Dadima’s May Walk 2026 Guided walk

Date: Sunday, 17 May 2026.

Distance: 4 – 5 miles.

Start time: We will meet at 10am in Goring, on the pavement outside Pierrepont’s Café, High St, Goring, Reading RG8 9AB.
What3Words for start point: ///scoping.chins.slim

Expected end time: Around 1pm, depending on our pace, rest pauses and discussions.

Parking: Some on street parking is available in Goring, and paid parking can be found at Goring and Streatley Station. What3words///loaning.riding.appetite

Dogs: Well behaved dogs are welcome. Please be prepared to have dogs on leads near livestock.

Intensity, distance & pace: Moderate intensity as there are some short but steep hill climbs. The distance is between 4-5miles with a mixture of surfaced and unsurfaced paths. We are aiming for a nice, relaxed pace, to allow conversation as we walk.

Route Overview: We will begin our walk from Pierrepont’s Café on the High Street, within a short walk from Goring and Streatley Station. With the River Thames close by, we’ll head east to join the Thames Path, turning downstream (towards Reading). Almost immediately the walk feels tranquil, with swans and geese on the water and wide views across to wooded hills. We’ll follow the Thames Path as it curves gently through riverside meadows. The path is mostly flat and well defined, passing willow trees, grassy banks and occasional moorings. After around a mile, we’ll reach the impressive chalk cliffs of Hartslock Nature Reserve, a striking landmark rising above the river. We’ll continue along the riverside to the entrance of Hartslock, where information boards mark the reserve. We’ll pause here to enjoy the scenery. In May the reserve is famous for its wildflowers, including orchids, and the famous and very rare Monkey Orchid. To return, we’ll retrace our steps slightly until we see a footpath heading away from the river across open farmland towards Oppo’s Farm. We’ll follow this path inland, leaving the Thames behind so that out return view is fields with expansive views back toward the river valley and surrounding countryside. The path eventually leads us back towards Goring, with glimpses of the church spire and rooftops ahead. As we re-enter the village, we’ll follow local footpaths back to Pierrepont’s Café, where we began our walk — a perfect spot to round off the walk with a drink or bite to eat.

Highlights

• Peaceful walking along one of the prettiest stretches of the Thames Path
• Dramatic chalk scenery and wildlife at Hartslock Nature Reserve
• Possibility of seeing the rare Monkey Orchid
• Open countryside and gentle farmland on the return
• Café stop at both the start and finish

Walk leader details: Dadima’s (Geeta and Subash Ludhra). We will be with the Thames Path Team at Goring outside Pierrepont’s Café from 09:45 to greet you. Subash’s mobile number if needed: 07831 512 528.

Cost: Free to attend.

Please bring/wear

• Suitable walking shoes and clothing for the weather. Shoes should be sturdy and provide enough support for uneven walking surfaces, with some grip.
• Sunhat/cap, sunglasses as needed, sunblock.
• Please bring a flask of water/soft drink, hot drink, light snacks as needed to suit your personal needs.
• Any medication that you may need to stay comfortable (hay fever medication, asthma inhaler for example). We do carry a basic first-aid kit and are both qualified first aiders as walk leaders.
• Walking pole sticks maybe useful for this walk if you have them. We have 2 sets spare so let us know if you would like to borrow them and we will bring them along for anyone who may welcome them.

Facilities: There are sadly no toilet facilities along this walk, but we can use the café toilets at start and end if needed.