Cookham Circular - in search of The Bounty

Date: Sunday 25th March 2012
Route: Cookham Circular via Bisham Wood, Winter Hill and the Thames Path
Distance: 7 miles

For our last walk before we head off to Scotland and along the 95-mile West Highland Way, we chose a relatively easy, favourite route - and were lucky enough to have yet another beautiful sunny day to walk on.

The walk comes from the first Time Out Book of Country Walks and is described (in more wintry circumstances) in this previous blog post. Luckily, the latest version of the book doesn't bother with the side-trip to Bisham (which just seemed to entail crossing a busy road), although there is an extension proposed along to Boulter's Lock and Maidenhead, which could be good if you're on the train and not driving.

The first section of the walk is through Cookham, past the house where artist Stanley Spencer worked, up a gentle hillside of brassicas and into Bisham Wood, where a broad bridleway follows the edge of the escarpment, with the Thames and great views of Marlow down to the left.

Once out of the woods the views get even better, from Winter Hill, home of Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows. The path descends slowly towards the Thames, which you then follow all the way back to Cookham, with Spade Oak (home to a great pub and Enid Blyton) visible on the other side of the river and the fantastic Bounty pub an essential stopping-off point en route.

The Bounty is one of our favourite pubs encountered in the course of walking - as well as actively encouraging walkers, dog-owners and families, there are plenty of tables outside which are always packed on a sunny day, a great selection of beers from the nearby Rebellion brewery, generous/ hefty portions of food and an eclectic and entertaining music policy. The only way to get to the pub is by foot or by boat but it is well worth the effort.

This walk is straightforward and not overly strenuous, includes beautiful views, an easy riverside path and a fantastic pub - doesn't get much better than this, this close to London!

PS no, I'm not sure about why there is a wigwam in the woods either - looks good though!