Cookham, Cock Marsh and Winter Hill

Start in the National Trust Cookham Moor car park. This 6.4 km circuit combines the village, the Thames Path and a short steep climb to Winter Hill. Allow about 2½ hours with time for the views and a riverside pause.

Cross the B4447 carefully at the car-park approach and use Fleet Bridge and the causeway into Cookham. Follow the south pavement of High Street towards the Stanley Spencer Gallery, cross carefully near the junction and take the west-side pavement of Ferry Lane to Church Gate. Go through Holy Trinity churchyard to the Thames Path and turn left. Keep the river on your right, pass beneath the railway bridge and continue beyond the riverside buildings and Bounty pub.

Turn away from the river onto the broad grassy path across Cock Marsh, passing the burial mounds. Cross the wooden boardwalk and turn right along the foot of Winter Hill. At the hollow, climb steeply, turn right on the crossing path and then left up to the wooden gate. Follow the field edge and the waymarked public footpath across Winter Hill Golf Course. Cross the railway on its footbridge, turn right beside the course, then follow the path between paddocks and Strand Water back to the car park. Stay on the public footpath and watch for golfers before crossing playing areas.

Expect grass, gravel, some narrow paths and a slippery boardwalk. Walk in daylight with shoes that grip. The village road crossings are unsignalled: wait for a clear gap and use the pavements throughout. Cock Marsh can flood, so postpone the walk if the paths or boardwalk are submerged. Keep dogs on leads around cattle, which normally graze here from April to November, and give livestock space.

Parking currently costs £2 for non-members; the operator lists the machine as cash only. Follow the posted member and Blue Badge parking rules. Cookham has cafés and pubs, with public toilets behind the Stanley Spencer Gallery.

Route reference: National Trust’s Cookham and Cock Marsh walk: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/maidenhead-and-cookham-commons/cookham-and-cock-marsh-walk