Terms & Frequently Asked Questions
All participants are requested to take part in a safe way and to adhere to the following guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone, so please.
Where can I park?
There is limited parking at Boulters Lock Car Park, which is free on the day, so please share transport where you can. Unfortunately there is no parking at Checkpoint 2, Woolley Cottage, though there are roads which are not too far away which can be used for parking.
Are there toilets on the route?
Toilet facilities are available at base camp (Boulters Lock Car Park), Ockwells Park, at checkpoint 2 and the various pubs along the way.
Can we get refreshments on the route?
Water and soft drinks are available at all check points. Tea and coffee can be had at the Finish at Boulters Lock (proceeds to Rotary Charity Fund) and Woolley Cottage (proceeds to Thames Valley Adventure Playground.)
What MUST I bring with me on the day?
Can I bring my dog?
Of course you can, its always great to see our four-legged friends out enjoying the walk. Please note if you decide to do half of the route we cannot provide transport for your dog, as volunteers use their own cars for this.
What is the path like?
The path is a mixture of pavements and the Thames path itself so in wet weather it can get a bit muddy, so do take care on your walk.
Is the walk suitable for pushchairs?
Yes it is suitable for pushchairs and we love to have little people enjoying the day too. However the route does follow the Thames Path so at some points it becomes narrow and muddy, so please bear this in mind.
Do I have to raise money for charity?
No you do not have to raise money for charity in order to do the walk, however we do encourage you to use this as a fundraising event for a charity you are passionate about. Or perhaps for Rotary, so that we can continue our work in the local community. Please note even if you are not raising funds for charity you are required to bring a sponsor form with you.
Do I really have to bring a sponsor form with me on the day?
Yes, every walker must have their own sponsor form. We will use this to know who is still out on the walk, so we can send out a search party if needed. We also use the information on the form to create your certificate. In case of an emergency we may need to contact a relative.
Can I do a shorter walk?
If you don’t fancy doing the 13 mile route then there are shorter options. You can either start at Boulters Lock car park and walk to Checkpoint 2 at Wooley Cottage (7.5 miles) and our shuttle service will bring you back to base. Or you can start at Wooley Cottage and walk to Boulters Lock, again with a shuttle service to take you back to Wooley Cottage. If you decide to stop at any other point then please inform a volunteer at a checkpoint that you are abandoning the walk.
Please note, we cannot transport dogs or children requiring the use of a car/booster seat as our volunteers insurance does not cover this.
Can I abandon the walk half way round?
Yes you can choose to stop at any point on the walk, but you must inform a volunteer at your nearest checkpoint first so we know you have decided to leave early. If you don't do this we will be out looking for you at the end of the day!
What happens if the river crossing is not operating?
On the rare occasion that we have to stop the river crossing due to bad weather or dangerous river conditions we will inform walkers on the day. You can still do the walk, following the old boundary of Maidenhead, by proceeding along the towpath to the M4 footbridge, you then walk back to Bray via Old Mill Lane. This adds an extra 1.6 miles to the walk.
Can I just turn up on the day?
Yes but please bring a completed sponsor form with you to speed up registration. When you arrive at Boulters Lock car park go to the New Walker Registration queue.
I want to register a group – how do I do this?
Registering a group is very easy to do, simply click here to complete the online form and to pay the £20 group registration fee.
What happens on the day – how do I to check-in?
If you have registered as an individual online then on the day please arrive at Boulters Lock Car Park between 9am and 10-30am. You will still need to check-in at the “Online Walker Check-in” desk at the start, as we need to keep track of you for safety reasons. Once at the desk hand in your sponsor form and you will be given your walker card. Please note YOU MUST bring your sponsor form with you. If someone wants to join you on the walk and they have not pre-registered they will need to register on the day at the “New Walker Registrations” Desk and pay the entry fee.
If you are a pre-registered group then the above applies to you also, but go to the "Group Registration" queue instead.
What is the role of the group organiser?
As group organiser you are responsible for ensuring all your members have completed a sponsor form and that they have all the details needed to do the walk on the day. You are also responsible for registering your group on the day. Please note we will only register the whole group on arrival and cannot register individuals from your group to avoid confusion.
How many people have to be in the group to qualify for discounted entry?
To qualify for the one off £20 entry fee you need a minimum of 15 people in your group.
Is there a prize for the largest group taking part in the walk?
We do have a prize, in the form of a trophy, for the group that has the most walkers! Can you take on the challenge?
How far do we have to walk to qualify for the prize?
To qualify for the group prize the whole group must walk at least half of the route.
The organisers can accept no responsibility or liability for any loss or injury to property or persons involved in this event however caused.
- Park vehicles appropriately
- Be careful when crossing and walking on our roads
- Check on the weather and take suitable clothing
- Consider hydration and plan your refreshments, rests and toilet breaks
- Protect our environment, take your litter with you and look after your dogs
- Please be neighbourly and keep noise to a minimum
- Tell other people where you are going and at what time, so someone can raise the alarm if you do not return.
