Walks and Activities
They only know a country who are acquainted with its footpaths. By the roads, indeed, the outside may be seen; but the footpaths go through the heart of the land.
Richard Jefferies
Details of our upcoming walks and course are listed below. We operate flexible booking arrangements on most walks and activities - please get in touch if your preferred walk or course date is not shown and we will see what we can do!
Ghostly Tales from the Riverbank
Ghostly Tales from the Riverbank
Do you believe in ghosts? England is a haunted country and along the River Thames between Henley and Marlow there are plenty of Ghostly Tales from the Riverbank to be told! Discover murderous women, grey ladies, hooded monks, phantoms, headless horsemen, haunted abbeys and pubs, and more! This lovely stretch of the Thames, with the Chiltern Hills forming an impressive backdrop along the way, is hiding some dark secrets!
Walk 1: Henley Circular - 6 miles (10 km)
Walk 2: Hurley to Henley - 7.5 miles (12 km) (return by bus or taxi)
Walk 3: Marlow to Henley - 10 miles (16 km) (return by bus or taxi)
Ghostly Tales from the Riverbank
Do you believe in ghosts? England is a haunted country and along the River Thames between Henley and Marlow there are plenty of Ghostly Tales from the Riverbank to be told! So, don’t be frightened... join us for a fun ghost walk with Old Father Thames as our companion and discover murderous women, grey ladies, hooded monks, phantoms, headless horsemen, old abbeys and royal connections, and more... and (reportedly) the oldest haunted pub in England!
The River Thames is often quoted as being the “Golden Thread through our Nations history”. It is, therefore, no surprise that this is a lovely stretch of the Thames, with the Chiltern Hills forming an impressive backdrop along the way, has so many ghosts and spooky tales and dark secrets associated with it!
3 Walks to choose from - details below.
All routes follow the Thames Path National Trail on mostly good paths and tracks but uneven in parts and can be wet and muddy after rain. Some short sections through town and village. All walks have the option of a refreshment break at a local pub.
If your preferred date is not shown, please get in touch and we will see what we can do.
What’s Included
Experienced local guide
Ghostly tales, and more!
Children welcome but must be capable of walking the distance and be supervised by parents/guardian who shall be responsible for them at all times during the walk..
Can I bring my dog?
Sorry, we do not permit dogs on these walks (other than assistance dogs).
Walk 1: Henley Circular
6 miles (10 km) | 3 - 3.5 hrs | 200 ft (60 m) total ascent | 3 stiles (can be avoided) | Easy
This circular route from the historic riverside market town of Henley takes us along the Thames Path National Trail to Hambleden Mill, returning over the hill via Aston. Along the way we discover the infamous Mary Blandy, a ghost story by Charles Dickens, Zombies and more!
Walk Fee: £20 pp
Private guiding - book this walk as a private group for £120 (up to 6 people) - get in touch to book.
Walk 2: Hurley to Henley
7.5 miles (12 km) | 4 hrs | 100ft (30 m) total ascent | No stiles | Easy
This walk starts from Hurley, a pretty village in Berkshire with many secrets to tell and which has often featured in the popular TV series Midsomer Murders! After discovering the ghostly secrets of Hurley, the Thames Path leads us on toward Aston passing Medmenham Abbey, the first meeting place for notorious Hell Fire Club. From Aston we encounter the ghostly tales of Walk 1.
Walk Fee: £20 pp
Note - we usually start in Hurley and finish in Henley, but the route can easily be done in reverse - let us know if you would prefer this option.
Optional Extra: A special Afternoon Tea at (reportedly) the oldest haunted pub in England can be arranged. Get in touch for more detail.
Walk 3: Marlow to Henley
10 miles (16 km) | 5 - 6 hrs | No significant ascent | Moderate
Experience the complete storybook of our Ghostly Tales from the Riverbank on this full day walk along the River Thames.
This walk starts from Marlow, a delightful riverside town packed with literary connections, including Mary Shelley author of Frankenstein. The Thames Path leads us to Hurley and along this delightful reach of the river we pass Bisham Abbey, a former home of the Knights Templar and thought to be one of the most haunted building in England! Continuing on from Hurley to Henley we encounter the ghostly tales of Walks 1 and 2.
Walk Fee: £25 pp
Note - we usually start in Marlow and finish in Henley, but the route can easily be done in reverse - let us know if you would prefer this option.
Where to Meet
Walk 1: Henley - Town Hall, Market Place, RG9 2AQ
Walk 2: Hurley - The Olde Bell, Hurley High Street, SL6 5LX
Walk 3: Marlow – Pound Lane, Higginson Park café, SL7 2SY
Parking & Public transport:
Car parks available in Henley, Marlow and Hurley
Train:
Henley - GWR services via Twyford to London and Reading
Marlow - GWR services via Maidenhead to London and Reading
Bus:
Arriva 800/850 – Wycombe – Marlow - Henley – Reading
Thames Travel 239 Maidenhead - Hurley - Henley (Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat only)
Participants are responsible for their own travel to/from the agreed meet point for this walk. Cars are left at owners own risk.
