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)
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
Stage Length (miles)(km) Ascent (feet)(metres)
1 : Kemble 12.319.8 00
2 : Cricklade 11.117.8 00
3 : Lechlade 16.526.6 00
4 : Newbridge 13.922.4 00
5 : Oxford 12.019.2 00
6 : Culham 13.822.3 00
7 : Cholsey 11.919.2 30075
8 : Tilehurst 10.016.0 00
9 : Shiplake 10.817.4 00
10 : Marlow 14.323.0 00
11 : Windsor 13.722.0 00
12 : Shepperton 10.917.6 00
13 S : Teddington (South Bank) 11.318.3 00
13 N : Teddington (North Bank) 14.323.0 00
14 S : Putney (South Bank) 9.315.0 00
14 N : Putney (North Bank) 9.214.8 00
15 S : Tower Bridge to Thames Barrier (South Bank) 10.216.3 00
15 N : Tower Bridge to Greenwich (North Bank) 5.2 8.4 00
Travel

Kemble to Cricklade

Kemble : 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 Lechlade

Lechlade : 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 Newbridge

Newbridge 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 Oxford

Oxford : has a station

Drivers : #18 bus from Northmoor to Oxford

Oxford to Culham

Culham : is 2km (along a road) from Culham station

Drivers : Oxford and Culham are on the same line

Culham to Chosley

Chosley : is 1.5km walk from the station

Drivers : train back to Culham, may have to change at Didcot

Chosley to Tilehurst

Tilehurst : has a station on the same line as Chosley

Tilehurst to Shiplake

Shiplake : has a station on the Henley branch line, but Tilehurst tickets are usually accepted

Drivers : will need to change

Shiplake to Marlow

Marlow has a station on a branch line

Drivers: bus #800 (otherwise 3 trains, 2 of which are hourly)

Marlow to Windsor

Windsor : has a station on a branch line - Marlow tickets should be accepted

Drivers : change at Slough and Maidenhead

Windsor to Shepperton

Shepperton : 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 Teddington

Teddington and Shepperton are on the same line to Waterloo

Drivers need to check CPZ restrictions

Teddington to Putney

Teddington and Putney are on the same line to Waterloo - the tube is also an option

Putney to Tower Bridge

A London Travelcard might be best

Drivers need to check CPZ restrictions

Tower Bridge to Greenwich and Charlton

A 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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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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