Exploring the Goring gap

The picturesque villages of Goring and Streatley nestle face-to-face in the most dramatic location along the whole length of the Thames. The river has carved a deep passage here between the chalk hills of the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs to form the "Goring Gap", a natural crossing point since Celtic times. The ancient Ridgeway crosses the river to join the Thames Path at Goring and the two National Trails then march together towards Wallingford before The Ridgeway takes a high line across the Vale of Oxford to Watlington and Chinnor on the edge of the Chiltern Hills. All of this is excellent walking country, with boats, trains and buses providing the return leg along the river and more adventurous routes opening into the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs, both of which are Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Country secrets within easy reach of Goring include Nuffield House, home of William Morris of Morris Motors, the pretty 15th-century village of Ewelme, burial place of Jerome K. Jerome or the delightfully incongruous Maharajah's Well at Stoke Row, the flamboyant gift of the Maharajah of Benares which is complete with canopy and golden elephant.

Your country escape

Your Coutry Escape is the figure-of-eight views of the Thames Walk, centred on Goring. The first loop of 4 miles crosses the River, where you see the old mill house and boats navigating the lock. You pass quickly through Streatley to the Holies, a wonderful remnant of chalk downland rich in rare flowers in early summer. Next comes the climb to the top of the downs, with magnificent views across the Thames Valley. From here it's downhill back to Goring and welcome refreshments at The Bull, The Swan Diplomat and other hostelries. The second 4-mile loop climbs slowly out of Goring along country lanes. Energy permitting, an additional 1½ mile loop will take you to the top of the Chilterns for yet more wonderful views. Back on the main route, you next reach Hartslock Nature Reserve with its flowers and river vistas and red kites soaring overhead. Head downhill now to the river, following the Thames Path past Goring Manor and under Brunel's red brick rail bridge. For a shorter option: follow the Thames Path National Trail downstream from Goring climbing up through Hartslock woods to Whitchurch-on-Thames (3½ miles) to sample local wines at Boze Down Vineyard. Cross the River on one of the last toll bridges over the Thames into Pangbourne for a choice of refreshments.

Fact file

Views of the Thames Walks - two walks of 4 miles; each 1½ hours. The free leaflet "Views of the Thames Walks" is available from Goring Information Centre or can be downloaded from Goring Walk page

To complete your break you might also visit:
Basildon Park (NT);
Mapledurham House;
The Living Rainforest, nr Newbury
or take a River Cruise on the Thames or enjoy the Goring Regatta in mid-July and Swan Upping at Goring Lock in late July.

Tourist Information Centre
Wallingford
Market House, Wallingford. Tel 01491 826972
Email: ticwallingford@freenet.co.uk
Thames Path and Ridgeway National Trails
River Thames
The Chilterns
North Wessex Downs
Travel by Train to: Goring & Streatley.

Basildon Park (National Trust)
Lower Basildon,
Reading,
Berkshire
RG8 9NR
Tel: 01494 755558 (Infoline); 01494 755572 (Box office)
Fax: 0118 976 7370
Email: basildonpark@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
This grand 18th-century Palladian mansion, with its fine collection of paintings, furniture and textiles, was saved from ruin and lovingly restored by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the 1950s. The house is set in glorious parkland overlooking the River Thames. Open: March - end Oct.

Greys Court (National Trust)
Rotherfield Greys,
Henley-on-Thames,
Oxfordshire
RG9 4PG
Tel: 01491 62852901494 755564 (Infoline)
Fax: 01491 628935;
Email: greyscourt@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
An intriguing Tudor Manor with 14th-century fortifications, Greys Court served as a prison for Mary Queen of Scots. Its ornamental gardens with their old-fashioned roses, wisteria walk and maze are set within medieval walls. Open: April - end Sept.