Whitchurch-on Thames, Woodcote & Whitchurch Hill. 12 miles (636768, Explorer 171)

Park just south of the Whitchurch toll bridge over the River Thames. Leave car park and turn right over river. Ignore “Thames Path” sign on left and continue ahead along road past road junction signposted Goring Heath and Woodcote. Continue uphill to turn left onto “Thames Path”. Leave asphalt lane, go ahead down steps along stony path to later climb steps and continue along river. At edge of woods turn right uphill to metal gate to enter nature reserve. At top of hill bear left downhill towards metal and wooden gates. Turn left down track and at T-junction turn right up road marked as a bridleway. At top of hill turn left over stile and keep ahead for 30 metres to waymark, cross stile and diagonally over small field to further stile and continue along fenced path. Cross another stile turning left and then right onto broad track. Where track turns sharp right continue ahead over stile to cross field diagonally towards woods.

Cross stile into woods, ignoring all crossing tracks but at T-junction bear right downhill and left onto bridleway. At crossroads turn left uphill following field edge on right to reach metal gate at road. Turn right along road and left onto footpath marked “Elvendon ¼”. At barn bear left onto asphalt drive and continue downhill with views of Elvendon Priory. At gates bear left to follow footpath sign down enclosed path to reach stile at road. Cross road, climb bank and hill to reach stile at top of hill. Cross stile and continue ahead across field to metal gate and cross adjacent stile. Continue along stony track past farm buildings to reach road. Turn right and then left at footpath sign onto the “Chiltern Way Extension” (CWE). At edge of woods turn left to follow white arrows on trees. Ignore all tracks off, to continue along grassy path through woods with field edge on right. Leave woods over stile bearing left across field to reach further stile and road. Turn right and shortly left onto CWE again. Follow right hand edge of field towards woods, and edge of woods to continue along fence to turn right at bottom corner to pass in front of Dean Farm. At end of beech hedge bear right into woods, at T junction bear left and at further T junction bear left again to leave woods and turn right onto footpath towards houses. At road turn left and shortly right onto footpath. At road continue ahead ignoring roads to right and left. At crossroads continue ahead and at next T-junction turn right onto public footpath to reach woods. At crossing track continue ahead for 10 metres bearing right onto indistinct path, which after 20 metres bears left to reach enclosed path with wooden fence on left. Continue ahead to cross stile into field and follow left hand edge of field to reach stile in corner. Cross second field to stile opposite and reach road.

After leaving field turn left along road and where road bends sharply left continue ahead on gravel track. Where track bends right take footpath on left into woods and follow white arrows on trees. At path junction continue ahead to cross stile. At next crossroads turn right down to road. Cross road to take bridleway ahead and at mounds of spoil take indistinct path to left-hand side. Continue through woods and leave woods onto enclosed path down to road. Continue ahead on “Bridle Road”. At T junction turn left, and just before road bends right, take footpath on right. At first junction turn left, and at further junction turn right down to road. Turn right along road and right onto footpath over stile. Pass through swing gate and follow path down to road. Turn right along road taking elevated path running parallel. At end of path cross road taking path on left and at next road turn right and right again at junction. At next road junction turn left, back over bridge to car park. 

If you encounter any problems with this walk please contact Richard or Nick.