Marlow to Hurley River Walk

This easy riverside walk takes you from Marlow to Hurley along the Thames Path. The route runs for a distance of just over 2 miles on a flat waymarked path.
Walk Report October 15th 2026 By Helen Carter:
We started at Marlow Bridge, one of the town’s best-known landmarks, and headed east along the Thames towards Hurley.... The bridge, with its elegant suspension design and stone towers, makes a lovely starting point, and there were already plenty of people enjoying the river. We soon passed Higginson Park, where the lawns and flowerbeds run down towards the water. I liked the contrast between the busy riverside near the town and the quieter stretches further along the path. The Millennium Maze in the park is worth a look if you have time, and there’s a café nearby for a coffee before setting off or a refreshment stop on the way back.
Following the Thames Path, we were soon surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of the river: swans gliding past, ducks close to the bank and boats moving slowly along the water. I was pleased to spot a grey heron standing motionless at the water’s edge, watching for its next meal. This is a gentle walk without any demanding climbs, so there’s no need to hurry; I found myself stopping often to watch the boats and enjoy the reflections of the trees in the water. After rain, some sections of the towpath can be muddy, so decent walking shoes are a good idea.
Temple Lock was one of my favourite stops. The lock dates back to the eighteenth century and is a fascinating place to watch boats pass through the narrow chamber, with the lock gates and rushing water providing a reminder of how much work goes into managing river traffic. Temple Lock Island and the surrounding channels make this a particularly picturesque part of the Thames, with wooded banks and water flowing over the nearby weirs. It’s easy to linger here, watching the boats make their way through the lock before continuing along the river.
Further along, Hurley Lock has its own distinctive character, with several channels splitting around wooded islands and the sound of water moving over the weirs. I enjoyed looking across the different stretches of river, where the trees and islands give the landscape a more secluded feel. The lock gardens are attractive too, and this is another good place to pause before leaving the riverside to explore Hurley village.
Hurley is a small village with a surprising amount of history. We explored the remains of Hurley Priory, where the surviving Norman features of the church offer a glimpse of its medieval past. The long nave is still used as the parish church, so this isn’t simply a ruin to admire from outside; it remains part of village life. I found it interesting to imagine the Benedictine community that once occupied the site, so close to the river and its important transport route.
We also stopped to look around the grounds of the Olde Bell Inn, which dates back to 1135. The historic buildings, garden and old Tithe Barn make it worth exploring even if you’re not stopping for a meal. The inn has a long list of stories attached to it, from its connections with the priory to its links with famous visitors over the years. I particularly liked the garden setting, which feels a world away from the bustle of Marlow despite being only a short walk along the river.
At just over two miles each way, this is an easy walk with a lot packed into a relatively short distance: Marlow Bridge, the riverside park, two picturesque locks and the historic village of Hurley. We took our time along the river and allowed extra time to explore the priory and the Olde Bell rather than treating Hurley simply as the turnaround point. The return journey gives you another chance to enjoy the river from a different angle, especially if the light has changed during the afternoon.
To extend the walk you could continue onto Henley on our Marlow to Henley Walk.
Pubs and More Info
The Riverside Restaurant in Marlow is a lovely location for some refreshments. There's a fine outdoor terrace which is ideal for warmer days. You can find it right next to Marlow Bridge at a postcode of SL7 1RG for your sat navs.
The Two Brewers is also located near the river in Marlow. The 18th century pub does great food and also has a nice beer garden. You can find it on St. Peter Street at postcode SL7 1NQ.
In Hurley there's The Old Bell. The pub is one of the oldest in the world with a history stretching back to 1135 when it was the guest house for visitors to the nearby Benedictine Hurley Priory. The fine old coaching inn includes a fantastic large garden area and a tithe barn. You can find them on the High Street at postcode SL6 5LX for your sat navs.
Higginson Park in Marlow is a nice place to visit in the town. The popular park attracts 1,000,000 visitors a year and includes riverside views and access to open countryside. There are also many fine trees and large expanses of lawn with formal flowerbeds and a brick in grass maze. It's another good option for refreshments with a nice cafe. You can find the park on the western fringes of the town, next to the river.
In Hurley there's the Hurley Loop Walk which will take you south to the woodland trails in Ashley Hill Forest and the Hurley Chalk Pit Nature Reserve.

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Nearby Routes

Thames Path Marlow to Henley Hurley Loop Walk

Photos

Marlow bridge and church. The bridge was designed by William Tierney Clark, after his successful Hammersmith Bridge was much admired. It was opened in 1832. Rather than replacing it in the 1920's the ironwork was replaced with steel and the towers restored. All Saints Church was built on the site of an earlier one and completed in 1835. The rebuilt spire was restored in 1990-93.

Millennium maze in Higginson Park. The maze is a multi-coloured brick path, laid in the grass and covering an area of about 22 metres diameter and was designed by famous maze-maker Adrian Fisher. At various places in the design, decorative mosaics are used to portray particular images of the history and heritage of Marlow and its significance for the millennium. It was officially opened on 28 October 2000.

Path through Higginson park. In the early 1920s Higginson Park was threatened with a plan to develop riverside housing. A group of local men started a campaign to raise funds to purchase the land and save it from development. In 1926 the land was purchased and then presented to General Sir George Higginson a veteran of the Crimean War. He promptly gave the park to the town.

Temple Lock Island. The apartments on the right are on the lock island. One of the weir streams comes back in below the lock in the centre of the picture. To the left is the "mainland".

Temple Lock keepers hut. All the Thames locks have a hut like these where the keepers check licences and record the passage of boats and operation of the lock. Many sell a few items as well, such as the postcards here, to the people rushing by. However, it was previously a more important staging post, when travel was more leisurely and users of the river were invited to "change here for bath lunch tiffin dinner and supper" all (except the first) being distinct and separate meals.

Temple Lock and Weir

Hurley Lock. Pleasure cruisers heading downstream on a warm Thames-side weekend. The lock gardens are immaculately maintained and are appreciated by many users of the Thames Path which runs past the lock.

Pleasure cruiser heading downstream, passing a narrowboat moored by the Thames Path.

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