Marlow to Staines - 24 miles - Thames Path 7/10

Join Steven Massey Hiking Tours for one of the BIG ones — Leg 7 of our 185-mile Thames Path Challenge! 
Starting in beautiful Marlow, we'll tackle approximately 24 miles following the Thames through Cookham and Maidenhead, passing Cliveden, historic locks and Brunel's magnificent railway bridge.
We'll continue through Bray and Dorney, enter royal country at Eton and Windsor, and walk beneath the magnificent backdrop of Windsor Castle.
But the history doesn't stop there. Our final section takes us through the legendary meadows of Runnymede — where Magna Carta was sealed in 1215 — before completing this epic stage at Staines-upon-Thames.

Tickets for this event cost £20.00. This payment is non-refundable. It will only be refunded in the event of a non-weather related cancellation. *Tickets/spaces for this walk/event are pre booked and pre paid, please don't just turn up on the day with cash*

We will all meet 08.00 at the finish point in Elmsleigh Surface car park, Staines TW18 4LZ. We will then jump into some cars to take us to the start in Marlow.

Highlights include - 

Marlow Suspension Bridge – a cracking place to begin, with the classic view across the Thames towards Marlow's church and famous bridge.

Bourne End & Cock Marsh – the route soon returns to open Thames-side meadows before crossing the river at Bourne End. 

Cookham – one of the prettiest villages on this stretch and famously associated with artist Sir Stanley Spencer, who was born here and repeatedly painted the village and its people. 

Cliveden Reach – the river passes beneath the wooded heights of the famous Cliveden estate, giving you one of the most attractive stretches between Marlow and Maidenhead. 

Boulter's Lock – once an extraordinarily fashionable Thames destination. During the Victorian and Edwardian boating boom, this was a place to see and be seen on the river. 

Brunel's Sounding Arch at Maidenhead – one of the engineering highlights of the entire Thames Path. Isambard Kingdom Brunel's 1839 railway bridge carries the Great Western Railway across the Thames on its famous low, wide brick arches. 

Maidenhead Bridge – the present stone road bridge dates from 1777, when Maidenhead was an important coaching stop on the Great West Road. 

Bray & Monkey Island – the river becomes rural again beyond Maidenhead, passing the Bray area and Monkey Island as you head towards Windsor. 

Dorney Lake – you'll pass the area of the purpose-built rowing venue used for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Eton – arrival into the Windsor area brings you alongside one of Britain's most famous historic school towns, home to Eton College.

Windsor Castle – surely the big visual moment of Leg 7. As you approach Windsor, the castle begins dominating the skyline above the Thames.

Windsor & Eton – you'll pass through one of the most historic river crossings on the whole challenge, with Windsor Castle on one side and Eton on the other.

Old Windsor & Windsor Great Park – after the bustle of Windsor, the route heads back into greener surroundings alongside the royal landscape. 

Runnymede – an absolutely massive historical highlight. These are the famous meadows where King John sealed Magna Carta in 1215, a landmark in the history of law and limits on royal power. 

JFK Memorial – Runnymede also contains the memorial to President John F. Kennedy. The memorial site was gifted to the United States, giving you another interesting historical story for the group. 

Air Forces Memorial – visible above Runnymede on Cooper's Hill, commemorating more than 20,000 Commonwealth air personnel who died during the Second World War and have no known grave.

Bell Weir Lock – one of the final locks of the day as you make your way towards Staines. 

Staines Bridge – a fitting finish. Staines has been an important Thames crossing since Roman times; the present bridge opened in 1932.

Please bring layers and appropriate clothing for the weather, it will be a long day
Also bring enough water (2 ltrs), snacks and food to sustain you.
How to find us - 

Elmsleigh Surface car park, Staines TW18 4LZ

What 3 Words -  ///help.exile.drove