(S/E) From the Town Hall and Market Place walk downhill. At the crossroads, turn left into Bell Street, passing the Old Bell Pub on the right hand side (reputedly one of Henley’s oldest buildings). Ignore the turning on the right (New Street, which leads down to the river) and continue along Bell Street. At the two mini-roundabouts, go straight over the first and bear left at the second (signposted Wallingford and Stonor Park) into Northfield End. Go pass the Quaker Meeting House on the left and then further on the road becomes The Fairmile, an avenue of Turkey oaks and lime trees. Carry straight on for just over 600m until you reach Lambridge Wood Road (opposite a recently planted vineyard).
(1) Turn left into Lambridge Wood Road, and after about 150m take the bridleway on the right marked with a metal fingerpost. (Look carefully for the signpost as it can be partially hidden by laurel bushes. The path is between numbers 6 and 8 Lambridge Wood Road, opposite a large, newly constructed brick and flint wall.) Follow the narrow woodland path uphill (with some fencing on either side) to enter the ancient woodland of Lambridge Woods (a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)). Almost at the top of the slope, turn right (following the white arrow on the tree) and then follow the path as it bears left, along the edge of the wood. Continue along this path, passing two large oak trees on the left hand side. Shortly, the roofs of buildings will be visible on the right hand side. At the junction with path leading down, continue straight ahead (with the deer park on your right).
(2) At the end of this path, turn left along a hard-surfaced lane opposite an attractive cottage with a beautiful garden. Follow the road, passing a converted barn on the right and then through woodland to its junction with a wider road. Go straight ahead on this narrow hedge-lined road (ignoring a steep downhill lane to the right), down a slight slope and up the other side, passing houses on both sides, including Bix Manor and its ancient barn on the right and on the opposite side of the road the Bix Water Tank.
(3) At the junction with the dual carriageway, cross over both lanes of the road with care into Rectory Lane, Bix. Bear right across Bix Common Field, with the church on your left, following the grass path diagonally to the opposite corner.
(4) At the road, bear right and begin to go downhill (White Lane). After a few hundred yards, take the footpath on the right hand side, passing through a wooden kissing gate (set back from the road and near a communications mast) to go sharply downhill on this hard-surfaced leylandii-lined path. Go through the kissing gate, continuing downhill to reach a field. Follow the path around to the left hand edge of the field, through two further kissing gates either side of a small paddock to reach the village of Middle Assendon and the B480. The Rainbow Pub is on your left hand side and a place to take some refreshments.
(5) Cross over the road and take the road opposite (signposted Fawley), turning right onto the Oxfordshire Way after just a few yards. Follow the path uphill, crossing five stiles with fields and paddocks to reach the lane opposite Pond Cottage.
(6) Cross over the lane and continue ahead along the hard-surfaced Oxfordshire Way, passing paddocks on your right hand side and then several large houses on your left. Including Henley Park. As the road bears to the left to go downhill, continue straight ahead through a wooden kissing gate into a large open grassland area (Henley Park).
(7) Follow the clearly marked track through Henley Park (please note that there are almost always sheep on this land and that dogs should be kept on a lead). There are wonderful views to the left towards Hambleden and the River Thames. Continue to follow the track before descending to a wooden kissing gate. Go through the gate to a wide path leading downhill, initially lined with box trees. Keep right as the path branches at the end of the woodland, to continue down a narrow path between two fences with views of The Fairmile and a long brick and flint wall (built by an early owner of Henley Park).
(8) At the end of the path, turn left to rejoin The Fairmile, at Rupert House playing fields. At the two mini-roundabouts, bear right (signposted Maidenhead and the Kenton Theatre) and carry straight on along Bell Street passing Rupert House School on the left.
(9) Turn left down New Street, passing the Kenton Theatre on the left and Hotel du Vin on the right. At the river, follow the road around to the right and on the opposite side of the Thames you will see the Leander Rowing Club.
(10) At the bridge, with the Red Lion Hotel on the right and The Angel pub opposite, turn right up Hart Street, along the raised walkway by the side of St. Mary’s Church. Just before the crossroads, pass the gold post box. (Celebrating the success of the town’s Leander Rowing Club in winning Gold Medals for GB). At the crossroads, go straight over to return to Market Place and the Town Hall directly ahead. (S/E)
