National Grade: Moderate Distance:11.8mi / 19 km  Leader:  Caroline W.  Date: Sunday, 26th Jul 2026

 This was my first Sunday walk as leader this year as I have been so busy leading walking holidays abroad, so I chose one of my favourite walks from my small repertoire.

Once again the Waltham Wanderer attracted a good crowd swelling the numbers to 11. As well as some Hillingdon regulars, we had walkers join us from East Berks, Henley and Goring and Loddon Valley as well as two ladies Kathleen and Wendy who were both interested in joining the Ramblers. 

We all eventually found parking spaces as the kids’ park run has grown in popularity since last year and cars had taken up most of the spaces and the roads outside. Once briefed on the walk we headed out thankful that the forecast was for a cloudy day so it wouldn’t be as hot as it has been of late.

After a brief stop at White Waltham church we continued on to the cricket green in the village where we paused for our morning break. Denise kindly turned down the recommendation from a walker who stopped to talk to her as he had recently moved from Uxbridge to the area and was keen to tell her where to walk. Denise assured him she was in safe hands with the leader in orange!

One of my favourite parts of this walk is Shottesbrook where the view across to the church is stunning and the path is usually dotted with sheep . Today though the sheep were taking shade under the trees, the grass so dry there was little for them to eat.

We then headed out along a few footpaths and bridleway we only ever use on this particular walk and both
Wendy and Kathleen remarked they had never walked in this area before. In the fields we could see how dry everything is, with huge cracks opening up in the ground in many places.

A welcome lunch stop in Waltham St Lawrence several of us had our lunch on the benches at the entrance to the churchyard which was due to host another afternoon tea later on. Alas we were too early! Others obtained drinks from the Bell pub to see them through the afternoon.

Setting off again we had to stop to admire the dahlias in one garden in the village which were stunning and even higher than the garden wall. Heading back to Shottesbrook once again we were disappointed that the church was still closed so we were unable to have a look inside.

At White Waltham there was now a cricket match on the green but only local teams playing so I didn’t think there was any danger of us getting hit by a six! From there we headed up to Waltham Place where a few tried the blackberries which were still a little way off being ripe.

A few light aircraft were hovering overhead as we headed back towards Ockwells Manor which is still undergoing renovation and covered in scaffolding. Much of the manor’s grounds have now been transformed for polo horses but it remains to be seen what will become of the manor itself.

Back just after 3pm it was an early finish but the car park and surrounding roads were once again as busy as this morning had been, with clearly many families not having yet gone off on their holidays. With thanks to Denise and Barbara for back marking, everyone said how nice it had been. We should be getting one new member as Kathleen said she had enjoyed the walk and was keen to join the Ramblers and come out again.

Report by: Caroline W