Stage

What You'll Pass On Route

Map & Stage Distance

Photos of the Stage

Notes on Terrain

1

Hampton Court Palace  to  Staines-upon-Thames

The start is inside the main entrance to Hampton Court Palace. The leg is mainly on the Thames Path. It crosses the Thames at two points, Hampton Court and Walton Bridges.  Diverts on road, through Lower Halliford, Old Shepperton and then again along the Thames, past, Shepperton, Chertsey and Penton Hook Locks to finish at Staines-upon-Thames.  Read More..

Map 1

13 miles

 Photos 1

Mainly flat and easy underfoot along the River Thames Path.

2

Staines-upon-Thames  to  Windsor & Eton Riverside

Mostly towpath & parkland, there's a lot to see. The route crosses Staines Bridge, then follows the Thames to Runnymede. The next 1.2 miles can be muddy when wet. We visit The Jurors, & climb up steps to the John F Kennedy Memorial. The acre of ground around the memorial is officially part of the United States of America. Descend again to visit Magna Carta Memorial and Writ in Water before climbing up to Air Forces' Memorial. Thru' Englefield Green. Soon the long trek thru' the Great Park, then around Windsor Castle to finish at Windsor & Eton Riverside Station.  Read More..

Map 2

10.55 miles

Photos 2

Flat for 3.5 miles on Thames Path & Runnymede. Steps up to & back down from JFK Memorial. Big climb up to Air Forces' Memorial. Good underfoot along Thames Path, thru' park & Windsor Town.

3

Windsor & Eton Riverside  to  Bourne End

The route follows the Thames Path all the way. At times the path can be narrow, so be aware. The route crosses Windsor Bridge to Eton, then turns left to follow the Thames Path past Boveney, Dorney Lake. Oakley Court and Bray Studios are soon visible across the river. Next is Bray Lock, then through Maidenhead, and Cookham to Bourne End.  Read More..

Map 3

11.1 miles

 Photos 3

Flat and good underfoot along Thames Path. Steps up and down at end to cross over footbridge at Bourne End railway bridge.

4

Bourne End  to  West Wycombe

First 2 miles are flat, along the Thames Path & Spade Oak Nature Reserve to Little Marlow. The rest of the stage is tough and very hilly with many steep climbs and mostly off-road thru'the Chiltern Hills. The route goes up around the back of High Wycombe to finish just past the National Trust owned village of West Wycombe at Pedestal Roundabout at junction of A40 and A4010.  Read More..

Map 4

10.7 miles

 Photos 4

Can be muddy through Spade Oak Nature reserve. Very hilly after Little Marlow. Some parts uneven underfoot and can get slippery if wet.

5

West Wycombe  to  Old Amersham

Tough from the start. Big climb up to Downley, then drop down thru' woods before climbing steeply to Hughenden Manor (National Trust). Immediately, descend again to follows Hughenden Stream, then climb up Boss Lane to Great Kingshill & rolling thru' Prestwood to join the South Bucks Way at Little Kingshill and follow it thru' Little Missenden. Then along River Misbourne thru' Shardeloes Estate, before diverting to Old Amersham.  Read More..

Map 5

12.25 miles

 Photos 5

Very hilly for the first 6 miles to Prestwood. Then gently undulating and flat for the rest. Can be muddy in parts.

6

Map 6

8.1 miles

 Photos 6

One of the shorter stages, but hilly from the start & throughout. Lots of fields & forest, can get muddy if wet.

7

Chipperfield  to  St Albans Abbey Station

Starts at Two Brewers Inn, Chipperfield. Passes thru' Kings Langley where we join the Grand Union Canal for a short distance. Then thru' Bedmond & Potters Crouch before descending past the Roman wall into Verulamium Park and past St Albans Cathedral to finish at St Albans Abbey Station.  Read More..

Map 7

9 miles

 Photos 7

Undulating, but with no big hills. Half off-road and half on narrow lanes and paths between houses. Mostly good underfoot.