- Ensure your phone is fully charged before you go and consider taking a battery charger with you
- Carry emergency contact details with you (think about track and trace)
Where can I park?
There is limited parking at Boulters Lock Car Park, which is free on the day, so please share transport where you can. Unfortunately there is no parking at Checkpoint 2, Woolley Cottage, though there are roads which are not too far away which can be used for parking.
Are there toilets on the route?
Toilet facilities are available at base camp (Boulters Lock Car Park), Ockwells Park, at checkpoint 2 and the various pubs along the way.
Can we get refreshments on the route?
Water and soft drinks are available at all check points. Tea and coffee can be had at the Finish at Boulters Lock (proceeds to Rotary Charity Fund) and Woolley Cottage (proceeds to Thames Valley Adventure Playground.)
What MUST I bring with me on the day?
- Wear comfortable shoes or boots, carry a lightweight waterproof
- Suitable clothing - warm & wet weather, as well as sun cream as you can never predict the British weather!
- Your sponsor form - every walker needs a form even if you're not raising funds as we use this for safety reasons to know who is still out on the walk.
- Route Map (click here to download)
- Water to keep you going!
Can I bring my dog?
Of course you can, its always great to see our four-legged friends out enjoying the walk. Please note if you decide to do half of the route we cannot provide transport for your dog, as volunteers use their own cars for this.
What is the path like?
The path is a mixture of pavements and the Thames path itself so in wet weather it can get a bit muddy, so do take care on your walk.
Is the walk suitable for pushchairs?
Yes it is suitable for pushchairs and we love to have little people enjoying the day too. However the route does follow the Thames Path so at some points it becomes narrow and muddy, so please bear this in mind.
Do I have to raise money for charity?
No you do not have to raise money for charity in order to do the walk, however we do encourage you to use this as a fundraising event for a charity you are passionate about. Or perhaps for Rotary, so that we can continue our work in the local community. Please note even if you are not raising funds for charity you are required to bring a sponsor form with you.
Do I really have to bring a sponsor form with me on the day?
Yes, every walker must have their own sponsor form. We will use this to know who is still out on the walk, so we can send out a search party if needed. We also use the information on the form to create your certificate. In case of an emergency we may need to contact a relative.
Can I do a shorter walk?
If you don’t fancy doing the 13 mile route then there are shorter options. You can either start at Boulters Lock car park and walk to Checkpoint 2 at Wooley Cottage (7.5 miles) and our shuttle service will bring you back to base. Or you can start at Wooley Cottage and walk to Boulters Lock, again with a shuttle service to take you back to Wooley Cottage. If you decide to stop at any other point then please inform a volunteer at a checkpoint that you are abandoning the walk.
Please note, we cannot transport dogs or children requiring the use of a car/booster seat as our volunteers insurance does not cover this.
Can I abandon the walk half way round?
Yes you can choose to stop at any point on the walk, but you must inform a volunteer at your nearest checkpoint first so we know you have decided to leave early. If you don't do this we will be out looking for you at the end of the day!
What happens if the river crossing is not operating?
On the rare occasion that we have to stop the river crossing due to bad weather or dangerous river conditions we will inform walkers on the day. You can still do the walk, following the old boundary of Maidenhead, by proceeding along the towpath to the M4 footbridge, you then walk back to Bray via Old Mill Lane. This adds an extra 1.6 miles to the walk.
Can I just turn up on the day?
Yes but please bring a completed sponsor form with you to speed up registration. When you arrive at Boulters Lock car park go to the New Walker Registration queue.
I want to register a group – how do I do this?
Registering a group is very easy to do, simply click here to complete the online form and to pay the £20 group registration fee.
What happens on the day – how do I to check-in?
If you have registered as an individual online then on the day please arrive at Boulters Lock Car Park between 9am and 10-30am. You will still need to check-in at the “Online Walker Check-in” desk at the start, as we need to keep track of you for safety reasons. Once at the desk hand in your sponsor form and you will be given your walker card. Please note YOU MUST bring your sponsor form with you. If someone wants to join you on the walk and they have not pre-registered they will need to register on the day at the “New Walker Registrations” Desk and pay the entry fee.
If you are a pre-registered group then the above applies to you also, but go to the "Group Registration" queue instead.
What is the role of the group organiser?
As group organiser you are responsible for ensuring all your members have completed a sponsor form and that they have all the details needed to do the walk on the day. You are also responsible for registering your group on the day. Please note we will only register the whole group on arrival and cannot register individuals from your group to avoid confusion.
How many people have to be in the group to qualify for discounted entry?
To qualify for the one off £20 entry fee you need a minimum of 15 people in your group.
Is there a prize for the largest group taking part in the walk?
We do have a prize, in the form of a trophy, for the group that has the most walkers! Can you take on the challenge?
How far do we have to walk to qualify for the prize?
To qualify for the group prize the whole group must walk at least half of the route.
The organisers can accept no responsibility or liability for any loss or injury to property or persons involved in this event however caused.