From the exit follow Lock Path to the right. The walk starts by the cattle grid where the road becomes a path. You will see a red bricked cottage to the left.
[1] ?From the start point follow the path through the gate and take the path almost immediately right towards Mary Magdelene Chapel. (A).
If using the pushchair or wheelchair you can opt to follow the path straight running parallel to the Thames Path.
(A) Built of chalk rubble and flint and standing on a site which has been a place of worship since before the Norman conquest, the origins of this church are obscure but the earliest recorded reference to it was made in 1266. Originally serving the the village of Boveney, the church was more than likely also used by people that live and worked on the river. The existence of the church today is a result of the actions of the local residents who fought to save the chapel when it was declared redundant in 1975 and was at risk of demolition or sold for conversion to residential use.
A further 300m along the path brings one to perhaps one of River Thames' busiest, most attractive and photographed lock, Boveney Lock.
If you are following the alternate route, there is a distinct path leading down to the lock.
(B) The original timber lock was built in 1838 but was eventually replaced with the existing steel and concrete one in 1898 to cope with the increase in river traffic.
Once past the lock continue to follow the clearly marked Thames Path.
(C) Across the river, on your right-hand side is one of only two figure-of-eight racecourse in the UK, The Royal Windsor Racecourse. Whilst the local area has links to horse racing that date back to the time of Henry VIII, the first race meeting at Royal Windsor did not take place until 1866. There are a series of wooden benches en route, donated by Eton College in celebration of the Queen's jubilee, where you rest your legs and soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the river views.
Approximately 400 meters past Boveney Lock, the alternative route meets up with the gravel Thames Path.
[2] Continue eastwards along the Thames Path. After about 300 meters, on the right-hand side of the path, you will come across The Bathing Place of Athens.
(D) Swimming in the River Thames was once a commonplace activity and Eton College constructed four bathing places in the area. The memorial stone at the site of the Athens bathing area dedicates the place to an ex-member of Eton College who, having bathed at this spot as a child, died in flying accident in 1917. Take the time to read the inscriptions on both side of the stone. The inscription on the rear sets out the bathing regulations and well worth the read.
100 meters on from the Bathing Place of Athens, the path crosses Cuckoo Weir via a small wooden footbridge bringing one onto the Cuckoo Weir Island - home of Swan Lifeline.
(E) Originally know as Save our Swans, Swan Lifeline is registered charity devoted to the care of sick and injured swans in Thames valley and surrounding area. To date they have rescued and treated over 20,000 swans.
Once over the bridge, follow the clearly marked path across the island in the direction of the A355 bridge that crosses the river. Follow the path under the bridge and continue along the path. 50 meters on from the A355 bridge you will come across the world's oldest wrought iron bridge still in regular service, Brunel's Windsor Railway Bridge.
(F) Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who achieved many engineering firsts, including the building of the first tunnel under a navigable river and the first propeller-driven ocean-going iron ship, the bridge was opened in 1849. The bridge was a forerunner of Brunel's final masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge and was Grade II listed in 1975.
The final section of this leg of the route offers stunning views of Windsor Castle with the bustling River Thames in the foreground. This is also a really nice picnic spot if the weather is kind.
[3] The route now enters the town of Windsor with the path leading past the Eton College Boathouse on the right and private residences on the left. Founded in Windsor in 1440 by King Henry VI, Eton College has a long list of distinguished former pupils including nineteen British Prime Minister of which David Cameron is one. The Eton Boathouse, a Grade II Listed property, was built in the early 18th century and, as the name suggests, is where Eton College Boat Club store their boats. Continue on past the boathouse to Brocas Street, keeping the pub, The Watermans Arms, on your left.
(G) The building was built in 1542 and, prior to becoming a pub, was originally a workhouse and was made into a makeshift mortuary in 1665 during the Great Plague. Follow Brocas Street through to the High Street before turning right onto Windsor Bridge. There are a wide range of pubs and cafes catering for all sorts of tastes on both sides of the bridge plus a chance to do a bit of shopping.
Upon crossing the bridge and reaching the far side, turn immediately right down a relatively steep set of stairs to the riverside following the riverside walk through to River Street on your left. Turn left into River Street and follow this for about 100 meters to the intersection with Thames Street.
For those wishing to avoid the stairs, continue straight on down Thames Street, turning right at the intersection into Thames Ave and following this through to River Street where you will turn left.
Thames Ave & Street are particularly busy thoroughfares, so please take extra care when crossing these road.
From here simply follow Thames Street for about 200m, keeping Windsor Castle on your left, to the entrance to Windsor & Eton Central Station.