8

St Albans Abbey Station  to  Hertford East Station

The stage starts at St Albans Abbey Station. Soon joins River Ver Path for 0.65 miles. Climbs to join the Alban Way (old railway line) all the way to and thru' Hatfield. Passes Mill Green Mill and follows Welwyn Centenary Walk thru' a golf course & The Commons Nature Reserve, then joins the Cole Green Way (old railwayline) to Hertford. Goes thru' the old part of this county town, taking in the castle and grounds, then joins the River Lea Navigation to just north of Hertford East Station.  Read More..

Map 8

15.15 miles

 Photos 8

Mainly flat & mostly easy to follow. Steps up to Alban Way at 0.7 m. Flat for 6 miles on Alban Way. Undulating thru' The Commons. Flat along Cole Green Way. A climb & descent into Hertford, then flat to end.

9

Hertford East Station  to  Cheshunt Station

Follows River Lea Navigation thru' Ware, St Margarets, Rye House, Dobbs Weir and Broxbourne, to finish on the River Lea Path a short walk east of Cheshunt Station. It's almost impossible to go off-course, unless you make a decision to jump into the canal or take a path away from it.   Read More..

Map 9

11.45 miles

 Photos 9

Flat and easy underfoot all the way along the River Lea Walk. Also very easy to follow.

10

Cheshunt Station  to  Epping Station

Follows the River Lea Navigation thru' Waltham Abbey & past Enfield Lock. We leave the Lea Valley Walk & join the route of the London Loop for almost 2 miles, along the River Lea, past Enfield Island, thru' Sewardstone Marsh & up into Epping Forest. Then thru' a golf course to Lippitts Hill & onto High Beach. There are a few very hilly miles up to and thru' Epping Forest and Bell Common to finish at Epping Station.   Read More.. 

Map 10

11.65 miles

 Photos 10

The first 3.75 miles are flat on towpath & thru' Sewardstone Marsh. Most of the rest is undulating with some tough climbs, especially up to Lippitts Hill and thru' Epping Forest.

11

Epping Station  to  Chipping Ongar

From Epping Station, we follow the Essex Way for our whole route. Thru' fields and an ancient track to Coopersale Street, then across fields to Gernon Bushes Nature Reserve. Cross over the M11 and go in a straight line towards Toot Hill. Thru' Toot Hill village and fields to Greensted and onto Chipping Ongar. Two videos at YouTube, one by John Rogers and a second by voxley19, both cover this whole walk.   Read More..

Map 11

7.7 miles

 Photos 11

Undulating & can be very muddy in places especially before Toot Hill. Some kissing gates & stiles before and after Toot Hill & maybe some horses. Mainly flat to the end.

12

Chipping Ongar  to  Hutton Village

We divert off the Essex Way to take in some of the history of this old town. Rejoin the Essex Way for a short distance, before leaving it for one last time. Then follow St Peters Way thru' High Ongar & most of the way to Blackmore. We follow St Peter's Way for over a mile to Fryerning then thru' the village & across fields to Mountnessing. Past Begrums water tower, thru' fields & over a railway. A short walk thru' a housing estate & industrial estate to enter Hutton Nature Reserve to soon finish at Hutton Village.  Read More..

Map 12

12.15 miles

 Photos 12

The route is mainly flat or gently undulating. It crosses many fields where generally the paths are good and well defined. However, if wet or not maintained properly, can be muddy and slow you down.

13

Hutton Village  to  Thames Chase Forest Centre

From wooden bus-stop we follow Hutton Village, then off-road to old church. We go cross-country to Ingrave, past the huge pile of Thorndon House & thru' Thorndon Park North. As well as the park, the route takes in many other properties owned by the Thames Chase Community Forest, including Warley Gap, Codham Hall Woods & Franks Wood. We pass thru' Little Warley, Great Warley and skirt the outside of Upminster on our way to the finish at the Thames Chase Forest Centre at Broadfields Farm.  Read More..

