Walking in the Thames Valley offers 25 challenging circular walks around the River Thames and River Kennet in the south of England, taking in the Southern Chilterns, the Berkshire and North Hampshire Downs, Southern Oxfordshire and the eastern edge of Wiltshire. All routes are within easy reach of Reading, Newbury, Abingdon and London. While some walks visit Iron Age hill forts, others pass more modern features such as Wilton Windmill and the Kennet and Avon Canal. Some follow sections of the Ridgeway, while others meander along the banks of the Thames. What they all have in common is that they take the keen rambler to some of the best parts of the Thames Valley - a patchwork of open chalk grassland, broadleaved woodland and farmland and home to two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Walks from 10 to 18 miles, including one 2-day route Shorter, less strenuous alternatives for many of the walks. Detailed route descriptions with information on local points of interest, OS mapping and vibrant colour photographs

Table of Contents:
Introduction Getting Around Food and Drink Accommodation When to Walk Kit Suggestions Walking with Children Using the Guide Maps Access and Rights of Way Long-Distance Routes The Walks Walk 1 Lechlade and a Thames Meander Walk 2 Wiltshire Ridges and Liddington Castle Walk 3 The Bedwyns Walk 4 Fosbury Hill and the Chutes Walk 5 Faringdon's Folly Walk 6 Lambourn Downs: Striding out with horses and dragons Walk 7 Thames Village Meander Walk 8 Hanging Around on Walbury Hill Walk 9 The Letcombe Gallop Walk 10 Wantage and the Village Challenge Walk 11 Farnborough: A poet's hideaway Walk 12 Cold Ash and Hermitage: A writer's retreat Walk 13 Blewbury and its Hillfort Walk 14 Watership Down: A land of rabbits Walk 15 The Pang Valley: A river runs through it Walk 16 Dorchester-on-Thames: An ancient place of worship Walk 17 The Aldworth Giants and Thurle Down Walk 18 The Goring Challenge Walk 19 Oxford Hills and the River Thame Walk 20 Historic Ewelme and Swyncombe Walk 21 Roman around Silchester Walk 22 Chiltern Patchwork Walk 23 Thames and Chilterns Meander Walk 24 Hambledon Valley and a Royal Regatta Walk 25 Cookham and Stanley Spencer Appendix 1 A Brief History Appendix 2 Local Geology Appendix 3 Useful Contacts Appendix 4 Further Reading