Marlow Walks to cure those lockdown blues
Where can I take the kids in lockdown (again)
Parents, by the look on your face you are SO OVER lockdown No.3, and by hecky peck, so are we. ‘ARE YOU ACTUALLY TAKING THE BLEEP?’ could be heard from most parent’s ‘inner voice’ when the announcement of the third lockdown came through. Yet in true stoic fashion, we put on our grown-up pants, mulled over the prospect of home-schooling AGAIN, and thought about the many more…many, many more Marlow walks we could try to endure, apologies, enjoy with the kids.
If you’re like us, you’ve probably already covered the same country walks a couple of hundred times over the past year, or possibly even tried to be adventurous by getting the kids covered in mud on a new route. This often involves losing the car, in the dark, and spending the following day cleaning the caked-on mud from said car and everywhere in the house.
So, in parental solidarity, we’ve put together our very own tried-and-tested Marlow walks which tire out the kids and allow a little head-space for you parents. As we are good conscientious parents trying to adhere to the lockdown rules (!), the below are all Marlow walks, which hopefully help you to not veer too far from home.
Did we mention the aid of a hip flask comes highly recommended? Just make sure the question ‘who is driving home?’ is asked beforehand. As we say, tried-and-tested!
1. Happy Valley
This short circular Marlow walk is under 1.5 miles; perfect for little feet and exhausted parents. It starts at the Henley Road end of Pound Lane and loops up-hill and across, to just brush the edge of Marlow Common Woods, before returning back. If you are feeling adventurous, you could extend the walk into the woods which caters for those kids who need to go berserk before heading home. Which actually, appears to be most kids at the moment!
2. Bovingdon Green
Starting near the Royal Oak pub in Bovingdon Green, this fab short Marlow walk is also under 1.5 miles long. Travelling down into Marlow Common Woods this short walk can be extended into a longer walk by taking additional footpaths into the woods, where again, the kids can let off some steam.
3. Marlow Bottom Woods
Sitting between Marlow and Marlow Bottom, this woodland can be accessed from either Gypsy Lane near the Britannia Pub OR The Ridgeway. It’s easy to walk through and explore the woods – and if you can find it, the kids will love the big tree swing!
4. Little Marlow Sailing Club
There are several routes to take so this walk can be as long or short as you fancy. With young children in tow, it’s best to drive to the Spade Oak car park in Little Marlow to begin this route. If you are keen for a longer walk, then the route can be taken from Marlow by walking along the river towards Bourne End. WARNING: prepare for mud in the winter months!
5. Marlow Common Woods
This walk is just a stone’s throw from the town and is our favourite jaunt at the moment for a few reasons…the walk can be as long or as short as you desire, there are swings AND some pretty awesome dens. It’s also not very busy and with a few fallen trees, the entertainment for the kids can last for hours. When you get to Marlow Common Woods you will see a fork in the road; there is parking to the left and to the right. If you continue to the right, you will see obvious parking but at busy times you might need to continue along the road.
6. Marlow Rugby Club river walk
This is also a short circular route that spans around 1.5 miles. You could make it longer however, by following the river towards Bourne End. For the longer walk, don your wellies and continue up the river for as long as you like! For the shorter circular walk, follow the map on the link below.
7. Bisham Woods
Bisham or Quarry? Hmm, we say Bisham but the kids say Quarry. You might even call them Cookham woods if you dare! However, for the purposes of staying local to Marlow during the lockdown, these woods are just on the other side of the river, up Quarry Wood Lane. Again, these wooded rambles can be for as long or as short as you like. You will find more fallen tree climbing frames for the kids (or for you, if that’s your jam), plus rope swings and dens (for parents) to hide in. Parking is just on the outskirts along the road and you may need to take a slight detour to park on busier days. Enjoy!
Where can I take the kids in lockdown (again)
Parents, by the look on your face you are SO OVER lockdown No.3, and by hecky peck, so are we. ‘ARE YOU ACTUALLY TAKING THE BLEEP?’ could be heard from most parent’s ‘inner voice’ when the announcement of the third lockdown came through. Yet in true stoic fashion, we put on our grown-up pants, mulled over the prospect of home-schooling AGAIN, and thought about the many more…many, many more Marlow walks we could try to endure, apologies, enjoy with the kids.
