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Goring River Walk

11.2 miles (18 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This riverside village in South Oxfordshire is ideally located for walking with two National Trails passing through the area. Both The Ridgeway and the Thames Path head through the village and are a great way to explore the river and the surrounding countryside. The noteworthy village was named Oxfordshire's Village of the Year in 2009 and also has an interesting church with parts dating from the 13th century.
This circular walk uses both waymarked trails to take you along both sides of the River Thames. You'll pass through two counties as in this area the river bisects Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
Starting on the eastern side of the river at Goring Bridge, the route first heads north along the Ridgeway to South Stoke and North Stoke. At Mongewell you cross to the other side, although you could continue to nearby Wallingford if you prefer.
On the western side of the river you pick up the Thames Path and follow it south. You'll pass the Berkshire settlements of Moulsford and Streatley, before crossing Goring Bridge to return to Goring. At Streatley you will pass the lovely riverside Swan Inn, which is a great place to sit outside and enjoy refreshments in the summer months.
To continue your walking in the village you can pick up the The Swan's Way long distance trail. The shared cycling and walking trail starts in Goring and runs all the way to Salcey Forest.
You can also continue along the Ridgeway and explore the surrounding Chilterns countryside. Our Streatley Circular Walk will take you up into the hills to the west of the village. Heading south along the thames will take you to Pangbourne and the lovely Mapledurham House.

Goring OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Goring Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Goring

  • The Ridgeway - Step back in time on this wonderful 85 mile route which follows an ancient chalk ridge route used by prehistoric man The trail starts at Overton Hill in Wiltshire on the edge of the Marlborough Downs and heads east through the Chiltern Hills to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire
  • Thames Path - Starting at the Source of the Thames at Thames Head in Gloucestershire, follow the iconic river through beautiful countryside and historic towns to the city of London.
  • Wallingford Circular Walk - This circular walk explores the countryside surrounding the riverside Oxfordshire town of Wallingford
  • The Swan's Way - The Swan's Way long distance bridleroute runs from Salcey Forest in the north to Goring on Thames in the south, a distance of 65 miles (105km)
  • Pangbourne Circular Walk - This nice 3 mile circular walk around the Berkshire village of Pangbourne includes waterside stretches along the River Thames and the River Pang.
    Start the walk from Panbourne train station and then head east along the Thames Path to Pangbourne Meadow
  • Mapledurham House - The Mapledurham estate is a wonderful place for a relaxing afternoon walk
  • Streatley - A circular walk from Streatley, climbing onto the Ridgeway Hills to the west of the town before looping round across Cholsey Downs and returning via the River Thames
  • Blewbury - This walk from the Oxfordshire village of Blewbury visits the Iron Age Hillfort at Blewburton Hill
  • Pangbourne to Goring Walk - This walk follows a section of the Thames Path National Trail from Pangbourne in Berkshire to Goring in South Oxfordshire
  • Woodcote - This South Oxfordshire based village is a nice place to start a woodland and countryside walk
  • Aldworth - This rural village in Berkshire sits just to the west of Streatley, near the border with Oxfordshire.
  • Moulsford - This South Oxfordshire based village is located on the River Thames near Streatley and Wallingford.

Photos

The River Thames, Goring - geograph.org.uk - 695714

The River Thames, Goring Looking upstream from the Oxfordshire side of the river. The wooded hill is part of the Holies, a National Trust property.

Goring On Thames (river cottage) - geograph.org.uk - 1440180

Goring On Thames (river cottage) A pretty scene of a river cottage on the western bank of the River Thames.

Goring Bridge

Goring and Streatley Bridge seen from the east bank of the river Thames, looking north. The lock is visible in the background.

Goring Weir - geograph.org.uk - 946304

Goring Weir on the River Thames, viewed from the Berkshire bank. Here the weir at Goring drops the level of the Thames by almost six feet. On the far bank is the lock-keeper's house.

Ridgeway approaching South Stoke - geograph.org.uk - 592151

Ridgeway approaching South Stoke Beside the Thames, and approaching the village from the north.

Moulsford Bridge, River Thames - geograph.org.uk - 36216

Moulsford Railway Bridge over the River Thames, viewed from playing fields on the northern edge of Moulsford village.

River Thames at Streatley - geograph.org.uk - 337061

River Thames at Streatley. On the Berkshire side of the river, the Swan at Streatley forms the waterfront in front of the weir (below the photographer. The lock is further to the east (right) on the Oxfordshire side of the river. The Oxford barge (blue vessel in the middle) is a permanently moored feature and is available for hire for conferences, receptions and civil weddings.

GoringMill01

Goring, Oxfordshire, with the mill and parish church

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Goring.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Goring.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)