We’re off to the Walthams!, 10 miles, easy/moderate

Calendar

When:

June 29, 2024 @ 11:00 am – 4:45 pm

2024-06-29T11:00:00+01:00

2024-06-29T16:45:00+01:00

Where:

Ockwells Park car park
Maidenhead SL6 3AA
UK

Contact:

Jonathan

Walk

Circular easy/moderate medium pace public transport Walk

A 10-mile circular walk exploring the delights of White Waltham and Waltham St Lawrence starting in Ockwells Park, Maidenhead, encompassing open fields, tree-lined bridleways, country lanes and even a pub stop.

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: 56m.

Walk details

The starting point of this walk is Ockwells Park in Cox Green, originally part of the estate belonging to Ockwells Manor, and opened to the public during the 1980s. A large part of the park has been allocated a nature reserve and has a variety of habitats including woodland, open meadow, damp areas and a stream.

We will pass through the park, over a stream and through Little Thrift Wood and onto Thrift Lane. Skirting around Great Thrift Wood, we will eventually arrive in White Waltham. White Waltham was originally proposed as the site of Berkshire’s new town following World War II, however due to containing such good agricultural land and not being on a railway line, the location was changed to Bracknell.

We head through the village, across tracks and lanes to reach our next Waltham of the day – Waltham St Lawrence. This is where we will pause for lunch outside the church, and also hopefully also have the opportunity to have a drink in the garden of the Bell Inn (weather permitting!)

After lunch we will continue our journey along bridleways, skirting around Knowl Hill and crossing the railway to reach Cox Green. It is then a short walk past Ockwells Manor (look out for the tank in the back garden) and back to the start point.

This walk is fairly flat with no real hills, however classified easy/moderate due to the length.

Travel details

By public transport

The number 7 Thames Valley bus departs Maidenhead train station at 10:24 arriving at Brill Close at 10:33. From here it is a short 10–15 minute walk to the start point in the Ockwells Park car park.

By car

Park in the free car park at Ockwells Park.

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.