Ipsden Wood – River Thames loop from Checkendon
Ipsden Wood – River Thames loop from Checkendon
4.0
(2)
10
riders
Ipsden Wood – River Thames loop from Checkendon
02:12
35.8km
300m
Cycling
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Includes segments that go up or down a series of steps
You may need to carry your bike.
After 13.0 km for 17 m
After 13.2 km for 17 m
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1.45 km
Ipsden Wood
Highlight • Forest
Tip by
1.76 km
Bluebell Woodland in Chilterns National Landscape
Highlight • Natural Monument
6.28 km
St John the Baptist Church, Kidmore End
Highlight • Historical Site
Tip by
6.37 km
Kidmore End Well
Highlight • Historical Site
Tip by
13.1 km
River Thames
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
18.8 km
Clayfield Copse
Nature Reserve
33.7 km
Stoke Row Store & Coffee Shop
Highlight • Cafe
Tip by
33.9 km
Maharajah's Well and the Golden Elephant Statue
Highlight • Monument
The 368-foot deep well, under its domed canopy (made by a foundry in Wallingford), was paid for by the Maharajah of Benares (now Varanasi). He had met the young Edward Reade, the local squire, who spent many years in India where among other work he helped to sink a well for a village in Benares. He told the Maharajah that drought conditions also occurred on parts of the Chilterns.
Moved by Reade's stories of water shortage in Ipsden (the parish which then included the settlement of Stoke Row) – the water had to be fetched by hand from miles away – the Maharajah paid for a well to be dug in Stoke Row, at a cost of around £400, as well as a small well-keeper's cottage and a cherry orchard. The cherries from the orchard provided an income to help pay for the well’s upkeep.
The well is 4 feet in diameter, dug by hand mostly through chalk, and is deeper that the height of two Nelson's columns. It took a year to complete and was opened on the Queen’s birthday in 1864. The well was in use for over 70 years and was a huge benefit to Stoke Row as a community.
Prince Philip's visit to mark the well's centenary in 1964 is still remembered in the hand-coloured red helicopter on every copy of the village newsletter, the Stoke Row News.
In 2008 the canopy was re-painted to restore it to its original Victorian glory.
Tip by
34.0 km
St John the Evangelist Church, Stoke Row
Highlight • Historical Site
The building is a beautiful example of simple Victorian architecture. The rectangular floor space accommodates a nave seating about 90 people and a spacious chancel area.
There is a tower at the north-east corner which houses the vestry, clock and bell.
The exterior of the building is a fine example of flintwork in a variety of styles and the roof is slate, with cedar shingles on the bell tower.
A delightful rose window was designed and made by Barbara Batt. The clock is a rare example from the 1920’s which is still in working order. It has recently been restored.
Cit. langtreechurches.org/locations/st-john-the-evangelist-church-stoke-row
Tip by
35.8 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
29.9 km
2.87 km
2.57 km
299 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
31.1 km
4.38 km
261 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (180 m)
Lowest point (40 m)
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Weather
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Saturday 4 July
28°C
14°C
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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