Thames Path
The Thames towpath from quiet rural stream, via Oxford, Windsor and surburbia to Central London and the Thames Barrier.
Length | 184 mi (296 km) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Toughness | 1 out of 10 - flat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maps |
OS Explorer Maps : 45, 159, 160, 161, 162, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Walk Notes |
The Thames Path follows the river from source to sea. The path starts at its tranquil source, often some distance from the river which is only a stream at this stage The middle section follows the navigable river's towpath past Oxford, Henley and Windsor. Finally a tidal stretch through central London, past Westminster, the City, Tower Bridge and Docklands to the Thames Barrier. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stages |
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Travel |
Kemble to CrickladeKemble : has a train station which is 2km from the start of the path Cricklade : catch bus #53 (hourly) from the town centre, or bus #51 (hourly) along the A419 to Swindon Drivers : catch the bus to Swindon, which is on the same line as Kemble Crickalde to LechladeLechlade : catch bus #64 or #74 to Swindon Drivers : not good - catch bus to Swindon, then another bus from Swindon to Cricklade. A Wilshire Day Bus Pass might help. Lechlade to NewbridgeNewbridge Option 1 : Continue to Northmoor (1km further along the river, then 1km north), and catch bus #18 to Oxford. Expensive as bus rides at the start and finish, and the stations are on different lines Newbridge Option 2 : X15 to Abingdon then #35 to Radley station - still 2 bus rides, and different lines Drivers: not good, several changes Newbridge to OxfordOxford : has a station Drivers : #18 bus from Northmoor to Oxford Oxford to CulhamCulham : is 2km (along a road) from Culham station Drivers : Oxford and Culham are on the same line Culham to ChosleyChosley : is 1.5km walk from the station Drivers : train back to Culham, may have to change at Didcot Chosley to TilehurstTilehurst : has a station on the same line as Chosley Tilehurst to ShiplakeShiplake : has a station on the Henley branch line, but Tilehurst tickets are usually accepted Drivers : will need to change Shiplake to MarlowMarlow has a station on a branch line Drivers: bus #800 (otherwise 3 trains, 2 of which are hourly) Marlow to WindsorWindsor : has a station on a branch line - Marlow tickets should be accepted Drivers : change at Slough and Maidenhead Windsor to SheppertonShepperton : has trains to Waterloo, but South West Trains will want 2 tickets - Addlestone is a valid route to Windsor however Drivers : are better off doing Stains to Richmond - both on the same line Shepperton to TeddingtonTeddington and Shepperton are on the same line to Waterloo Drivers need to check CPZ restrictions Teddington to PutneyTeddington and Putney are on the same line to Waterloo - the tube is also an option Putney to Tower BridgeA London Travelcard might be best Drivers need to check CPZ restrictions Tower Bridge to Greenwich and CharltonA London Travelcard might be best. Trains from Greenwich and Charlton go to London Bridge Drivers need to check CPZ restrictions |
Thames Path |
This walk is part of the Thames Path [wikipedia] [National Trails] - a 184 mile national long distance path - that follows the Thames from its source in Kemble to the Thames Barrier at Charlton in SE London. There is an unofficial 10 mile south bank extension on to Crayford Ness. It follows the river's historic towpath where possible. In a few places, nearby paths are used instead as towpath sections do not match up where former "horse ferry" crossing have been lost. Through London, and on to the sea, there are north and south bank paths. |
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By Car |
Start Kemble, Gloucestershire Map Directions Finish Thames Barrier, Charlton, London Map Directions |
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Help |
National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234 |
Version |
Jan-19 |
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