THE WALK
Distance: 7 miles
Grid reference at start: SU633767
Time: 3 hours
Going: Easy
Parking: There are several car parks in Pangbourne and for the end of the walk leave a car at Reading Station or Hill's Meadow car park. It is possible to do this walk using public transport and catching a train from Reading to Pangbourne.
BBC BERKSHIRE WALKING AND SAFETY |  |
As you leave Pangbourne railway station and meet the main road through Pangbourne, turn left, going under the railway bridge, then turn almost immediately right signposted to The Wharf, following the footpath signs. Keep to the left of the metal railings. Follow the path round to the left, with Waterside House to your right. Follow the footpath straight ahead as you cross a driveway. The Boathouse Surgery is on your left. When you meet the road opposite a longstay car park, turn left. Walk towards the toll bridge, with The Boathouse Surgery on your left and approaching the Adventure Dolphin Centre on your right. Before you get to Adventure Dolphin, look for the footpath sign on the right taking you down through the car park of Adventure Dolphin, towards the river. You will join the Thames Path, and it's signposted Thames Path Purley.  | | Messing about on the river... |
Follow the path, with the river on your left, through Pangbourne Meadow. As you leave Pangbourne Meadow, the path deviates slightly away from the river to the right. Continue to follow this path into another large meadow. You'll go over a small concrete bridge and the railway line to Reading is on your right.  | | Mapledurham Lock is a hive of activity. |
Follow the Thames Path past the weir and Mapledurham Lock, and look to your left and you'll see Mapledurham House on the other side of the river. After you've passed the lock, go through the wooden gate and take the Thames Path diagonally right across the meadow, away from the river.  | | The walk out of Pangbourne is extremely peaceful. |
Head towards the metal gate, and when you reach it, go through the wooden kissing gate to the right of it. Turn left onto the gravel road and look out for a children's play area on your right. Continue to follow signs for the Thames Path. The road becomes Mapledurham Drive and turns into a single track, tarmac road.  | | Don't anyone mention paté. |
You'll reach a main road, which is Purley Village road to the right and becomes St Mary's Avenue on the left. Turn left onto St Mary's Avenue and at the junction turn right up New Hill, following signs for the Thames Path. Follow the path over a railway bridge. When you come to the junction with Hazel Road on the left, turn left down Hazel Road, following the signs for the Thames Path.  | | You'll see some stunning riverside properties on this walk. |
This takes you into a small housing estate, past the junction on the left with Huckleberry Close. Pass Duncan Gardens on the left. Pass Farmiloe Close on the left. Pass The Purley Park Trust on the left. Pass The Holt on your left, and shortly after that turn right down Skerritt Way, following the Thames Path signs.  | | Swans at Caversham Bridge. |
Keep on the footpath on the left of the road. Skerrit Way becomes a cul-de-sac, so you'll reach a dead-end. When you do, look to the right and you'll see the path going towards the main road. Go up the wide concrete steps, and when they reach the road, turn left following the Thames Path signs.  | | These geese take time out for a bit of sun-bathing. |
As you approach The Roebuck Hotel and The Watermans Bar & Restaurant on the left, there is a sign for the Thames Path, taking you down alongside The Watermans, across a railway bridge and back onto the river. Follow this and turn right following the Thames Path when you reach the river. The path takes you through a commercial boatyard, keep following the path alongside The Thames. The path passes through a meadow and you'll spot the green roofs of the Rivermead Leisure Centre on your right as you approach Caversham. As you reach Caversham, you'll pass behind the Three Men In A Boat pub and underneath Caversham Bridge. Continue along the path to Reading Bridge where this part of the walk ends. You've completed Part Nine of the Berkshire Way Well Done! Berkshire Way Part Ten | 
