A river walk 17th July 2010

The track from the village across South field leads to the River Thames.

Two footbridges cross the feeder stream known as the Roundmoor Ditch.

Going east with the flow of the river, the towpath leads to Eton and Windsor. Going west, it leads to Boveney, Dorney, Bray and on to Maidenhead.

It is here that the river water is quiet and shallow near to the water's edge. This has been a favourite place for many generations of Eton Wick children to play, fish, paddle, and spend many happy hours of those carefree days of childhood.

Across the river at the far bank is the Royal Windsor Racecourse. The first meeting at Royal Windsor was held in 1866. The racecourse is on an island situated between the river and a mill stream backwater. The course is a flat figure-of-eight slightly more than a mile and a half in length, with a final straight of five furlongs.

It is also a favourite place for Canada Geese to gather and feed.

Going up-river towards Maidenhead, one tow path follows the river bank whilst the other tarmacadam path lies a small distance back from the river.

Messing about in boats is a pastime enjoyed by many on the River Thames. French Brothers boats ply from Windsor to Boveney Lock and beyond, whilst private pleasure craft, rowing boats and canoes are seen in the summer months.

This French Brothers boat is the Windsor Sovereign, heading up river to Boveney Lock. French Brothers commenced river cruises on the Thames in 1978.

Approaching Boveney Lock

Approaching Boveney Lock again, this time by the river bank towpath.

Boveney Lock was first built in 1838, then rebuilt in 1898 when a set of boat rollers were installed on the old site

Following the river towpath on from the lock leads to the Boveney Church of St. Mary Magdalene.

The Church of St. Mary Magdalene is thought to be pre-Norman. It is possible that the church was used by bargees when local timber was transported from the nearby busy wharf to London by barge. The church has now been taken over by the charity 'Friends of Friendless Churches'.

Close by is Boveney Court, which is said to have been used by the nuns in connection with their duties at the nearby Church of St. Mary Magdalene. The picture shows a view of Conker Alley, looking back along the made-up road.

The view across the fields to Eton Wick and beyond with the cooling towers and powerhouse chimneys of Slough Trading Estate.

A short distance along the Thames Path from the church at Boveney is the boathouse at Dorney Lake. A rowing lake, over two kilometres in length, was opened in the year 2000, under the ownership of Eton College. It will be the main centre for rowing events in the 2012 London Olympics. You've reached the end of the trail!