On Sunday 1st October, twenty-four ramblers met in the NT car park at Cookham Moor. It was lovely to welcome a new walker trying the BWWs out for the first time and to be joined by Molly, a very well behaved black Labrador. The weather was unusually warm for the time of year ~22°C and the car park was very busy, mainly with dog walkers coming and going.
Setting off across the moor towards Cookham village, we soon passed the artist, Stanley Spencer's house, easily spotted by having a blue plaque. Turning left at the end of the High Street, we walked through Holy Trinity churchyard to the wonderful peel of church bells, then followed the path down to the River Thames.
The Thames at Cookham is especially attractive with houses of all shapes, sizes and designs on the opposite bank, including one with life size sculptures of a lion and giraffe in the garden.
After about two miles, we left the Thames and headed south across a field and then west to ascend Winter Hill. This was the first of several ascents and we were rewarded with lovely views over the river towards Marlow.
At the top of Winter Hill, we followed a narrow wooded path parallel to the Thames, which at times felt as if we were walking through a tunnel. Crossing a road, we then entered Quarry Wood with lovely open and undulating paths.
After a somewhat steeper climb, we stopped for lunch where there were several large fallen trees, with plenty of seating for twenty four. The woodland was rather damp and the perfect habitat for some unusual puffball mushrooms, some of which at first sight could easily be mistaken for conkers.
Leaving Quarry Wood, we walked along the edge of a field enjoying the wonderful sight of red kites. We then headed north east to cross Cookham Dean Common before arriving in Cookham Dean with many perfectly manicured hedges lining the road.
On reaching John the Baptist Church, we took a footpath eastwards across fields towards Cookham Rise. Walking past the Cricket Club, we were fortunate to see a vintage car show, displaying many wonderful Citreon 2CVs, together with numerous other makes of cars from the 1930s to the 1970s.
The next leg of our walk was along residential roads to Cookham Station, passing a wonderful mix of interesting houses, quaint cottages and Victorian villas.
After a parade of shops, we headed north and then east on footpaths which took us back to the NT car park at Cookham Moor. Although this was the end of the walk, a number of the group continued across the moor for refreshments at The Crown pub. Having spotted the dessert menu at the bar, some of us also indulged in several delicious desserts, all beautifully presented - they really did taste as good as they looked!
In just 7¾ miles, we'd enjoyed a real mix of different terrains, lovely views and managed 615ft of ascent. See our route on Google Maps.
Thank you to Sue from leading this walk, for writing it up and providing the photos.
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