Your favourite strecth of the Thames?

[watson1959]

SWMBO and I took the dogs over to Cliveden for a walk this morning, which we do quite frequently when the weather's decent.

I've now just come back from taking them on their ~4 times a week walk/swim down at Sonning.

The sun is shining; the river is quiet; famillies out walking; people fishing; even the cyclists were taking their time through the pedestrians; a couple of rowing boats going downstream through the lock.

It's just such a beautiful place to be...and to enjoy.

Which got me thinking: my favourite stretch (as a newbie this year) is from Shiplake Lock to Marsh Lock.

What's yours?

 

[Brayman]

Mapledurham to Goring with the Chiltern Hills rising on the right as you carry on to the Goring Gap, like another world.

 

[watson1959]

Mapledurham to Goring with the Chiltern Hills rising on the right as you carry on to the Goring Gap, like another world.

Interesting...I made the (ignorant) assumption that there was little to see on that stretch and have spent most of the summer heading downstream: I now have no excuse not to go further up.

Thanks

 

[Brayman]

Interesting...I made the (ignorant) assumption that there was little to see on that stretch and have spent most of the summer heading downstream: I now have no excuse not to go further up.

Thanks

Oh dear, you have so much to discover!

 

[boatone]

Probably +1 for the Goring Gap although I think the view up river above Boulters of Cliveden Reach takes some beating and I still get a thrill out of mooring at Hampton Court in the lee of the Palace - not to mention driving my own boat under tower Bridge and ............

 

[TrueBlue]

Above Oxenford - where many of "you" can't go, there are various stretches.
SWMBO (so of course I MUST concur) loves Port meadow with a sweeping view from Wolvercote to Oxford itself.

There is an huge dead Ash in the water about half way along to which we attach a bow line and chuck out a sand anchor at the back.

In early morning mists there is a magical panorama along the meadow itself and the assorted cattle, geese of several nationalities (domestic, Canadian, Egyptian) little egrets and some others definitely add interest to the view.

Given that the A34 and railway line are not that far away, it's surprising that their combined noise are lost in the rush of water from Godstow weirs.

Tranquillity and activity.

Get yourselves a proper boat and explore the upper reaches.....

 

[watson1959]

Oh dear, you have so much to discover!

Yup....guilty as charged

But with SO much to look forward to.......

 

[No Regrets]

I like the Oxford to Westminster stretch best of all.

Most reaches have a distinct mini-culture thing going on, some less salubrious than others, but still appealing, if only for interest rather than outright beauty!

Cliveden is lovely, but it's nice to get back to Maidenhead for a bit of people watching on the way home, for example!

 

[sturmvogel190a]

Another for Mapledurham to Goring ,Watson 1959 if you ever do get to Goring then walk the hounds over the bridge to Streatley straight over the x roads by the Bull pub endure the heart attack inducing walk up Streatley hill to the very top and car park on your right...corner of car park is gate into field walk along top to end and viola a view of the Thames vally to take your breath away all the way to Whitnham clumps and downstream for miles ...knocks any view from Cliveden into a cocked hat imo .
Better bet is simply drive the car to car park ,That bit is called Lardon Chase and the Hollys equally good view is across the road walk through the woods....very worth the effort face Steve.
Edit the top end is good to moorings just upstream of Pikhill lock on bend in field give you views of the Barn owls hunting around farmoor resseee bank and the field of said mooring most evenings....magic end to the day face .

 

[oldgit]

S,Allright we suppose if you think the M25 is a country road !

Oh dear, you have so much to discover!

yea... and most of it on far more tranquil rivers elsewhere

 

[rosssavage]

Pretty much with no regrets on this one!! Most common destinations are cliveden islands and Windsor town, but mainly cos I'm moored in between them

We've done Oxford (as far as we can get) to Ramsgate so far.. Got meself a rib now, so planning to drop it in as far upstream as navigable and make our way back to Windsor so we can say we've done the whole river

 

[boatone]

Pretty much with no regrets on this one!! Most common destinations are cliveden islands and Windsor town, but mainly cos I'm moored in between them

Forgot to mention you in my post re scary Windsor yesterday. I did wave but you were deep in conversation with someone and didn't notice

 

[watson1959]

Another for Mapledurham to Goring ,Watson 1959 if you ever do get to Goring then walk the hounds over the bridge to Streatley straight over the x roads by the Bull pub endure the heart attack inducing walk up Streatley hill to the very top and car park on your right...corner of car park is gate into field walk along top to end and viola a view of the Thames vally to take your breath away all the way to Whitnham clumps and downstream for miles ...knocks any view from Cliveden into a cocked hat imo .
Better bet is simply drive the car to car park ,That bit is called Lardon Chase and the Hollys equally good view is across the road walk through the woods....very worth the effort face Steve.
Edit the top end is good to moorings just upstream of Pikhill lock on bend in field give you views of the Barn owls hunting around farmoor resseee bank and the field of said mooring most evenings....magic end to the day face .

Thanks for these suggestions Sturmvogel: We'll definitely give this a go....maybe start with the drive and dogs so we get a quicker view

 

[sturmvogel190a]

Thanks for these suggestions Sturmvogel: We'll definitely give this a go....maybe start with the drive and dogs so we get a quicker view

Good plan as the walk up the hill is a killer ,the Hollys walk is across the road from the car park ,After the walk try the bell pub in Aldworth same family for hundreds of years /real ale mecca/no electric til just a wooden draw step back in time face ....does get busy mind Steve.

 

[Sulley]

Too many to choose from, I like that fact that you can experience lots of changes and I always feel that I am miles away from home when it probably is no more than 30 minutes!

Rosssavage we were moored at the Brocas later on Sunday and saw you going "sedately" past in your RIB!

 

[Chris_d]

I'd pick virtualy the whole river, love Henley reach, Marlow reach, Bourne end to Cookham reach. However always been puzzled by the often quoted "magnificent" Cliveden reach I find it boring featureless and dark, the islands make for a pleasant spot to moor in themselves but the feel of the reach is one of cruising through a green and dark tunnel with nothing to see at all perhaps its downriver folks first view of the countryside because it only gets better from then on.

 

[CJL]

Cliveden Reach every time!

CJL

 

[BrendanS]

I'd say everything upriver from Cliveden. Like Chris_d, not that keen on Cliveden reach.
Shiplake to Marsh is still a favourite, but that's because my boat was based there.
Oh, and of course, through London in the tidal just has to be experienced by boat, especially if you know the area from land well.

 

[TrueBlue]

I'd pick virtualy the whole river, love Henley reach, Marlow reach, Bourne end to Cookham reach. However always been puzzled by the often quoted "magnificent" Cliveden reach I find it boring featureless and dark, the islands make for a pleasant spot to moor in themselves but the feel of the reach is one of cruising through a green and dark tunnel with nothing to see at all perhaps its downriver folks first view of the countryside because it only gets better from then on.

The distaff side goes into ecstasies over the autumn colours - which I must say can be extremely fine. The rest of the year I'm inclined to agree with you.

 

[dash300]

Cliveden Reach does have a unique beauty but I have to agree with others who do not rate it, that I find it a little 'middle earth' and have never moored there.