For this post I’ve driven just a few miles down the road to the historic village of Dorney. The main thing you notice when you arrive is the lovely common at the heart of the village, used for grazing and with views to Windsor Castle. It’s a great place to start a walk. Off we go!
Dorney is a conservation area with lots of beautiful old timber framed houses. There’s plenty to admire as I pass through the village, peering through gateways. Even the local garage is a heritage building.
The old phonebox caught my eye as I strode past, still used both practically to save lives and more creatively as a book exchange. I like it!
The most notable building in the village is Dorney Court, a grade I listed Tudor manor house dating back to 1440. Amazingly, it’s been home to the Palmer family for almost 500 years. This is where the UK’s first ever pineapple was grown back in the 18th century. Not surprisingly, it’s a popular filming location for TV series such as Poirot and Midsomer Murders.
The people of Dorney were obviously quite proud of their pineapple growing prowess, as there are several houses with fruity decorations, and the local pub is called The Pineapple.
The Church of St James the Less nextdoor to the manor dates back to the 12th century, and although it’s been much restored since then it’s still a lovely atmospheric spot to sit and have a breather.
I carry on down the road and soon arrive at the impressive entry to Dorney Lake, venue for the 2012 Olympic rowing events, but actually the property of nearby Eton College. The rowing lake was developed back in 2006 at a cost of £17 million and is the premier such sporting venue in the country. Only the best for those posh schoolboys, you know.
As you would expect, the grounds are immaculate. It’s a real pleasure to walk here, especially when it’s such a lovely sunny day.
You can walk right around the rowing lake, but there’s not really that much to see, so I keep going and after a few minutes I join my beloved Thames Path opposite the bobbing boats of Bray marina. There are a few intriguing landmarks along this stretch of the river that I’m keen to see. The current is slow and lazy – we haven’t had much rain lately and you can tell.
The first landmark I spot fills me with dismay. Redevelopment of the Bray film studios has commenced, with the old mansion house, Down Place, being converted into houses. At least it’s not going to be demolished. Buyers beware though, this is where Dracula, Frankenstein and The Mummy had their finest hours in the gory, glory days of Hammer horror films. A recipe for nightmares perhaps?
Oakleigh Court is next to come into view. This Victorian gothic country house, built in 1827, is a hotel now but it’s famous in popular culture as Frank N Furter’s castle in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It had no heating or plumbing during filming, with the result that poor Susan Sarandon came down with pneumonia.
I’m enjoying today’s walk – being close to the river always makes me feel happy, and it’s a lovely warm and tranquil afternoon. I stop for a selfie. I’m not looking where I’m going. I’m asking for trouble…
Sure enough, something moves down by my feet, and I’m shocked to see a small brown snake uncurling itself. So shocked that I jump violently, my sunglasses hit my nose hard and then clatter down onto the poor sleepy reptile. It slithers off, and I realise that I have blood dripping down my nose. Not a successful encounter for either of us!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a snake enthusiast, after years of having a resident python in my Brisbane garden I know they are fairly harmless if left alone. This meeting was just very unexpected, as I’ve never seen a snake in the UK before. I’m annoyed with myself that I didn’t get a photo. I start walking again, mopping at my injured nose and keeping a close eye on the ground.
Today’s final landmark, the gorgeous little chapel of St Mary Magdalene, Boveney, is so unexpected as you turn the corner. It sits just slightly set back from the banks of the river, as it has since the 12th century, serving as a place of worship for the men who worked on the barges bringing timber down the river. Even back then, it was all about convenience.
I leave the river at the church and head back along a wooded path to Dorney. Today’s walk was close to home but still full of surprises. I will be watching where I step in future!
Steph's Travels 