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Higginson Park, Marlow to Temple Lock circular walk
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Temple Lock is about 1½ miles from Higginson Park, at the river end of the High St. This circular route is about 3 miles in total.
This is a level walk (incline on the bridge beyond Temple Lock). The surface can be muddy in places after rain.
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Turn right into the park at a row of large logs. Pass the skate park, follow the path past the statue of Steve Redgrave and return to the starting point.
A few notes and a bit of History:
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Bisham Church: All Saints Bisham church tower dates from the 12th century, with the parapet added in the 15th century. The church was further extended during the Elizabethan period and the 19th century.
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Just along from the church is Bisham Abbey. Founded in the 12th century, it was once the home of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I and was part of the divorce settlement with Anne of Cleves. It is now a National Sports Centre as well as a Conferencing and Event Centre (eg. corporate, weddings).
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Temple Lock: There was a weir and flash lock here from the mid 16th century. The first pound lock was built in 1773 and rebuilt in 1782. A new lock was built in 1890; as this was built alongside the old one, both can be seen today.
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Temple Footbridge: This was completed in 1989 as part of the Thames Path project. It enables a continuous riverside walk from Marlow to Henley. It crosses at the same point as the Temple Ferry, which ceased in 1953.
This is the view beyond the bridge, with Harleyford marina on the right. On this walk the mid point of the bridge is where we turn round and head back. As an alternative walk, you could continue over the bridge and follow the river for 3 miles to Hambledon Lock (actually at Mill End), where you can cross the river to the A4155 and catch the Henley to Marlow bus. Alternatively, rather than cross the river, continue the further 3½ miles to Henley.
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The footpath at 'E' |
E to F: Harleyford Golf course in the distance |
E to F: View towards the river |
Steve Redgrave |
Back at Higginson Park, near the main gates (and also at the other end of the main path to the river) is an information sign about the park and its history, starting with the building of the Court Garden mansion in 1758 by Dr Battie (the origin of the word 'batty'). The park is named after General Sir George Higginson, who was associated with the fund raising for the park to be purchased in 1926 by the town.