Hurley

[AIDY]

Bit of a first post in the Thames forum for me... I'm a sailor really and sailed in the Solent for the last 20 years and now in Mallorca... Anyway we live in bucks the Thames is on our doorstep, never really had any time for it, but as the boats a bit further a field these days we have the spare odd weekend to explore the Thames paths... And sort of get a boating fix.

Done Henley and marlow and just discovered the little gem of Hurley yesterday... Are there any other secret gems on the Thames worth exploring. With good pub.

 

[Actionmat]

We love going to. Hurley, it's one of our favourite spots on the Thames(as long as you don't moor next to a boat with a generator). Wallingford is well worth a visit.

 

[bumperdump]

We love going to. Hurley, it's one of our favourite spots on the Thames(as long as you don't moor next to a boat with a generator). Wallingford is well worth a visit.

wallingfords Great.

 

[oldgit]

As always your doorstep tends to get ignored.Took me years before I bothered have a wander round Chatham Historic Dockyard ,despite never having lived more than a mile or two away from it.

 

[Phill]

If we moor just upstream of Hambledon lock, we walk back and cross the river via the lock and mill, cross the road and walk to Hambledon Village. Try it, you won't be disappointed.

 

[bumperdump]

do you go in the stag and huntsman for refreshments ?

 

[Phill]

do you go in the stag and huntsman for refreshments ?

Well. It'd be rude not to wouldn't it? Great pub.

 

[bumperdump]

We love going to. Hurley, it's one of our favourite spots on the Thames(as long as you don't moor next to a boat with a generator). Wallingford is well worth a visit.

Too right wallingford two weeks back, 6am in the morning narrowboat genny running for two hours.

 

[Andrew M]

The Cliveden reach is quite beautiful, mooring up on the islands is lovely, there's one that, up to when we moved from the river to Solent 2 seasons ago, used to have a gap just big enough to fit 1 boat in, if you got on there you basically had a tiny island all to yourself. But a nice reach wherever you moor on it.

 

[thamesS23]

in terms of secret gems, I would say visit Dorchester on Thames. We didn't visit this village for years despite regually cruising by it, simply because it is set back from the river (a 5 minute walk), but when we did it instantly become a favourite place to visit.
Great pubs, wonderful old buildings, superb little tea room, etc. Even the walk back to the moorings is pleasant with the clumps in the background.

 

[apollo]

in terms of secret gems, I would say visit Dorchester on Thames. We didn't visit this village for years despite regually cruising by it, simply because it is set back from the river (a 5 minute walk), but when we did it instantly become a favourite place to visit.
Great pubs, wonderful old buildings, superb little tea room, etc. Even the walk back to the moorings is pleasant with the clumps in the background.

+1 Moor by the little bridge and walk across the field. Last Pub on the right in high street does nicest food

 

[matt_lake]

+1 Moor by the little bridge and walk across the field. Last Pub on the right in high street does nicest food

+2 for Dorchester. In the summer months you can stop for ice cream at the garden shop and sit to eat with their chickens clucking around your feet. A gentle 5 minute stroll back to the boat across beautiful countryside. Idyllic.

 

[Actionmat]

I've moored at that spot by the little bridge, lowered the tender and gone up the Thame to Dorchester Bridge. It is possible to moor on the opposite side to the town(which means walking over the bridge), but it was a fun way to arrive followed by an excellent pub lunch.

 

[Brayman]

I've moored at that spot by the little bridge, lowered the tender and gone up the Thame to Dorchester Bridge. It is possible to moor on the opposite side to the town(which means walking over the bridge), but it was a fun way to arrive followed by an excellent pub lunch.

It is possible to moor "townside" before the bridge. Just after the last garden mooring there is a short stretch of bank - normally taken by swans but they are a friendly bunch.
Also we found we had to try every pub every year to find out where the best food was as it changes each year. No consistency!!!

 

[boatingdave]

Also we found we had to try every pub every year to find out where the best food was as it changes each year. No consistency!!!

And there, your honour, rests the defence.....

 

[Actionmat]

It is possible to moor "townside" before the bridge. Just after the last garden mooring there is a short stretch of bank - normally taken by swans but they are a friendly bunch.

Thanks for that, very useful to know :encouragement:

Although I'm not sure how friendly the friendly swans will be, when they see me approaching in a dinghy with two Springer spaniels

 

[Chris_d]

There is indeed a public access area at Dorchester as Brayman describes, look for the park bench, good place to launch and retrieve dinghies or canoes.
Many years ago we used to have a mooring at the top of the Thame, at one point we had a 30ft StarCraft moored there, you would be amazed what you can get up there if you know it well

 

[prof pat pending]

Not tried it for a while, but our local radio station has vouchers for the George

http://www.jackfm.co.uk/jack-shop/cat/food-and-drink-2/

 

[Plum]

Well. It'd be rude not to wouldn't it? Great pub.

Many thanks for the tip about Hambledon and the Stag. Had a lovely round trip walk there today with Sunday lunch then tea in the churchyard! Beautiful.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk