Route Directions

1) Walk towards and go through the kissing gate that can be found at the far corner of Lardon Chase car park. Keeping the tree line on your left follow the pathway which offers spectacular views on your right of Goring, Streatley and the river Thames. Benches are positioned along the way to admire the view.

2) On reaching a wire fence continue straight along the line of the fencing until you see a gate on your left to Lough Down. Walk through the gate and take the path that bears right across the middle of the field and down the hill with far-reaching views across the valley.

3) At the bottom of the hill you will see a metal gate and a very distinctive modern green building. Go through the adjacent kissing gate to the single-track road and turn left. Continue along this road passing Goring and Streatley Golf Club car park on your left.

4) On reaching No 1 Golf Cottage, follow the concrete path to the left of the cluster of houses, between two hedges, to a tarmac path and the golf course.

5) Under a sign ‘Danger beware flying golf balls’, you will see a footpath arrow directing you straight ahead across the golf course up a gentle hill to a line of bushes. As you go up the hill you will see the clubhouse to your left.

6) On reaching the bushes, you will see a sign, slightly ahead of you and on the right, asking walkers to ring a bell to alert golfers you are crossing the fairways. Please ring the bell. Then look to your left to see a footpath arrow pointing uphill. Follow the direction of this sign alongside a small line of trees and a ditch to reach further footpath arrows showing where to cross the fairway to another hedgerow.

7) Having crossed the fairway to the hedgerow and keeping the hedge on your left, follow the path continuing gently up hill. Follow the path until you reach another sign advising walkers to ring a bell to alert golfers you are crossing the fairway. Please ring the bell then continue uphill, crossing a tarmac path.

8) At the top of the hill a signpost will lead you into the woods and back to Lardon Chase Car Park.

Points of Interest:

• The Holies and Lardon Chase chalk grasslands are some of the best remaining in Berkshire. In early summer you can see beautiful wildflowers such as bellflowers, vetch and orchids, as well as specialist butterflies including the chalk hill blue and grizzled and dingy skipper.
• Basildon Park (3 miles from Lardon Chase car park): An 18th-century Palladian-style mansion, restored by Lord and Lady Iliffe after being requisitioned in the World Wars Basildon Park | Berkshire | National Trust
• Beale Park (3.5 miles from Lardon Chase car park): Beale Park is an outdoor wildlife park within 40 acres set against the River Thames in Berkshire. Home – Beale Wildlife Park and Gardens (bealepark.org.uk)
• Goring & Streatley: Two ancient riverside villages separated by a river and joined by a bridge. Having a foot in the Chilterns Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as the North Wessex Downs. Two National Trails, the Ridgeway and the Thames Path, also intersect at Goring and Streatley. There are a number of places to eat and drink in Goring and Streatley.