Meandering around Marlow and Bovingdon Green, 10 miles, moderate

Calendar
Register
When:
January 2, 2022 @ 10:15 am
2022-01-02T10:15:00+00:00
2022-01-02T10:30:00+00:00
Where:
Pound Lane Car Park next to the Marlow Museum
Pound Ln
Marlow SL7 2AE
UK
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Jonathan
Walk
Booking Required Circular Limited Spaces (22) moderate public transport Walk

A 10 mile circular walk from Marlow featuring sites of special scientific interest, nature reserves and WW1 training trenches.

Walk details

We head out of Marlow towards Bovingdon Green and through Marlow Common. The ancient Oak trees at Marlow Common are over 100 years old and are home to the Green Tortrix Moth, which in turn is a vital food source supporting a diversity of bird species including the endangered Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreepers and the Nuthatch. Whilst I cannot guarantee we will see any of these birds on our walk, we will pass a family of (wooden) owls.

We will pause for lunch in Homefield Wood, a site of special scientific interest. The reserve is made up of beech, ash, sycamore and whitebeam with glades and open grassland. It is also home to a number of rare orchids, butterflies and moths.

After a brief spell of fields (where we can admire some sheep) we arrive in Pullingshill Wood and a steep climb. This wood features an old WW1 training ground where troops practised trench warfare. The trenches are a very rare example in the UK and were built by various regiments stationed nearby at Bovingdon Green during the early years of the war. More recently, the woods also featured in the film 1996 film, 101 Dalmatians.

We will then make our way past Harleyford golf course back to the bank of the river Thames which we then follow for the last mile or so back to the start point. Although a lot of the walk is relatively flat, there are a couple of climbs in places.

This walk does not include a scheduled pub stop but there are plenty of options available in Marlow.

Travel details

By public transport

There is a train to from Reading departing 09:10 (change in Maidenhead) arriving in Marlow at 09:52. The start point of this walk is a short 12 minute walk away from the station through residential streets.

By car

Parking is available in Pound Lane car park where charges apply.

Notes

  • If you or someone else from your household has COVID-19 symptoms, please do not attend.
  • Please be considerate to other path users and step aside to let people past – and don’t forget to say ‘hi’ or ‘thanks’!
  • Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
  • It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
  • If it’s a rainy day, please bring waterproofs.
  • Please feel free to contact the leader with queries about the walk, or if you are delayed on the day.

Booking details

  • This walk is limited to 22 walkers including the walk leader.
  • Do not turn up for the walk without booking, else we will have to turn you away.
  • Book a place on this walk by completing this Google Form. Booking will open the Wednesday evening before the walk.
  • If you have any queries, please email walkbookings@berkshirewalkers.co.uk.