This Oxforshire walk includes a pleasant section of walking along the Thames Path with a section across the rolling hills to the north of the river.
Calculated time: 2h45[?] 
Distance : 5.61mi
Vertical gain : 171ft
Vertical drop : 157ft
Highest point : 315ft
Lowest point : 108ft 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Eye and Dunsden
Starting point : N 51.486393° / W 0.924763° (D/A) This walk uses a section of the Thames Path before turning away from the river to cross hills offering views across the outward route. The start is The Flowing Spring where parking is possible for those using the pub (grid ref. SU746767).
After parking exit the car park onto the A415 and turn right, taking the first lane almost immediately on the right. This is Spring Lane which for part of its length has a footpath running parallel to the road. Continue along the lane to reach the B478 (grid ref. SU7487610). Cross over this road with care and take the minor road opposite. Follow this through the outskirts of Sonning Eye. Follow the road as it bends left and then in a few metres take the signed footpath on the right. This leads down to the river and returns to the B478.
(1) Turn right along the B478 and continue for 200 metres crossing a branch of the Thames. Turn left onto the Thame Path (grid ref. SU754757) crossing a footbridge to reach the west bank of the river. You now follow the Thames Path as it meanders alongside the Thames for about two miles passing the islands of Hallsmead Ait and The Lynch. At grid ref. SU768781, just before Shiplake College, leave the Thames Path and bear left along a track. Follow this around to the right and continue ahead to reach the A4155 (grid ref. SU765783). Here bear left and then take the leading off to the right.
(2) Continue along this road for 300 metres to take the footpath on your left which initially follows the access road to Shiplakecourt Farm. Continue ahead along a track where the access road turns left and follow the path across fields to reach a cross track (grid ref. SU753781). Go straight across on the continuation of the right of way crossing a field to Shiplake Copse. Here the route joins a track which continues to meet a road (grid ref. SU743781).
(3) Turn left along the road passing a church on your right. Where the road bends gently to the right (grid ref. SU743778) take the track and signed footpath on your left. After 250 metres at the junction of tracks (grid ref. SU743776) continue ahead a less distinct track that leads in 800 metres back to the A4155 (grid ref. SU747769). Turn right along this main road and the start of the walk is a short distance away on your left (D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 154ft
1 : mi 0.89 - alt. 115ft - Turn right along the B478
2 : mi 3.37 - alt. 194ft - Continue along this road for 300 metres
3 : mi 4.81 - alt. 315ft - Turn left
D/A : mi 5.61 - alt. 167ft
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 3.67/5
Number of opinions : 2
Description quality : 3.5/5
Routemap quality : 3.5/5
Walk interest : 4/5
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 18/07/20
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Really enjoyed this interesting and varied walk taking in the Thames Path, open fields with views, lovely wooded copse, and country lanes. We parked the car and started this walk from Sonning, had picnic on the riverbank by Shiplake College, and called for a pint at The Flowing Spring pub which revived us before completing the walk back to Sonning. (Adjusting the start point saved us having to drive across the busy Sonning bridge.)
The walk was very easy to follow and the only point where you might go wrong is the acute left turn back on yourself at Shiplake Rowing Club. Very glad that there is a field path to avoid walking along the busy A4155.
Many thanks for publishing this walk.
Sorry to read that. We are going to add details and hope it will help to make the routemap clearer.
Cheers,
Aurélie - Community manager.
Global average : 2.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 24/03/19
Description quality
: Average
Routemap quality
: Disappointing
Walk interest
: Average
Route description lacking details. We had to use Google maps more than once to find the route.
The map provided lacks details like street names and it is of poor quality
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
