Local Walks
There are beautiful walks in this area. The Thames Path runs through Shiplake and there are many well-marked footpaths in the surrounding countryside.
The Chiltern Way and the Ridgeway are both nearby.
Thames Path Diversion
Marsh Lock Horsebridge is closed pending repair, and the diversion via the Culden Faw estate is no longer available. The new Thames Path route from Shiplake to Henley and vice versa is shown on this map.
For more information and comment see this article in the Henley Standard.
Article created / last edited: 4 April 2024
Important news for Thames Path users - March 2024
The Marsh Lock Horsebridge has been closed for the last two years. To date, this has not been too much of a problem as the the Culden Faw estate has generously permitted a diversion of the Thames Path across its land. However, the estate has now run out of patience with the authorities and is closing the diversion on 31st March 2024. This means that those wishing to walk from Shiplake to Henley and vice versa will have to take a considerably longer route via Harpsden.
The reason for the bridge closure is that structural defects have been identified. The bigger problem is that the three authorities involved (Oxfordshire County Council, Wokingham District Council and the Environment Agency) have not yet determined how the repair cost should be shared, hence the lack of progress.
Article created / last edited: 23 March 2024
Walks from the Centre of Lower Shiplake
The first one is from the village shop in Lower Shiplake and involves following the course of the Thames Path. Start by taking the path to the left immediately over the level crossing and then go along Bolney Road to the riverside and along to Marsh lock. At that point you can continue along into Henley and downstream for miles just following the Thames Path. Alternatively you can turn inland from the lock up Mill Lane, which brings you out on the main A4155 near the Jet garage. There is a footpath once you have crossed that road , past the YMCA to Harpsden road. Turn left there along the road and past Harpsden Church, then turn left and at that corner there is a footpath through the woods that brings you back onto Woodlands road. At a crossroads turn left onto the footpath that brings you back to the A4155 past the old garden centre. Cross the road and take the footpath on the right across to Northfield Avenue and back to the village shop. Four to four and a half miles in total.
Another walk again starts from the shop. You should follow the Thames Path which runs along Mill Road here. At Lashbrook House follow the path across the fields to the river. The journey to Sonning is about three miles. A return journey on the same route is well worth doing as the scenery seems more attractive coming eastwards!
Starting at the corner shop in Lower Shiplake this walk goes along Mill Road as far as the junction with New Road. Opposite the end of New Road, turn left down past the old Lashbrook Chapel. Keep going straight ahead where you will go round the edge of the garden of Lashbrook and into the corner of the field where the path takes you alongside the railway until it becomes necessary to duck one's head in order to get under the railway and into the open fields beyond. This is a lovely open area and leads to the riverside. In the winter it is often impassable and the tow path is under water However, in drier times
There is the opportunity of cutting back inland on a footpath, the old route to the now defunct ferry, which comes straight up to the railway bridge and into Ferry Lane. you can walk by the riverside opposite Henley Sailing Club right round to the railway bridge.
You can progress from the riverside at the bridge back to Ferry Lane and then on to the lock, where you can join up with the Thames Path. The Thames Path, as mentioned earlier, gives you endless miles of walking, mostly by the riverside but it is all worth exploring.
Article created / last edited: 23 March 2014
