Chairman’s Chiltern Challenge Part 1: Wallingford to Woodcote, 9 miles, challenging

Calendar

When:

August 13, 2022 @ 10:40 am

2022-08-13T10:40:00+01:00

2022-08-13T10:55:00+01:00

Where:

Riverside Car Park, Wallingford
Wallingford OX10 8EB
UK

Cost:

Free

Contact:

Grant A

Walk

Booking Required challenging fast pace Linear public transport Walk

This linear walk from Wallingford follows a good section of the Chiltern Way Extension to Woodcote, stopping for refreshment at pubs in Hailey and Exlade Street.

Booking is required for this walk, via the form here.

Pace: fast. Ascent: 326m.

Walk details

PLEASE NOTE: This walk is thankfully very well shaded but given the expected weather on Saturday, you are strongly recommended to bring a sun hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. The ground is naturally very dry underfoot, but very stony so please make sure you wear comfortable shoes.

Starting out at Wallingford Riverside Car Park, we make our way along the Ridgeway, which is well shaded. We then divert off the Ridgeway to pick up the Chiltern Way Extension to arrive at our first pub of the day for a drink stop at the King William IV pub where we are rewarded of fine views of the hills we will be ascending shortly.

Suitably refreshed, we will enjoy a nice descent down the hill, but folks please don’t think the walk is over, it’s really just getting started. What follows next I would say is a bit of a Chiltern Rollercoaster through, where we go up and down a few times before reaching the plateau. We then loop out round to the east of Woodcote for a drink stop at the Highwayman Inn, before looping back through to Woodcote to catch the bus home (or to your car if you parked in Wallingford) or collect your car (if you parked in Woodcote).

Travel details

By public transport

From Reading: X40 River Rapids bus from Station Road (Stop SB) at 9:35 to Crowmarsh Gifford Church, arriving at 10:34.

From Oxford: X40 River Rapids bus from High Street (Stop T2) at 9:52 to Crowmarsh Gifford Church, arriving at 10:29.

From Didcot: 33 bus from Didcot Parkway station (Stop R2) at 10:00 to Wallingford Market Place (Stop C), arriving at 10:22.

From Woodcote: X40 River Rapids bus from War Memorial at 10:10 to Crowmarsh Gifford Church, arriving at 10:34.

By car

Option 1: Drive to Start (Wallingford) – park in Riverside Car Park (charges apply, see https://www.southoxon.gov.uk/south-oxfordshire-district-council/parking-roads-and-streets/parking/car-parks/wallingford-car-parks/) and take X40 bus back at end of walk.

Option 2: Drive to Finish (Woodcote) – park (free) at Woodcote Recreation Ground or on street if full. Take X40 River Rapids bus at 10:10 from War Memorial to Crowmarsh Gifford Church, arriving at 10:34.

Notes

If you or someone else from your household has COVID-19 symptoms, please do not attend.
Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
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.