Map 13

10.85 miles

 Photos 13

Mainly flat. Parts can be muddy. Motorway construction traffic at 8.8 miles. High metal stiles at level crossing at 10 miles BEWARE FAST TRAINS. Take care crossing golf course at end of stage

14

Thames Chase Forest Centre  to  Chafford Hundred Station

Starts at Thames Chase Forest Centre, the headquarters of the Thames Chase Community Forest, at Broadfields Farm. Route passes thru' the old village of Cranham, then Cranham Marsh Nature Reserve, Corbets Tey, Belhus Country Park, Belhus Chase & the town of Aveley. For the last two miles we follow the Mardyke Way thru' Davy Down, then thru' Stifford Green and Warren Gorge Nature Reserve to finish at Chafford Hundre Railway Station.  Read More..

Map 14

11.0 miles

 Photos 14

The route is basically flat or gently undulating apart from thru' Warren Gorge Nature Reserve. Only things to slow you down are stiles & some places becoming wet and muddy.

15

Stone Crossing Station  to  Dartford Station

From start we go north to soon join a path along the River Thames. Then turn left & upstream along the riverbank, soon under the towering Queen Elizabeth 2 Bridge which takes the M25 over the Thames. The River Thames is wide here & industry is evident, mainly on the opposite bank. At 3.5 miles we join the Darent Valley Path near the large Darent Creek Flood Barrier. We follow the path all the way to the finish, near Dartford Station.  Read More..

Map 15

6.75 miles

 Photos 15

Flat going upstream along wider River Thames to join Darent Valley Path at Dartford Creek. Animals maybe encountered on fields north of Dartford. Can be muddy in places.

16

Dartford Station  to  Shoreham Station

We follow Darent Valley Path thru' Dartford, Central Park & past Brooklands Lake. Thru' the villages of Darenth, Farningham & Eynsford. A big climb up past Eagle Heights & drop back down past the Roman Villa remains. Then past Lullingstone Castle. Lullingstone Park Visitor's Centre, Shoreham Castle Farm and thru' fields to and thru' Shoreham village to finish near Shoreham Station.   Read More..

Map 16

11.4 miles

 Photos 16

Mainly flat, can be muddy in places. Short climb thru' Farningham up to Sparepenny Lane. Steep climb at 7.5 miles, then a drop to Roman Villa. Flat & gently undulating to end.

17

Shoreham Station  to  Westmore Green, Tatsfield

Follow Darent Valley Path across Darent Valley Golf Club, but where it turns left we continue straight on to quaint village of Otford. We join the North Downs Way & also soon rejoin the Darent Valley Path. At Dunton Green say goodbye to the Darent Valley Path  for the last time. After half a mile we divert from the North Downs Way to take in Chevening Church and Park. Later we follow the Pilgrims Way along narrow country lanes, then back onto the North Downs Way, before diverting along the Tandridge Border Path thru' Park Wood Golf Club and past the lonely old St Mary's Church to the finish at Westmore Green.  Read More...

Map 17

11.2 miles

 Photos 17

First 5 miles is gently undulation along river paths & through fields. A huge climb after 5 miles followed by a rapid descent. Mainly Flat along the Pilgrims Way (road) from 6.3 to 8.7 miles, then hilly to the finish.  Expect a few stiles and gates.

18

Tatsfield  to  Merstham Station

The route is undulating and hilly at times. In the main we follow the Pilgrims and North Downs Ways, but with a few diversions. Expect a few good climbs and one of the most impressive descents of the whole walk. Along the route you'll encounter: dark secrets; stately homes; Roman roads; ancient Celtic Temples; one of the UK's largest vineyards; the highest point on the North Downs Ridge; some great views to the north over London and south across Surrey and the Weald; the odd helicopter parked in front gardens; relics from world wars; our industrial past and great storms.  Read More...

