This is a short stage so there is plenty of time to watch the changing of the guard, from 10.45 Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and to have a look at the Eton College Olympic rowing lake.

1: Windsor Central Station. From the station entrance turn left and continue round the castle and across the road to the bridge connecting Windsor with Eton. Cross the river and turn left at the Thames Path sign down Brocas St. Keep left to reach the river bank. There is a good retrospective view of Windsor Castle. Continue along the bank and go under the railway and the A 332. A short cut may be taken here to the bend in river. Cross bridge and shortly come to ‘Athens’, a former bathing place for Eton schoolboys. They had strict instructions not to scandalise the ladies on the passing pleasure boats. Continue past Windsor Racecourse across the river and come to Boveney lock. A little further on is the redundant 12th Century St Mary Magdelene Church which was taken over by the Friends of Friendless Churches and restored by various charities.

2: St Mary Magdelene Church. Continue along the river bank for another two miles where a footpath on the right leads to the Eton College Olympic rowing lake, known as Dorney Lake. Walks along the lake and through the arboretum used to be open to the public all through the year, but access is now limited to between September and April because of vandalism. Very soon leave the towpath and cross the footbridge over the river where there is a good view of Monkey Island. At paths junction, turn right on footpath which becomes a lane leading to a bridge over the M4.

3: Crossing the M4. Continue along the road leading into Bray and follow the road round to the left. Bear right on minor road then turn right on main road. Pass the Hinds Head and turn left on the next track, the Green Way. Cross two footbridges, one across the Cut and the next over a minor waterway. At junction with road, turn right then left on cycleway 4. At the next path junction there is the option of continuing along the cycleway or turning right and going along the Cut. The path veers away from the Cut and rejoins the cycleway at the other end of the nature reserve. Keep on the Green Way to the road, cross at the traffic lights and continue on the Green Way. Leave it at the next road junction, turn left, bear left at main road then cross roads at traffic lights to reach Maidenhead Station.