A linear walk from Caversham Heights on the outskirts of Reading passing Mapledurham House and Hardwick House, which are close to the Thames, then going to the village of Hill Bottom for lunch. After lunch we go to Cold Harbour and then follow the Chiltern Way through Great Chalk Wood and descend to the station at Goring and Streatley. On the last section of the walk we where we should have a good views of the Thames Valley. The walk passes through some woods for autumn colours. There is are some ascents and descents but they are not too steep. Please note taht this is an altered start point and route from that originally published. Some of the paths originally to be used were very muddy - some mud still to be expected!.
To avoid some urban walking and to ensure that the walk finishes well before dusk, we will take a bus from Reading Station to Caversham Heights alighting at Blagrave Lane.
Recommended train is the Elizabeth line from Tottenham Court Road at 8.41am, Paddington at 8.47am, and Ealing Broadway at 8.56am arriving Reading at 9.40am. I suggest the group meet on the overbridge at Reading Station at the top of the stairs leading to platform 10B (Rear of Hotel Chocolat shop. We will then take an X40 bus from bus stop SB on the south side of Reading Station at 10.05am arriving at Caversham Heights (Blagrave Lane) at about 10.20am
It is recommended that you bring a picnic. There will be a stop at a pub in Hill Bottom for drinks/toilets shortly after lunch. There are tea rooms and pubs in Goring at the end of the walk.