4130. Lush meadows are then followed before the River Thames is reached. The course of the river is followed for a while before a short cut is taken to reach the centre of Hurley. The midway point of the walk is the bench next to St Mary's Church (mostly Norman) where the views can be enjoyed. Two Hurley pubs are passed.

The return trip takes the walker up the High Street and past more picturesque houses before climbing the challenging Prospect Hill. Whilst climbing, stop, turn and enjoy the views of Hurley and the Thames. There is no rush. After crossing green fields, the walk gently climbs back into the woods of Ashley Hill. After reaching the summit, the route descends through the woods and more open fields to pass the site of the much missed Knowl Hill Steam Fair, then to reach the A4 and the start of the walk.

There are two significant climbs on this walk. One is up to Bowsey Hill (WM04) and the other is Prospect Hill (WM14). You may get a little puffed, but these should not prove a problem to the average walker if taken gradually.

England - South England - Berkshire - Thames Valley

Features

Birds, Church, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Public Transport, River, Woodland

6/15/2021 - Andrew Long

Walk reviewed and updated by the contributor on a warm June day. No mud to worry about and there were many woodland stretches where you are sheltered from the sun. I could not work out whether the Black Boys pub was open or not - feedback please.

3/24/2012 - Walkingworld Admin

Our thanks to John Peniket for his update for this walk. March 2012. Adrian (Admin)

3/23/2012 - John Peniket

We really enjoyed this walk although I agree there were quite a few dull stretches through the woods and gravel works, and a couple of very long stretches of straight bridleway. No one need be put off by the climb, which was mostly gentle with easy walking surface. We walked it at the end of the exceptionally dry winter of 2012, so it could be muddy next year.

6/4/2011 - Patricia Daw

4/6/11- Tricia Daw An excellently directed walk - we didn't go wrong once and the only time we referred to the map was when the directions wanted to turn us off the Thames Path when we'd only just joined it. We carried on, had a picnic by the Thames on a bench, and then walked to Hurley Lock (public loo near lock itself) and then returned over the bridge to walk into Hurley. For me there was a bit too much walking in woods, pleasant tho' they were, hence the three star rating.

6/1/2011 - Julie Barclay

A lovely walk. The hills are steep, but well worth the climbs. This was our first WalkingWorld walk and we were very impressed with the instructions which were very easy to follow. The majority of the walk is in woodland or fields and for most of it all we could hear was bird song. We stopped at Ye Olde Bell in Hurley for a drink (a bit pricey!). Looking forward to trying the next one now.

2/27/2011 - Andrew Long

27 Feb 2011 - walk reviewed and updated by Author.