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Self-Guided Walking Holidays in the UK |
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Detailed Itinerary for Walking
Holiday in England on
The Thames Path
London to Thameshead (upstream)
via Greenwich, Westminster, Kew, Richmond, Windsor, Marlow,
Henley on Thames, Goring, Oxford and Cricklade
The Thames Path is 180 miles long and one of UK's National Walking Trails. The walking holiday begins at the Thames Barrier, and follows the whole meandering course of the River Thames to its source in the Cotswolds at Thames Head. The hiking route is a great first walking holiday experience as it is easy walking and offers a wealth of interesting places to visit en-route. The Thames Path walking trail is clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your walking holiday in Southern England.
13 days walking
14 nights
Total Distance:
180 miles
Min/max daily distance:
11/17 miles
Average Daily distance:
14 miles
Grading:
easy
Features:
Thames Barrier
Tower of London
St Paul's Cathedral
Houses of Parliament
London Eye
London Wetlands Centre
Kew Gardens
Hampton Court
Windsor Castle
This walking holiday is great hiking for visitors to the UK as it offers a taste of England's history mixed with the modern UK of today. This is a gentle walk, full of contrasts, with bustling cities and quiet river banks.
This is a popular walking tour, so we have carefully selected comfortable accommodation to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing.
London's great river is full of surprises as its path flows gently from its source and the stunning Cotswolds. On the Thames Path tour you walk through some of Southern England's most historic landscapes, full of wildlife and heritage. The highlights of Windsor and Oxford are en-route so why not take rest days to explore the many galleries and museums, and take advantage of the fine selection of shops, restaurants and pubs.
To start your walking holiday on The Thames Path walking trail you make your own way to London or Greenwich. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your self-guided walking holiday.
If you have stayed in London, you take a short ride on London's Underground Train Service from central London to the Thames Barrier and museum, the official starting point of The Thames Path walking trail. Today's walking route follows the South Bank of the Thames most of the way, and provides great views over the river to The Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral and the City, giving insight into London and the River Thames' industrial past and rebirth as a modern exciting capital city. The walking trail takes you to some of London's hidden places as well as one of London's most famous landmarks, the London Eye and The Houses of Parliament. The Thames Path connects with The Shakespeares Way at London.
Walking on from the Tate Gallery on the South Bank of the Thames you pass the famous Old Battersea Power Station and soon arrive in a more residential area with fine Victorian riverside houses and house boats. Walking along the river bank you reach Barnes and the London Wetlands Centre, a wildlife haven in the middle of London. On the last part of today's walk you pass Kew Gardens, one of the World's most famous gardens and well worth a visit. Today's walk ends at Richmond, full of old riverside pubs, great places to eat, and also the famous Deer Park.
Leaving Richmond on the walking trail you soon pass the 17th century Ham House with its sumptuous interiors and restored formal garden. The Thames Path soon passes Eel Pie Island, named after the food served on the island from 16th century. Today the island is famous for its community of artists. Beyond Teddington Lock the River Thames is no longer tidal. After walking through Kingston you soon reach Hampton Court, a fine Tudor palace with superb gardens.
Walking on from Shepperton, you pass the bridge at Chertsey which was built in 1785 and is mentioned in Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. Continuing on the hiking route you pass a couple of locks and soon reach the busy modern town of Staines. Then you walk past the historic Runnymede, location of the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 before reaching Windsor.
Windsor is a highlight of this section of the Thames Path. A visit to the castle is a must! Why not take "The Long Walk" in Windsor Great Park!
A short walk from Windsor is Eton, home of one of the world's most famous schools. The fine riverside house at Oakley Court has been the location for many a film. Before reaching Marlow you walk past Cliveden, the former home of the Astor family. Marlow is a riverside gem, has a fine bridge, pleasant park and is a great place to explore. The Thames Path intersects with Shakespeare's Way in Marlow.
Walking on from Marlow you soon reach Bisham Abbey, headquarters of the English Football team. Medmenham Abbey, a former Cistercian abbey dates back to the 13th century. This is now a rural setting and Temple Island provides a fine vista. Henley-on-Thames, famous for its rowing club and fine shops and pubs, is a good place to relax. On the walk today you pass Thames-Side Court which has a narrow gauge railway running alongside the river. The Thames Path connects with the Kennet & Avon Canal at Reading.
