TOP TEN

THE TOP 10 'must do' local activities for visitors

1 Walk on Lardon Chase, Streatley

View from Lardon Chase (NT)

The stunning views from this National Trust meadow across the river to Goring and the Chilterns beyond are worth the effort of climbing the hill. You can either walk up the hill to the top (from the Bull pub) or drive up Streatley Hill to the free NT car park at the top on the right hand side. When at the top of the escarpment (up to 138m/453ft above sea level and about 100m/328ft above the river below), the walk along the ridge is flat and easy, ideal for those not wanting to climb up from the bottom.
See walking routes

2 Enjoy the view from Hartslock Nature Reserve

Hartslock Nature Reserve

It is easy to spend a few hours on the slopes of this beautiful, orchid-rich 11 acre site, owned by The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). The grassland chalk downland hill has breathtaking views over the river Thames and the Goring Gap and is surrounded by ancient hedges and home to a very wide variety of plants and animals, some of which are extremely rare. Like Lardon Chase NT, it is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
See walking routes

3 Stroll along the Thames Path towpath

Thames Path

Starting at Goring Lock, the hard towpath (part of the National Thames Path Trail) continues past Ferry Lane as a track through the woods and is a beautiful riverside walk. A convenient point to turn around is after the path goes through some meadows and reaches the Brunel railway bridge at Gatehampton. (2.5mile/1 hour round trip).
See walking routes

4 Enjoy the Goring & Streatley Festival

Green Room Collective - Opening Ceremony

A relatively new cultural calendar and a must if you’re in the locality at the time. The inaugural festival was in the summer of 2014 and a creative, high quality series of events for people of most ages and tastes. The 2020 Festival has been cancelled due to Covid-19

5 Have breakfast at Pierreponts

Al fresco dining at Pierreponts

Voted one of the top 10 cafés/restaurants in Britain for breakfast or brunch. Eat inside or out and set yourself up for the day in the award-winning riverside café serving home-made food on the Goring end of the bridge.

6 Join the Christmas Carols on Streatley Meadow

Goring Procession on the High Street

On Christmas Eve why not join the residents of Goring and Streatley and congregate in Streatley Meadow to sing carols. Accompanied by the local concert band and guest singers and warmed (maybe) by a huge bonfire, it’s a special festive experience.

7 Hire a boat and take a picnic on the river (Suspended)

Swan Boathouse

Due to their ambitious rebuilding project and Covid-19, The Swan have suspended boat hire until further notice.

8 Enjoy the racing and fun at Goring & Streatley Regatta

Coxed Fours

In July, one of the oldest rowing regattas on the Thames (started in 1888) bursts into life just upstream of Cleeve Lock. Plenty of food, drink, fun and entertainment on the bank as well as some serious and not-so-serious activities on the water.

9 Sit by the lock and
watch the world go by

Goring Lock

If you’re not feeling too energetic after a nice lunch in one of the local hostelries, spend a lazy time watching boaters negotiating the gates of the lock, people feeding the ducks and others simply enjoying their day too.

Lock Approach in High Summer

10 Browse in Goring High Street's shops

Browsing in Barbara's

Souvenirs, gifts, collectables, books, postcards & toys are all available in the cluster of shops in the centre of the village - Barbara’s (Antiques & bric-á-brac & books), Inspiration (Gifts, cards & toys), Mary S (Gifts and fabrics), Art at Goring (Gallery and cards) & Ruby Pepper (Ladies fashion boutique).