Sunday the 8th of June brought the group to the Bottle and Glass Inn at Binfield, just outside of Henley on Thames, for what promised to be a nice 8½ mile walk around the outskirts of (and indeed the centre of) Henley.
The optional pub lunch at the end of the walk looked like it had enticed a few extra walkers on a fine Sunday morning.
Setting off through Crowsley Park and Bones Woods we eventually encountered the infamous Pack and Prime Lane, so called because of some historical stagecoach encounters with highwaymen in the area (advice of the time was to ‘pack and prime’ pistols for self-preservation). Fortunately we didn’t encounter any highwaymen on the walk so proceeded safely into Henley past Friar Park, home of George Harrison, and past the geologically intriguing Henley Puddingstone.
Once into the town centre we stopped for a quick coffee break with beverages from the fine selection of coffee shops in Henley. Onward towards the Thames and we were walking along the banks not far from where the regatta would be held in a few weeks. There were teams of rowers out on the river getting some practice in for the upcoming event and coming into the summer months many visitors were taking advantage of the many ice cream vendors along the riverfront.
From the banks of the river we then proceeded to Harpsden, a scenic suburb of Henley, and visited the church of St Margaret of Antioch which we noticed on the pre-walk had some conveniences for passing travellers. After the church visit we then made our way up a slight slope through Harpsden Wood heading back toward our starting point of Binfield via The Chiltern Way.
On our return to The Bottle and Glass some of the group visited ‘The Barn’ for Sunday lunch where we had a very long chat about the events of the day, which might have been shorter but for a kitchen malfunction. On the upside, we were in very good company and although it took a while we all got fed and left with good memories of a lovely walk.
Thanks go to Karen for leading a very enjoyable walk, and to Stephen for writing it up.
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