Cookham and Cock Marsh Walk, Maidenhead

This gentle circular route from Cookham explores a classic stretch of the River Thames on the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire border. Setting out across Cookham Moor, the path leads into the village and down to Cookham Bridge, where the Thames slides broad and slow beneath the ironwork.

From the bridge, the walk follows the riverbank out onto Cock Marsh, an open expanse of grazing meadow backed by low chalk hills. Along the way you pass the mouth of the Lulle Brook, glimpse the quiet backwater of Hedsor Water, and cross Fleet Ditch as it drains into the main river. The Old Swan Uppers pub sits handily near the return leg, and a short detour takes in Odney Common, another loop of Thames-side meadow much loved by locals.

At 5.7 km with only modest ascent, the loop makes an easy half-day out, with wide skies, riverside benches and plenty of birdlife on the water. Underfoot it is mostly level towpath and meadow, with a short pull back up towards the village to finish.