In 1771 James Wyatt erected a summer house on a small island in the Thames between Hambleden and Henley. As this summer house is based on the design of a classical temple, the island has become known as Temple Island. This distinctive folly (pictured), set against a background of the trees, has become the elegant starting point for the Henley Regatta Races. In 1829 the first boat race between crews from Oxford and Cambridge took place along this stretch of the river between Hambleden Lock and Henley Bridge. This led on to the Regatta being established in 1839, and when Prince Albert became its patron in 1851 it became the Henley Royal Regatta. Temple Island has now been acquired on lease by the Regatta Stewards.

Our circular walk starts in Henley and after crossing over Henley Bridge, picks up the Thames Path on the Berkshire side of the river Thames. The walk then follows the river along the course of the Henley Royal Regatta, past Temple Island and on to Hambleden Lock. The walk returns inland passing the Flower Pot Hotel in Aston then over high ground overlooking the Greenlands Estate, which is the largest single area protected by National Trust covenants, given by the third Viscount Hambleden in 1944 to protect the landscape and buildings. The final part of the walk is through Remenham Wood and along higher ground overlooking the Thames before returning to the start across Henley Bridge.