Top 5 Wintery UK Walks
Winter is an excellent time to schedule in an obligatory family walk. Here's our top five water-themed suggestions to inspire an amble in the English countryside:
1. Marlow
This Buckinghamshire town has the enviable location of being more or less equidistant from London and Oxford, located right on the banks of the River Thames. This is where England's longest river is at its prettiest, gently flowing through Marlow's impressive Georgian splendour and under its Grade I-listed suspension bridge, which dates back to 1832. Best explored on a crisp winter's morning when the frost is beginning to thaw, the beauty of Marlow and the Thames is encapsulated at Higginson Park, which borders the High Street and the riverbank. On the western edge of the park is a designated wetland area; the perfect spot to watch ducks, swans and other waterfowl. You may be even lucky enough to spot a kingfisher or water vole!
2. Oxford
Approximately 30 miles upstream from Marlow is Oxford, a city famous for its university and riverside location. But relatively few people know that the city of gleaming spires is built on a series of islands, with Oxford also accommodating the River Cherwell, a waterway that joins the Thames south of the city centre. Interestingly, most locals refer to their stretch of the Thames as the Isis, particularly among Oxford's rowing community (cartographers of old have suggested the Thames should only be referred to as such downstream of Dorchester-on-Thames, where the Thames and Isis meet). Oxford and its riverbanks are super pedestrian friendly - families can walk in the footsteps of Lewis Carroll from Folly Bridge or explore Bodleian Library, Christ Church and New College - locations from Harry Potter.
3. Faversham
Established on Faversham Creek, this Kent market town's history can only be described as explosive - after all, it was here that England's explosives industry was born. Faversham is also at the heart of the country's hop-growing trade, with its Shepherd Neame Brewery stating claim to be the oldest brewery in the world; its roots traceable to 1698. Closer to the town centre is a collection of wonderfully-preserved original medieval houses, particularly along Abbey Street, where its buildings were saved from destruction as recently as 1958. Faversham can be easily explored on foot - from its impressive Victorian station it's a short stroll to the medieval centre and onwards to the empty expanses of Kent marshland - the inspiration behind Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.
4. Leamington Spa
Royal Leamington Spa, to give it its full title, is named after the River Leam - and close to here in 1814 the famous Royal Pump Rooms and Baths were opened. They quickly grew in popularity, with the salty spa water said to cure everything from rheumatism to gout, and to accommodate the new wave of wealthy visitors numerous Georgian townhouses were constructed. It was so loved by the well-to-do crowd that Queen Victoria felt compelled to grant it a Royal prefix in 1838, and indeed she visited the town herself, both as a princess and later as queen. Intersected by the River Leam, its floodplain is adorned by a number of picturesque open spaces and pleasure gardens for Georgian and Victorian ladies and gentlemen, all of which are perfect for exploring.
5. Avon Valley
Aside from its natural beauty, any travel guide could tell you that the Avon Valley's claim to fame is that four types of ground transport can be found there: canal, river, rail and road (the Kennet and Avon Canal is part of the through route between Bristol and London; the Avon Valley Railway attracts 80,000 visitors per year on a three-mile heritage route from Bitton Station, with special Santa routes operating over the festive period). A perfect stop-off on an Avon Valley walk is the village of Saltford, where you can sup a hard-earned glass of mulled wine in one of its four cosy pubs. There's also a number of old buildings to explore, from the 18th century Old Brass Mill, which is Grade II listed, to Saltford Manor House - England's oldest continuously-occupied house, dating from 1160.
1. Marlow
This Buckinghamshire town has the enviable location of being more or less equidistant from London and Oxford, located right on the banks of the River Thames. This is where England's longest river is at its prettiest, gently flowing through Marlow's impressive Georgian splendour and under its Grade I-listed suspension bridge, which dates back to 1832. Best explored on a crisp winter's morning when the frost is beginning to thaw, the beauty of Marlow and the Thames is encapsulated at Higginson Park, which borders the High Street and the riverbank. On the western edge of the park is a designated wetland area; the perfect spot to watch ducks, swans and other waterfowl. You may be even lucky enough to spot a kingfisher or water vole!
2. Oxford
Approximately 30 miles upstream from Marlow is Oxford, a city famous for its university and riverside location. But relatively few people know that the city of gleaming spires is built on a series of islands, with Oxford also accommodating the River Cherwell, a waterway that joins the Thames south of the city centre. Interestingly, most locals refer to their stretch of the Thames as the Isis, particularly among Oxford's rowing community (cartographers of old have suggested the Thames should only be referred to as such downstream of Dorchester-on-Thames, where the Thames and Isis meet). Oxford and its riverbanks are super pedestrian friendly - families can walk in the footsteps of Lewis Carroll from Folly Bridge or explore Bodleian Library, Christ Church and New College - locations from Harry Potter.
3. Faversham
Established on Faversham Creek, this Kent market town's history can only be described as explosive - after all, it was here that England's explosives industry was born. Faversham is also at the heart of the country's hop-growing trade, with its Shepherd Neame Brewery stating claim to be the oldest brewery in the world; its roots traceable to 1698. Closer to the town centre is a collection of wonderfully-preserved original medieval houses, particularly along Abbey Street, where its buildings were saved from destruction as recently as 1958. Faversham can be easily explored on foot - from its impressive Victorian station it's a short stroll to the medieval centre and onwards to the empty expanses of Kent marshland - the inspiration behind Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.
4. Leamington Spa
Royal Leamington Spa, to give it its full title, is named after the River Leam - and close to here in 1814 the famous Royal Pump Rooms and Baths were opened. They quickly grew in popularity, with the salty spa water said to cure everything from rheumatism to gout, and to accommodate the new wave of wealthy visitors numerous Georgian townhouses were constructed. It was so loved by the well-to-do crowd that Queen Victoria felt compelled to grant it a Royal prefix in 1838, and indeed she visited the town herself, both as a princess and later as queen. Intersected by the River Leam, its floodplain is adorned by a number of picturesque open spaces and pleasure gardens for Georgian and Victorian ladies and gentlemen, all of which are perfect for exploring.
5. Avon Valley
Aside from its natural beauty, any travel guide could tell you that the Avon Valley's claim to fame is that four types of ground transport can be found there: canal, river, rail and road (the Kennet and Avon Canal is part of the through route between Bristol and London; the Avon Valley Railway attracts 80,000 visitors per year on a three-mile heritage route from Bitton Station, with special Santa routes operating over the festive period). A perfect stop-off on an Avon Valley walk is the village of Saltford, where you can sup a hard-earned glass of mulled wine in one of its four cosy pubs. There's also a number of old buildings to explore, from the 18th century Old Brass Mill, which is Grade II listed, to Saltford Manor House - England's oldest continuously-occupied house, dating from 1160.
