National Trust launches appeal to repair ‘well-loved route’ at Cock Marsh

The National Trust is appealing for help repairing a broken boardwalk which will restore a ‘well-loved route’ near Cookham.

The National Trust manages a patchwork of green areas known as the Maidenhead and Cookham Commons, including Cock Marsh.

This is an area of marshy grassland between the River Thames and the steep chalk grassland slopes of Winter Hill in Cookham.

This area is ‘well-used’ by walkers who cross the river from Bourne End to the viewpoint at Winter Hill; and those who approach the Thames Path from the south along the Chiltern Way.

The Cock Marsh circular takes people along riverside paths, through meadows and over grassland slopes, taking people past several key points of interest in Cookham.

Part of it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), with its marshy areas and meadows lending themselves to a rich ecosystem of ‘rare and interesting’ species.

The wetland meadows of Cock Marsh are ‘very important’ for breeding waders and overwintering birds, as well as rare plant species.

Ponds support specialist plants such as the rare sedge brown galingale, which is found in ‘only a handful of other sites’ in Britain.

In May 2024, the boardwalk near Marsh Meadow had to be closed because it became ‘unsafe’ due to repeated flooding.

At that time, the area ranger for Maidenhead and Cookham Commons said that the trust was looking into fundraising options to replace it.

The charity received unprompted offers of donations to help repair the boardwalk when it started to decline.

Now the Trust’s ranger team has launched a fundraising appeal to support its repair before winter – when the marsh is much more likely to flood – so people can keep using the route.

The boardwalk was installed in 1986 using timber from a fallen oak tree on National Trust land at Pinkneys Green.

It was built ‘to ease the route’ across the wettest part of the marsh, which is often underwater in winter and spring.

Over time, weather and wear ‘have taken their toll’, says the Trust, and the boardwalk is now ‘in need of urgent repair’ to make it safe for everyone to use.

The project will cost approximately £10,000 and involves lifting sections of the boardwalk to repair the understructure (beams, supports etc).

Large ground screws will be put in place to hold the supporting beams. The existing boardwalk will then be fixed back onto the new frame, with any missing timber planks replaced.

Tim Crauford, National Trust’s lead ranger of the Cliveden portfolio, said: “Repairing the boardwalk has been high on our priority list since we had to close it for safety reasons last year.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to enjoy Cock Marsh all year round, and restoring this well-loved route will help walkers, families and nature-lovers continue to explore this special landscape safely.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve already received and hope the community will rally behind this appeal.”

To contribute to the appeal, visit tinyurl.com/fufrscc2 and click on the tab ‘About Maidenhead and Cookham Commons’ to see the donate button.

All donations submitted will go to the repair of the boardwalk and other work at Maidenhead and Cookham Commons.