Thames Path - Reading to Goring (★★★☆☆)

On my third of five days walking the Thames Path, I am today walking from Reading to Goring - which is set to be the shortest day of walking of the five days. 

Originally I had planned to finish in Chorley (very slightly further down the Thames), but even before setting out I have decided to further shorten the day, as it is set to be a very wet day.

With the previous day having been fairly long as I sought to join up Maidenhead and Reading, this was in any case intended to be a shorter day of walking.

Once outside the core of Reading, the route heads along a tarmac shared cycle/walking path, and whilst normally this wouldn't be my preference, with it already being wet underfoot today, I'm happy enough to have this choice of path.

Caversham Bridge on the way out of Reading

From here we head out past open fields to the left, and then the river tucks in to meet up with the route of the railway line - where we once again come across another set of static boats along the river.

But we are not heading along the river for too long in this stretch, and soon we head up over a tall bridge, which takes us up into Tilehurst - and from here the Thames Path continues on through the suburbs, until we head off down a track towards Mapledurham Lock.

You cannot see it from the path, but here you will also find Mapledurham House, which is another of the many houses that claim to be the inspiration for Toad Hall from The Wind in the Willows (more on this in a few miles).

Mapledurham Lock

And it is definitely a wet one today, but here at least the benches sit tucked slightly into the hedges, and so I decide that this is the best spot to break out the food, and get myself fueled up for the day.

After a bit of a soggy breakfast, we continue on across the fields - but there is a bit of shape to the scenery along this stretch - and as we bend on a wide arc towards Pangbourne, the scenery reaches the high point of the day so far.

And it is here that we past the third (and final) of the houses claiming to be inspiration for Toad Hall (in The Wind in the Willows), as we pass by Hardwick Hall - which you just about get sight of as you pass by.

View out as I head along toward Pangbourne

On the run up into Pangbourne the going is pleasant enough, and I encounter one of the many herons that live along this river (with this one being good enough to stay and have it's photo taken).

A heron

And from here, the path meets up with the road and heads over Whitchurch Bridge - which is a toll bridge for those with four wheels, but for us pedestrians it is completely free (also free for cyclists and motorcyclists).

First half of the crossing

Second half of the crossing

The route then cuts up through Whitchurch - going round via the church - which becomes my second halt point of the day - with this being another of the pretty little old churches you find all the way along the river.

With that rest complete, we follow the road out of town - and this then climbs up a hill that ascends more steeply the further up we get, before we turn left down a pretty little lane.

Up here, we are some way away from the river, and currently making my way around Coombe Park - but with that estate now cleared, the path begins to drop down to resume it's former position along the river side.

This begins a wooded section along the Thames that continues on until the river starts to bend round and head west.

Heading through the trees

Released from this wooded section, the path starts to take a slightly muddy route across fields, heading under the railway, and then turning north towards Goring.

And here we hit another of those diversions that push us up into Goring itself far earlier than intended (I had intended to cut up at Goring Bridge), and we head off to Goring to catch a train back towards Reading).

Total Distance: 12.2 miles (11.0 miles on the Thames Path)

Total Ascent: 473 feet (407 feet on the Thames Path)

Enjoyment Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ ★ ★ / 5

Click to read the write up for the next day of walking, continuing on up the Thames Path from Goring to Abingdon.

Disclaimer: This writeup provides a narrative of what to expect rather than a route guide to follow. The route is covered by the 175 OS Landranger map - while there is also a Thames Path guidebook which includes OS mapping (links redirect to Amazon). The route is in general well way-marked.