Explore walks from Elizabeth line stations in new book

Keen walkers will have the chance to explore a series of ‘fascinating’ walks from Elizabeth line stations thanks to the publication of a new book covering the entire spread of the railway.

Produced by Countryside Books and written by author Jeff Lock, the book contains 23 walks all starting at stations on the line, including classic routes along the River Thames at Maidenhead and Taplow.

The £18.9billion Elizabeth line project has been in the works for many years having initially been forecast to complete back in 2018.

However, substantial delays to the scheme meant it has continously been pushed back and Maidenhead and Slough travellers are having to wait until the autumn before linking up with central London tunnels.

The publication of ‘Exploring the Elizabeth Line - 23 Walks from Crossrail Stations’ will mean those who like to venture out on foot will be able to discover picturesque paths just a stone’s throw from various stations on the line.

Walks in this area included in the book include a pleasant riverside stroll from Maidenhead to Marlow via Cookham and Bourne End, which at 10 miles, is one of the longest. Slough to Taplow and a circular walk in Twyford also feature.

As walkers follow directions in the book, they are also taught about the various history at their location, including Maidenhead’s name deriving from Saxon times (maiden hythe, thought to mean ‘new wharf’).

Rory Batho, who looks after Countryside Books’ marketing, said: “It helps to give an idea of what is accessible on the Elizabeth line. All the walks start at a station and are either circular and come back to the same station, or they end at another one.

“The key selling point for the book is that it is now much easier to get to all these places along the line; you can cover that ground very quickly so for people who like getting out walking there are so many places to explore.

“He [Jeff Lock] came to us with this idea and said would we be willing to publish it for him – he is quite into his railways and transport and it occurred to us that this felt like a solid concept.

“It is an exciting thing to have the first major bit of new transport network in the south east in such a long time.

“It is an idea that people have been talking about since the early 20th century and for it to finally come to fruition, it is great to have a book that covers the walks in that area.”

Rory added: “I suspect a lot of people do not know just how beautiful all the Thames path is around Berkshire – the river is very different to how it is in the more central parts of London.

“The book has done really well so far and the British Transport Museum have taken it straight away which is great. It is already one of our best-sellers so there is an appetite.

“I think people are genuinely quite excited about the Elizabeth line and there is that natural interest for the book.”

The book is available for £8.99 at bit.ly/3P83cq1

Readers of the Maidenhead Advertiser get 20 per cent off the book throughout August, by entering the following code at checkout: MA20