Goring

About

Goring is situated on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire and features the Goring Gap which sits within both The Chilterns and North Wessex Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Its banks forming the border of Oxfordshire and Berkshire (one in each county). It’s rural setting also places it at the intersection of The Ridgeway, Icknield Way and Thames Path.

Goring has a small high street which has a few shops, pubs and restaurants and two churches, including The Church of England parish church of Saint Thomas of Canterbury is Norman, built early in the 12th century.

The railway came to Goring in the 19th century and it is on the main line between Oxford and London. Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel built the line for the Great Western Railway to connect London with Bristol. Brunel built two, near identical, 4 arch viaducts over the Thames within the Goring Gap, crossing the river at Goring/Basildon (Gatehampton Viaduct) and about 3 miles upstream at Cholsey/Moulsford (Moulsford Viaduct).  Both bridges are listed and protected.

The village faces the village of Streatley across the Thames. The two villages are connected by Goring and Streatley Bridge and its adjacent lock and weir.

Literary Connections

As well as providing inspiration to Three Men in a Boat and Wind in the Willows, in 1893, Oscar Wilde stayed at Ferry House in Goring with Lord Alfred Douglas and began writing his play An Ideal Husband, which includes a major character named Lord Goring.

Things to Do

• Take a walk along the Thames Path National Trail. A six mile walk between Goring and Pangbourne takes you through the dramatic Goring Gap, with the hills dominating the Berkshire Downs to the west and the wooded Chilterns to the east. 
• Or walk in the other direction to the Beetle & Wedge for lunch or dinner. See Teatime in Wonderland’s description of the walk.
• Discover the River Thames with a boat trip to Reading with Salters Steamers (summer only). Take a walk around the Abbey Quarter, dating back over 900 years. Return by train (13 minutes). Check the website for scheduled cruises.  
• Get the family or group of friends together for a scavenger challenge organised by Team Activity Group and explore the historic towns of Goring and Streatley in a fun filled and challenging game. Teams of up to 6 people are challenged to reach certain goals by performing various missions around the town. Minimum 6 people. Find out more.
• Visit Beale Wildlife Park at Lower Basildon, a Riverside park, home to many difference species of birds as well as goats and ponies. There are also picnic areas and other great facilities for those with small children.
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Where to Stay & Eat

Stay at the Miller of Mansfield, a modern inn; a rural retreat, hot on its food and with a serious cellar. Loyal to its 18th century routes, from its near-river situation in Goring on Thames, the modern British food and the 13 boldly bespoke bedrooms provide a very 21st century twist.

Sip a pint, bubbles by the glass or a gin you’ve yet to hear of. Dine on fine food at the level of Michelin quality establishments but with unpretentious and nothing’s-too-much-trouble service.