Planning to come. Might swim at Marsh Lock.

On 16.00 train back. Got completely confused by diversion directions & ended up catching a timely bus 2 stops along the A road to Mill Lane, then walked down to rejoin the Thames Path at Marsh Lock. Didn't swim! - didn't feel safe with the light going. Enjoyed the walk to the Bottle & Glass pub & £19 gourmet lunch there.

Sorry you got confused about the diversion Catriona, it sounds like you missed the start which was more obviously signposted going in the other direction. Those of us who did it found it to be a very pretty route through Harpsden Wood, worth doing even if there as another route. And likewise, we didn't feel a swim looked too inviting.

So to sum up,18 people in misty but dry weather. All but three stopped in the pub at least for drinks. All but one non-diner walked to Henley where we dispersed to tea, Wetherspoons or the station. The remainder of the diners walked to Shiplake where they caught the 1600 train.

I should add that I think all agreed this was an excellent walk for this time of year with magnificent autumn colours, and the “diversion route” does dovetail well with the main walk, as it includes the aforementioned pretty wood and also keeps some riverside walking at the end. But I’d try a bit harder to integrate it into the directions if doing it again.

Note that the big barn area for casual eating at the pub is now only open at weekends. The pub does have a small bar area.

20 on a dry cloudy day First half fairly firm underfoot . There was mud later. The group had fragmented by lunch. Most ate alfresco, some in the woods, others in the pub garden. These continued ahead. 4 ate in the Bottle and Glass. The food was well received by the 4, who had waited a long time for it. A 5th just had cider. No chips for Mr Tiger, though, too posh for chips. (But a kindly benefactor did proffer some nuts later).

The Thames Path was closed near Marsh Lock and a diversion was in place. The route back to the Thames was not clearly signposted, at least not in the fading light, and two got wet feet splashing through the marshy ground Those two just missed the 16:30 and had to get the 17:00.

18 at the station. Cloudy at first sunny later . We set off at a fairly brisk pace. We whizzed through Rotherfield Greys without even a glance at the church and its historic tomb. The Maltsters there was still shut. Off, off we went through woods and fields. Buitterflies were seen but not many.

Eventually, the Bottle and Glass hove into view. 7 ventured inside. I am told that, as a result, several lobsters will never see the light of day again. 8 or nine of us, who had blanched in horror at the sight of its Michelin star, retreated to the burger barn where several burgers will never see the light of day again. Yours truly made do with a slightly expensive cider and a few chips. A kite circled overhead. Only one person was seen to eat sandwiches.

Then on and on we went. Two at least finished at Shiplake. The others, hardy stalwarts that they were , pressed on to Henley. A temporary diversion, due to a closure of a section of Thames Path, led us through a field with a spectacular display of buttercups.

Five had tea at the kiosk in Henley's riverside park, watched, I am told, by a dozen kites, doubtless hoping one of them would keel over..

Four went to the Wetherspoons, where yours truly had slightly too much to drink. (Worth a visit, hic).

12 walkers assembled at the Henley station, 11 by train and 1 by car. Weather had been pretty kind to us, initial overcast then sunny . A lovely walk, rather different from other familiar Henley walks I knew. Two wanted an early lunch and stopped at the Maltsters Arms but were told it was fully booked. Most had picnic in the woods just before The Bottle & Glass. Whilst the main pub of The Bottle & Glass was fully booked, they also run a burger barn in a converted barn next door which had loads of outside and inside seating. Three ate here, several had a drink or two. The group was scattered a bit, but never too far apart until this point. 7 decided to catch earlier train and marched on, 5 others stopped at the cafe next to the Rowing museum as we approached Henley, had tea, ice cream etc, then caught 17:30 train back to London. Two then stopped at Ealing and resumed the noodle ritual that has been suspended for almost 10 years. A grand day out in excellent company.

PS: two walkers thought the walk as a bit underrate in toughness, perhaps 3/10 taking account of two steep climbs.

Thanks Sean for posting this nice walk.