🥾 Walk 336 - Hambleden, Hurley and Temple Locks

On Sunday 24th, we had eleven people turn up on a hot, sunny day for a 12 mile walk around Hambleden, and the Thames Path. We started from the car park on Skirmett Road near Mill End and headed toward Hambleden, where we joined the Shakespeare's Way long distance path.

After ascending a steep woodland path, we crossed a wheat field and left the Shakespeare's Way before it entered Rotten Row. Passing Hutton's Farm and Springfield Farm, we entered Heath Wood, and soon rejoined the Shakespeare's Way and followed it through Homefield Wood and Davenport Wood.

While making our way through the Pullingshill Wood, we found a group of youngsters enjoying themselves on some rope swings. I think they were an organised group, probably doing their Duke of Edinburgh award activities, but had seen an opportunity for some unplanned recreation.

A long and steady downhill path took us down to Temple Lock, where we stopped off for a break, having our picnic lunch on a grassy stretch near the lock. After lunch, we crossed the Thames on an arched footbridge, and began to follow the Thames Path westward, toward Hurley Lock.

Here we stopped at the café by the lock and some had ice creams while others checked the football scores. England were clocking up goal after goal against Panama. Continuing on the Thames Path, we quietly baked in the hot sunshine, but the promise of a refreshing pub-stop spurred us on.

After several miles, we reached the tiny hamlet of Aston, and The Flower Pot pub! Enjoying our drinks in the beer garden, we were amazed how empty this usually crowded place was. Football! After finishing our drinks, we continued on our way to Hambleden Lock - the third and last lock of this walk. From there it was just a short distance back to the car park. See our route on Google Maps.

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