Pilgrim Routes of the British Isles by Emma J Wells

Author:Emma J Wells
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Crowood Press

An Overview of the Route

The route essentially follows the River Thames and the Thames Path National Trail, beginning at Windsor and finishing at Caversham. Starting at Windsor High Street, beneath the castle walls, the route follows Thames Street to the River Thames, where it runs along the south bank of the river to the A355 and then over to the north bank, which is then followed all the way to Bray Lock, some 6 miles (10km) away.

Keep to the right of the river to Maidenhead; here, cross over to the left, and follow the river to near Cliveden. Then walk inland until you reach Cookham, and rejoin the Thames Path. Just beyond Holy Trinity Church, turn left along the Thames Path, keeping the river to your right. Walk beside Cock Marsh for well over half a mile to the railway bridge, where you cross the river. Then follow a fenced path to Bourne End and on to the marina (Enid Blyton lived here in the 1920s, as did crime writer, Edgar Wallace). The river curves left here, and flows on to Spade Oak Meadow. A few miles from Bourne End, the river bears right and passes underneath the A404 to reach the outskirts of Marlow. Passing the dock at Marlow, you reach All Saints Church, with the suspension bridge to your left. The route is now in the county of Buckinghamshire.

Leaving Marlow, the route runs through Higginson Park; soon after, to the left, is Bisham church and abbey. After passing Hurley Lock a short way beyond, the village of Medmenham is passed on the opposite side of the bank.

Continue along the river crossing three footbridges, then after half a mile, bear left, leaving the river and up to a farm drive. Here, pass beneath Culham Court and then, a short distance ahead, Hambleden Lock. The Upper Thames Rowing Club at Henley-on-Thames is the culmination of the next section, with Temple Island, Fawley Court and Remenham and its church prior to that. Continue by the river, but then leave it to walk past Thameside Court, passing The White House and Rivermead House before entering Lower Shiplake.

The river is again followed from here until a footbridge near the A155, which takes you to the road bridge in Sonning. Continue now by the river to Sonning Lock; soon after the Reading Blue Coat School Boat Club you will approach Reading, with a wide meadow on the left. Passing the start of the Kennet and Avon Canal, continue to Caversham Lock, and then on to Reading Bridge. Pass under the bridge, and continue by the river to Caversham Bridge.

Leave the river here; cross over the bridge, and follow St Peter’s Road to St Peter’s Church and the former Caversham Court. After visiting both, retrace the route back to St Anne’s Road: at the top is Priests Hill with St Anne’s Holy Well. Descend Priests Hill and, at the bottom, continue to the main road to reach St Anne’s Church, to visit Our Lady of Caversham’s shrine.

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