The Thames Path provides a pleasant route through Reading. Walking on through the towns of Caversham and Purley, the town of Pangbourne is reached by walking through relaxing water meadows. At Whitchurch, the walking route takes a short diversion up the only steep climb of the whole Thames Path. The Thames Path connects with The Ridgeway at Goring.
Today you walk to Wallingford which has a 17th century town hall and fine old English inns. The famous Thames side town of Dorchester-on-Thames dates back to Roman times. The thatched village of Clifton Hampden is picture postcard pretty and boasts The Barley Mow Inn mentioned in Jerome's Three Men in a Boat. Sutton Courtenay dates back to Norman times and has a fine Manor House and the grave of George Orwell in its churchyard.
On the walk today is Abingdon, one of Britain's oldest towns dating back to 695. It is famous as the former home of MG cars and has many fine buildings and well worth spending some time to explore. The walk to Oxford is pleasant, passing weirs and water meadows. The Thames Path intersects with Shakespeare's Way and the Oxford Canal in Oxford.
Oxford is a must for any visitor to the UK, with so much history and culture.
After leaving Oxford the walking trail has a quieter, remoter feel to it. Port Meadow, a large grassland full of cattle and wildlife, claims to have been ploughed since the 11th century. The Trout Inn at Godstow, which means Gods Place, has been used in the Inspector Morse ITV series and even President Clinton has visited.
Day 12:
Newbridge to Lechlade. 16 miles 26km
Newbridge boasts the second oldest bridge on the Thames dating back to
the 13th century. This section of the walking trail is very quiet and
a haven for wildlife. As late as the 1980s, parts of the path were so
overgrown they were impassable. This section has many locks and little
footbridges. Chimney-on-Thames has one of the largest areas of unimproved
meadows in England and is rich in wildlife.
Lechlade is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and marks the highest place on the River Thames navigable by boat. This town was once a very busy river port. The bridge at Lechlade still has its old toll house although now a toll free bridge. The large airfield at Fairford has been used by the USAF and was a testing site for Concord.
The final day's hiking on The Thames Path follows the River Thames to its source. Hiking out of Lechlade the walking trail passes some fine Cotswold villages. At the village of Ashton Keynes the once mighty Thames appears little more than a large stream in the High Street. At Kemble there is an outstanding Brunel railway station. The source is marked with a stone placed there in the 1970s although the spot usually appears dry as the water course is below of surface.
London to Reading, and Reading to Source.
This walking holiday on the Thames Path in the UK can also be walked downstream.
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This walking holiday in the UK operates March to October and in either direction. The above distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too. Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages. Rest days can be taken in any location. Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of England or the UK. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers. Online booking available. A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure. |
This walking holiday on the Thames Path connects with
The Oxford Canal at Oxford
The Shakespeares Way at Oxford, Marlow and London
The Ridgeway at Goring
and the Kennet & Avon Canal at Reading
Day 15: Depart
after breakfast
or extend your stay and spend some time exploring the Cotswolds.
We can transfer you to your car or station.
What's included
in your UK walking holiday
on The Thames Path
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities (please note that hotel rooms in the London area tend to be smaller than at other locations)
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed maps and itineraries
- Cicerone's Guide to Thames Path
Optional Extras
for your UK Walking Holiday
on The Thames Path
- upgrade to the region's most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
| Lunches
and Dinners These are not included. Evening meals: These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village. Packed lunches: These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route. |
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Telephone Lines are open 7 days a week. UK +44 (0)1837 880075 or +44 (0)207 193 1252 9am to 9pm US +1 (646) 233-1541 New York 5 hours behind UK time: 4am to 4pm EST AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182 Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time: 7pm to 7am EADT CAN +1 (647) 4786251 Toronto 5 hours behind UK time: 4am to 4pm EST |
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By Car to London where parking is available
By Train / Bus to London or Kemble
| Holiday
Travel Insurance We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let's Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following: cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays. This is in addition to our existing booking conditions. |
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