[1] From the car park walk a few yards north to the riverside, turn right and follow the Thames Path. After passing Reading Bluecoat School Boat Club, shortly reach Sonning Lock. After ¼ mile of tarmac path reach the brick built Sonning Bridge.
(A) Sonning, sometimes called Sonning-on-Thames. The historical name of the village is Sunning derived from the Saxon Sunna. Sonning prospered as an important stopping post for travellers, both by road and boat. One old hostelry is the Great House on the site of the original ferryman’s cottage. The Great Western Railway passes about half a mile to the south of the village in a 2 miles long cutting, opened in 1840, and the site of a very early railway disaster in 1841 when a train ran into a landslip and 9 passengers died when thrown from open trucks behind the engine. It is a pretty village with still today many older buildings of character. Jerome K. Jerome in his book Three Men in a Boat described it as “the most fairy-like little nook on the whole river”.
Follow the Thames Path sign, turning left and crossing the bridge on the left hand pavement. At the far end of the bridge, cross the road and enter a narrow concrete bridge signed Thames Path ‘Shiplake 3 miles’. At end of bridge, turn right through a gate and follow riverside footpath for about two miles ignoring any paths which lead away from the river.
(B) The Thames Path was opened in 1996 following the length of the River, sometimes on one bank, sometimes on the other, from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier at Greenwich, some 184 miles. The entire length of the Path can be walked and some parts cycled; and most of it uses the original towpath.
[2] Cross a wooden footbridge in front of Shiplake College Boat Houses. The steep path behind the boat houses takes you to St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church
(C) Reached by taking the steep path up the hill just behind the Shiplake College boathouse, the earliest parts of St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church date from about 1140. In 1850 Tennyson married Emily Sellwood in this church.
Continue on riverside path passing through a metal kissing gate marking the edge of the grounds of Shiplake College.
(D) The original buildings of Shiplake Court date from 1890. It was a private residence, and then owned by the BBC until being bought by Alexander and Eunice Everett in 1958 with the intention of opening a school. Shiplake College opened its doors on May 1st 1959 and now stands in 45 acres. It is an independent school of about 370 pupils; admits day boys from 11-18 and boarding boys from 13-18. Day and boarding girls join in the 6th form. Pupils are encouraged to pursue a broad education including development of leadership and management skills.
The river bank then widens out into a meadow, which you cross towards a metal kissing gate before reaching Shiplake Lock.
[3] Facing a flint wall, follow Thames Path left away from the lock. After 75 yards, turn right at road, then after 20 yards left onto path signed Thames Path. In a short distance, the path opens into a field; follow left hand boundary straight ahead towards houses. Near the end of the field, veer left through a metal kissing gate to cross another small field to a second metal kissing gate followed by steps up to a drive. Turn left over a small brick bridge. At the Mill Road, turn right and follow it until you reach a cross roads. Turn right into Station Road and in 100 yards reach the station car park.
Alternative Route: A newly created section of public right of way allows alternative route along the river bank which adds about one mile to the length of the walk. Ignore the sign for Thames Path and continue ahead following the sign marked “Restricted Byway”. Within 300 yards pass under the railway and turn immediately right to follow a well worn path along the railway embankment to the river bank. Turn left along the river bank which loops round until reaching a metal gate next to a display board with a history of Lashbrook Ferry. The new public right of way is also shown on the board. Pass through the metal gate and go straight ahead across the meadow. Cross a wooden footbridge with gates at each end to reach a metal kissing gate. Turn left and with care go under the viaduct (about 5 ft headroom). Follow the path and go past the wooden Lashbrook Chapel to emerge onto the Mill Road. Turn right and continue as above to reach Shiplake Station.
If you wish to continue with the next section of the Way (Part 1), from car park, cross the road and turn right to cross the railway line. Turn immediately left to follow the Thames Path.