Historic Wallingford and Agatha Christie, 9.5 miles, easy

Calendar

When:

June 1, 2024 @ 10:30 am – 3:45 pm

2024-06-01T10:30:00+01:00

2024-06-01T15:45:00+01:00

Where:

Wallingford Town Hall
Market Pl
Wallingford OX10 0EG
UK

Contact:

Paul

Walk

Circular easy medium pace public transport Walk

The 9.5-mile circular walk will allow exploration of Wallingford and the Agatha Christie trail.

Advance booking is not required, but if you plan on attending this walk, please indicate this on Meetup if you can, so others can see that there will be plenty of people going.

Pace: medium. Ascent: 72m.

Walk details

Leaving from Wallingford’s Market Place, we will explore some of the history of the picturesque town of Wallingford, which goes back to the English Civil War. This will take us around some historical battlements including the remains of Wallingford Castle. We will then start on the Agatha Christie trail, starting with the recently-installed statue of the writer. The trail will take us past the house in which she lived the later part of her life, and then onto a trail she purportedly like to travel, next to the heritage railway line. It ends with a vist to Christie’s final resting place in the village of Cholsey.

We will continue further into Cholsey, skirting the edge of the Berkshire Downs. This will lead us to Cholsey Meadows, where we will have lunch alongside the river Thames. After lunch we will continue along the Thames path, heading back toward Wallingford, taking in the scenery, atmosphere and wildlife of the Thames.

Travel details

By public transport

The River Rapids X40 leaving Reading Town Centre, Station Road at 09:35 will arrive in Wallingford at 10:22. Coming from Didcot, you can take 33 bus at 09:57 from Didcot, Parkway Station, which will arrive at Wallingford Market Place at 10:25. The walk will not start until after the arrival of both buses.

By car

There are a couple of car parks within a few minutes of the start of the walk (charges will probably apply). Please allow time to park, pay and get to the start point in time for the walk.

Notes

Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
Please feel free to contact the leader with queries about the walk, or if you are delayed on the day.

Booking onto a walk

Most walks do not require advance booking, and you can just turn up on the day. We encourage those comfortable with Meetup to indicate there that you plan to come though, so that others can see there will be plenty of people there – this really helps to encourage new members to come along.
For the few which still have limited numbers, this is handled via Meetup. Follow the link to a walk’s Meetup page (or press 🎟 Register / 🎟 Tickets / 🎟), and mark yourself as attending.
Social and other events may have their own booking system – please see the event description.

Pace Guide

Gentle: led at a gentle pace with regular short breaks for water or rest. Should be suitable for anyone capable of the distance. (Expect 2–2.5 mph.)
Medium: led at an intermediate pace with fewer breaks but still suitable for most walkers. (Expect 2.5–3 mph.)
Fast: led at a quick pace with minimal breaks. May be a challenge for those with less fitness. (Expect 3 mph+.)

Speeds quoted are only a rough guide, including time spent on short water/rest stops and negotiating stiles/gates/roads etc. but not that spent on longer lunch or pub stops.