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Cookham River Circular Walk

3.5 miles (5.7 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap The little village of Cookham is situated in a particularly delightful spot by the River Thames. This area of the Thames Valley is thought to have inspired the 'Wind in the Willows' children stories, by the author Kenneth Grahame, who lived in nearby Cookham Deane. This circular walk takes you along a section of the river to Cock Marsh, before returning through the countryside to the village. There's lots of interesting flora and fauna to look out for, particularly around the wetland meadows of Cock Marsh where there are many breeding waders and specialist plants. On the climb to Winter Hill you can enjoy lots of wildflowers and wonderful views over the Thames Valley.
You can start the walk from the National Trust's Cookham Moor car park. Then follow the riverside path north towards Bourne End. You then head into Cock Marsh where there is a moderate hill climb of just over 200ft. Here you can enjoy lovely views across the countryside of the marsh to the river and to the nearby Cliveden House. The route then descends past the Winter Hill golf course, returning to the village and the finish point back at the car park.
To extend your walking in the area, head west along the Thames Path towards Marlow where you can visit Bisham Woods and Cookham Dean.

Cookham River Circular Walk OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Cookham River Circular Walk Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Maidenhead Boundary Walk passes close to Cookham and is a good way of continuing your walking in the area. The 13 mile route explores the area surrounding the town and is run as an annual event.
The Bourne End Walk runs past the village. You could visit the neighbouring settlement which includes the National Trust's Cock Marsh and an excellent riverside pub in the shape of The Bounty.
Just to the west in Hurley you can pick up the Hurley Loop Walk which will take you south to the woodland trails in Ashley Hill Forest and the Hurley Chalk Pit Nature Reserve.
Just to the east of Marlow is the neighbouring village of Little Marlow. Here you can explore the wildlife rich Spade Oak Nature Reserve and visit the historic 14th century church and 16th century pub.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Berkshire Walks page.

Photos

Bel (sic) and the Dragon - geograph.org.uk - 516748

Bel and the Dragon Cookham

River Thames and Cookham Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 489984

Cookham Bridge

River Thames at Cookham - geograph.org.uk - 491882

River view

River Thames - Bourne End - geograph.org.uk - 82794

Bourne End

River Thames - Bourne End railway bridge - geograph.org.uk - 82793

Bourne End railway bridge

Hillside by Cock Marsh - geograph.org.uk - 516796

Hillside by Cock Marsh

Cock Marsh - geograph.org.uk - 517260

Cock Marsh

Footpath Entering Cock Marsh - geograph.org.uk - 517263

On the hill overlooking Cock Marsh

GPS Files

GPX File

Cookham River Circular Walk.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Cookham River Circular Walk.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)