Cookham and Cock Marsh walk
Follow this circular walk along riverside paths, through lush meadows and over chalk grassland slopes and enjoy panoramic views across the Thames Valley.
Total steps: 11
Total steps: 11
Start point
Cookham Moor car park. SU892853
Step 1
Start at the National Trust Car Park at Cookham Moor. Cross the road (B4447) and take the short path up to the Fleet Bridge and onto the causeway.
Step 2
Turn left at the bridge and follow the causeway towards the War Memorial and Cookham Village high street.
Step 3
Staying on the south side of the High Street, continue through the village until you reach the Stanley Spencer Gallery on your right. You are now at the junction of the B4447 and the A4094.
Step 4
From the Stanley Spencer Gallery, cross the High Street (B4447) and follow the A4094 north for about 75 metres past the Tarry Stone on your right. Turn left down Church Gate and after a further 50 metres, turn right into the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church.
Step 5
Follow the path to the left of the church for about 200 metres, go through a gate and you'll reach the Thames Path. Here turn left again, following the riverside path as it gently curves to the north. After about a kilometre along the waterside, you'll go through a gate onto Cock Marsh. Commoners graze cattle here so please keep your dogs on leads or under close control.
Step 6
Continue along the edge of the Thames, with Cock Marsh on your left and the river on your right. After another 500 metres cross under a railway bridge. You'll now have houses on your left and the river on your right. The Bounty pub can be found along this stretch of river. At the end of the line of riverside buildings go through a gate and immediately turn left. Heading away from the river, follow the broad grassy path towards the slope of Winter Hill. Look out for the Bronze Age burial mounds to either side of the path.
Step 7
The path passes to the left of the largest of the burial mounds. Continue in the same direction for a further 250 metres, towards a wooden boardwalk. The boardwalk crosses an ancient, abandoned channel of the Thames and still floods regularly in winter. Cross the boardwalk towards a wooden bench (be careful, it can be slippery when wet) and turn right onto a broad gravel and grass track. If you wish to avoid the short but steep climb up Winter Hill, turn left along the broad gravel track and follow it around the base of the hill and under the railway to reach point 11 on the route. This route is level all the way back to the car park.
Step 8
Follow the track west with the steep slope on your left and Cock Marsh on your right. After about 400 metres you'll reach a junction of paths by a hollow in the hillside. Turn sharp left, taking the steep path uphill for 200 metres, where you'll meet a crossing path. Turn sharp right and continue on a reasonably level path for 150 metres. Look out for an uphill path to a wooden gate on your left.
Step 9
Head up the slope, pass through the wooden gate and continue straight ahead along the edge of a field with a fence on your left. Here you can see downriver, with parts of Cliveden House visible on the distant hilltop. As you approach a cluster of buildings, turn left onto a waymarked footpath heading gently downhill following the hedge on your right. At the end of the hedge continue straight ahead along the public right of way across Winter Hill Golf Course. You'll eventually reach a bridge over the railway line.
Step 10
Cross the bridge and turn immediately right, following the grassy path and keeping to the edge of the golf course. The path leads to a small car park and heads towards a lane. Just before you reach the lane turn left along a waymarked footpath, which is initially a track but soon becomes a narrower path between a hedge on your right and a paddock on your left.
Step 11
On reaching a kissing gate, turn right following a footpath between a stream (Strand Water) on your left and some paddocks on your right. When the path meets a crossing track, turn right into Cookham Moor car park where you started the walk.
End point
Cookham Moor car park. SU892853
Trail map
More near here
The long Wind in the Willows walk
A 5-mile walk along country lanes, woodland and the village of Cookham Dean that takes in places that inspired Wind in the Willows author Kenneth Grahame.
Cliveden blue walking trail
A family-friendly woodland walk with a natural den and picnic area, plus a play trail featuring a rope swing, stepping stones and balancing beams.
Cliveden gold walking trail
Take in tranquil riverside scenery, shady woodland, dramatic views of the Berkshire countryside and places of historical interest on this circular trail.
Cliveden woodland walking trail
Explore the woodland at Cliveden on this moderate walk taking in a play trail for the kids, picnic areas and spectacular views over the River Thames and the surrounding countryside.
Get in touch
Pinkneys Green, Pinkneys Drive, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 6QD
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
Walking
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.
Staying safe at National Trust places
The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.
Things to do at Cookham Commons
Enjoy rural countryside walks, impressive views over the landscape and find plenty of wildlife at Cookham Commons, the hidden gems of the Berkshire countryside.
Things to do at Maidenhead Commons
Find an abundance of wildflowers, peaceful woodland walks and plenty of wildlife all year round at Maidenhead Commons, the hidden gems of the Berkshire countryside.
Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner
Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.
Walking in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
From gentle strolls for little legs to longer hikes through the rolling Chiltern hills, these are some of the best walks in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.