If you’re like us, you’ve probably already covered the same country walks a couple of hundred times over the past year, or possibly even tried to be adventurous by getting the kids covered in mud on a new route. This often involves losing the car, in the dark, and spending the following day cleaning the caked-on mud from said car and everywhere in the house.
So, in parental solidarity, we’ve put together our very own tried-and-tested Marlow walks which tire out the kids and allow a little head-space for you parents. As we are good conscientious parents trying to adhere to the lockdown rules (!), the below are all Marlow walks, which hopefully help you to not veer too far from home.
Did we mention the aid of a hip flask comes highly recommended? Just make sure the question ‘who is driving home?’ is asked beforehand. As we say, tried-and-tested!
1. Happy Valley
This short circular Marlow walk is under 1.5 miles; perfect for little feet and exhausted parents. It starts at the Henley Road end of Pound Lane and loops up-hill and across, to just brush the edge of Marlow Common Woods, before returning back. If you are feeling adventurous, you could extend the walk into the woods which caters for those kids who need to go berserk before heading home. Which actually, appears to be most kids at the moment!
2. Bovingdon Green
Starting near the Royal Oak pub in Bovingdon Green, this fab short Marlow walk is also under 1.5 miles long. Travelling down into Marlow Common Woods this short walk can be extended into a longer walk by taking additional footpaths into the woods, where again, the kids can let off some steam.
3. Marlow Bottom Woods
Sitting between Marlow and Marlow Bottom, this woodland can be accessed from either Gypsy Lane near the Britannia Pub OR The Ridgeway. It’s easy to walk through and explore the woods – and if you can find it, the kids will love the big tree swing!
4. Little Marlow Sailing Club
There are several routes to take so this walk can be as long or short as you fancy. With young children in tow, it’s best to drive to the Spade Oak car park in Little Marlow to begin this route. If you are keen for a longer walk, then the route can be taken from Marlow by walking along the river towards Bourne End. WARNING: prepare for mud in the winter months!
5. Marlow Common Woods
This walk is just a stone’s throw from the town and is our favourite jaunt at the moment for a few reasons…the walk can be as long or as short as you desire, there are swings AND some pretty awesome dens. It’s also not very busy and with a few fallen trees, the entertainment for the kids can last for hours. When you get to Marlow Common Woods you will see a fork in the road; there is parking to the left and to the right. If you continue to the right, you will see obvious parking but at busy times you might need to continue along the road.
6. Marlow Rugby Club river walk
This is also a short circular route that spans around 1.5 miles. You could make it longer however, by following the river towards Bourne End. For the longer walk, don your wellies and continue up the river for as long as you like! For the shorter circular walk, follow the map on the link below.
7. Bisham Woods
Bisham or Quarry? Hmm, we say Bisham but the kids say Quarry. You might even call them Cookham woods if you dare! However, for the purposes of staying local to Marlow during the lockdown, these woods are just on the other side of the river, up Quarry Wood Lane. Again, these wooded rambles can be for as long or as short as you like. You will find more fallen tree climbing frames for the kids (or for you, if that’s your jam), plus rope swings and dens (for parents) to hide in. Parking is just on the outskirts along the road and you may need to take a slight detour to park on busier days. Enjoy!
More family walks
Moor End Common Family Walk Route 2
The lovely circular family walk is approximately 2 miles long cutting through a mix of woodland and open fields. One of the highlights of this walk for our boys is the big hollow in the woods, where the kids loved running down the steeps sides. This plus the bridge running over a very small stream […]
Cliveden Woodland Walk
Cliveden Woodland area is part of the the Cliveden Estate owned by the National Trust. That said, this area has it’s own entrance which is further down the road from the main entrance. The woodlands are a lovely area to explore and there are plenty of natural attractions for kids, from climbing logs, dens to […]
The Flower Pot Pub Walk
This is a short 1.5km walk that we do from Hambledon weir to the Flower Pot pub which is suitable for young children. There are probably many different routes around the pub but this is one we enjoy which is perfect for our 2.5yr and 5yr old boys – they like to spend more time […]