Hambleden Mill

Hambleden Mill is an historic watermill built for grinding flour. It was constructed on the fast-flowing and narrow Hambleden Bourne, which discharges into the River Thames at this point. It has now been converted into flats and is Grade II listed. A mill on this site was mentioned in the Domesday Book when it had a rent of £1 per year. A nearby fishery at Hambleden in 1086 produced 1,000 eels, for which this part of the Thames was famous. Alison Uttley, who is best known for her children's series about Little Grey Rabbit and Sam Pig, described the Mill building as ‘The most beautiful place in the whole length of the long Thames valley’ and it appears in many paintings and photographs.

Excellent variety of land- and river-scapes. One word of warning; the first four miles are very flat, and the last two miles are the most challenging, so save something for the final push (or do it in reverse order)!