3 Thames Path Walks from Henley-on-Thames

The Thames Path runs right through the middle of Henley life. From Henley Bridge the towpath runs in two directions, downstream towards Marlow and upstream towards Reading, and both ways are flat, well signed and almost impossible to get wrong. These are the three walks locals actually do, from a gentle hour along the Regatta course to a one way trek with the train home.

1. Henley to Hambleden Lock and Mill End

• Distance: About 2.5 miles (4 km) each way, 5 miles (8 km) there and back
• Time: Around 1 hour each way, allow 2 to 2.5 hours for the round trip
• Start: Henley Bridge, at the end of Hart Street
• Terrain: Flat towpath, mostly firm underfoot

Cross Henley Bridge to the Berkshire bank, turn left by the Regatta headquarters and follow the Thames Path signs. The path runs dead straight along the Regatta reach, past the finish line and Temple Island, before bending with the river towards the lock. Across the water is Greenlands, the white mansion that was once the home of W. H. Smith.

At Hambleden Lock you can cross the walkways over the weir, where white water canoeists practise when the river is running fast, and step off at Mill End. Walkers with energy left can stroll on into Hambleden village before turning for home along the same path. It suits families and anyone who wants a proper destination, boats to watch and no hills in between.

2. Henley to Shiplake, with the train back

• Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) one way
• Time: About 1 to 1.5 hours, then roughly 4 minutes on the train
• Start: Henley station, or Mill Meadows by the river
• Terrain: Level throughout, wide tarmac path as far as Marsh Lock, then grass meadows that can be muddy

Leave Henley station, drop down to the riverfront and turn right, upstream, through Mill Meadows. The wide tarmac path is level and easy going as far as Marsh Lock. Look for the flood marks on the lock keeper's cottage, the oldest dating back to 1894. Note that the footbridge at Marsh Lock is currently closed, and a signed diversion runs along the A4155, so follow the diversion signs at the lock (see Before you go). Beyond it, grass meadows carry you the rest of the way to Lower Shiplake.

The reward for walking one way is the ride back. Shiplake station sits on the Henley branch line, trains run about every 30 minutes for much of the day, and the journey back to Henley takes roughly 4 minutes. There is a pub in Lower Shiplake if you time it right, and the whole outing suits anyone who likes a point to point walk without retracing their steps.

3. Temple Island and Remenham, the Regatta course

• Distance: About 3 miles (4.8 km) there and back
• Time: 1 to 1.5 hours with stops
• Start: Henley Bridge
• Terrain: Flat towpath, with a short lane up to Remenham church

This is the classic Henley stroll, out along the most famous rowing water in the world and back again. From the bridge you pass the Regatta headquarters and the Leander Club, then the course finish line. Partway along, a short lane climbs into Remenham, the village on the Berkshire bank, where the little church of St Nicholas is built in traditional brick and flint.

Temple Island sits in mid river, crowned by its small temple folly, built in 1771 to a design by James Wyatt. The island marks the start of the Regatta course and is private, leased to the Regatta, so the view from the towpath is the one to enjoy. Turn back here, watch the crews train, and wander home the same way.

Before you go

• After heavy rain, stretches of towpath flood or turn to deep mud, especially the grass meadows on the Shiplake walk. Check conditions before you go and wear boots in winter.
• The footbridge at Marsh Lock, on the Shiplake route, has been closed on safety grounds, with a signed diversion of about 3 miles along the A4155 pavements. Check the National Trails page for the latest position before setting off.
• Walking towards Marlow instead? Temple Footbridge, which carries the path between Hurley and Marlow, has been closed since May 2023 and the Environment Agency has decided it needs a full replacement. The Henley to Marlow walk is disrupted until it reopens, and the nearest Thames crossing is Henley Bridge.
• In Regatta week, usually early July, a short stretch of path beside the course closes and a parallel route is signposted.
• Trains from Shiplake run on the Henley branch line, the Regatta Line, towards Twyford. Check the last train before you rely on it.

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Header photo: Chadjj, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.