Oxfordshire - Walk 1

Wallingford and William the Conqueror's Castle

Length	7.8 miles
Parking	Parking at St Mary's church, Cholsey, OX10 9PP
Eating & Drinking	Le Clos, Wallingford - good for lunch and a glass of fine wine! The Old Post Office in Wallingford market square. In terms of cafes both Ribizli and Bean & Brew in Wallingford are good.
Route	From the car park head across the road through the gate and diagonally across the field. Follow the path next to the railway line, crossing five more stiles at A to reach a track crossing the railway. Turn right here and walk along to the A4130, crossing it and reaching a stile which leads to a grassy path crossing fields. Approach Winterbrook at B and turn left when you get to the road. Pass Winterbrook House as you follow the Reading road for 350 yards. Turn right onto a tarmac path with a tributary stream of the Thames on you right. Follow the riverside path into Wallingford town centre. Turn right onto the High street passing the Lamb Arcade and the George Hotel at C. Pass the Boat House pub and cross the bridge over the Thames. Continue along the road and at the traffic lights turn right into a field. Veer left into the corner of the field where a footpath continues lined by hedgerows on either side. The river and adjacent meadows will be on your right. Continue along this path until it gives way to open fields. Turn right at point D when the path joins a junction with a concrete track. Head toward the buildings on Newnham farm. Keep left and walk along the track past St Mary's church. Continue along a tree-lined bridleway. Approaching the A4130 veer right and walk on the pavement alongside the road and over the river. Once over the bridge follow the path down to the riverside on the right. Turn right and walk with the river on your left. Follow the path next to the river for several miles passing point E. Eventually you will reach Cholsey Marsh Nature Reserve where you turn right off the path onto a track at point F. Keep on this track which takes you back into Cholsey, passing the Morning Star pub on the left. Cross Station road into West End at point G. Avoid the railway bridge and bridleway as the road curves right and head for Sandy Lane. Turn left opposite it onto an enclosed footpath, avoiding a footbridge on the right. Pass under the Cholsey and Wallingford railway and turn immediately right at a bridge over a stream. Walk alongside the railway to a kissing gate. Skirt the next field and head towards the church, there is another gate to cross. Cross the field to the churchyard. To visit Agatha Christie's grave and its imposing headstone, keep to the left of the church and it will be found next to the back wall. Return to the car park.
Notes	Go North at point C to visit the Wallingford Castle gardens.
GPX Download	Wallingford and William the Conqueror's Castle.zip

Wallingford Castle gardens, Oxfordshire