Map 18

11.05 miles

 Photos 18

Climbs gently for first 1.2 miles. Some good climbs and descents. In general the path is good, but some bits can be muddy. Expect some gates and stiles, plus steps at 4 and 6.5 miles.

19

Merstham Station  to  Box Hill & Westhumble Station

After 0.2 miles we join the the North Downs Way past Merstham Cricket Club, across Reigate Hill Golf Club, then throu' the Royal Alexandra & Albert School at Gatton Park, and up on to Reigate Hill. At Buckland Heights we divert from the NDW to stay on top of the Downs escarpment passing a few very impressive properties and some great views. At Pebble Coombe we join an ancient trackway along Tye Lane to Headley Village. Then divert south through Headley Heath to rejoin the NDW to the Boxhill Information Centre. We follow "The Old Road" past Box Hill Fort and down to Burford Bridge, then under the A24 to finish at Box Hill & Westhumble Station   Read More... 

Map 19

11.4 miles

 Photos 19

Mixture of flat, hills & undulating. A gradually 2 mile climb to Reigate Hill. It then undulates gently with a few short sharp climbs & descents. Path is good but can get muddy in places. A long steep descent from Box Hill. Some gates, stiles & steps.

20

Box Hill & Westhumble Station  to  East Clandon

From the start we climb thru' the village of Westhumble and up onto the Downs behind Denbies Vineyard. Here we join the North Downs Way and follow it for almost 8 miles. There are great views over the vineyard and to the south. We pass the impressive St Barnabas' Church, and few World War 2 pill boxes. From West Hanger picnic area we continue along the North Downs Way for just over half a mile then turn right to go north and gradually downhill off the Downs. On the descent enjoy the views of West London and Heathrow Airport to the right and Woking in front. You can also stop off for refreshments at the Tillingbourne Brewery at Old Scotland Farm. It's a beautiful route, but be warned, it's hilly.  Read More...

Map 20

10.4 miles

 Photos 20

A gentle climb thru' Westhumble to Chapel Farm, then a long tough climb to join the ND Way above Denbies. From here it is flat for a while, but does climb and fall near the top of the escarpment. The last 1.6 miles. Expect some gates, stiles & steps along the route. 

21

East Clandon  to  Walton Bridge

We pass thru' the picturesque village of East Clandon, then thru' the Ryde Estate where we join the Fox Way and stay with it to Walsham Lock. Along lanes past Ockham to the historic village of Ripley. We follow a path across the Green then turn left to join the River Wey Navigation at Walsham Lock. We follow the Wey, mainly surrounded by green open space and pasture, thru' West Byfleet, New Haw, Addlestone and Weybridge to Thames Lock. Our route then joins the Desborough Cut to finish on the River Thames at Walton Bridge.  Read More...

Map 21

12.45 miles

 Photos 21

Mainly flat and easy underfoot. It can get muddy approaching the Ryde Estate. The last 8 miles follow good footpaths along the River Wey Navigation and the Desborough Cut of the River Thames.

22

Walton Bridge  to  Hampton Court Maze

The route crosses the River Thames, going firstly north for half a mile to the Fordbridge Roundabout, then east thru' Lower Sunbury, past the Hampton Waterworks and through Hampton Village. We then follow a scenic route through Bushy Park and finish in the middle of the maze in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. It's a bit of a strange way to finish the walk, but you'll enjoy the scenery and the places you pass on route.  Read More...

Map 22

9.1 miles

 Photos 22

Flat and easy underfoot. On pavements for the first 4.5 miles then through Bushy Park before finishing in Hampton Court Maze.

Whole Route

Hampton Court Palace  to  Hampton Court Maze

This is a new footpath around the Green Belt of London. It is 238.3 miles long and starts and finishes at Hampton Court Palace. It has been developed over the last 25 year.  Read More ...

Map of the Whole Route

238.4 miles