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Home , Ashton Keynes, Castle Eaton, Clifton Hampden Bridge, Clifton Lock, Ham Lands, Hurley Lock

The

The Thames Path National follows the greatest in for 184 miles (294 Km) from its trickling source at a in the rural to its vast presence at the , just a few miles before it meets the sea.

This route boasts tranquil water meadows, fabulous wildlife and wildflowers, quaint villages, historic market towns, gothic towers, cities and many locks.

This river, once vital to trade, helped grow England’s capital to the size it is. As railways and roads took over, this great trading route started to fall into decline. Discussions started back in the 1930s about how they could put the old Thames tow path to use but it was not until after further discussions, and with the help of many groups of people (including Association and the Society), that 16 miles of new tow path was built and the Thames Path became a fully opened National Trail in 1996.

Why do this walk? Route What’s it like underfoot? You may Kemble to • An easy-to-follow gentle walk be walking on an obvious trail, path During summer the start of the route • Historic villages and towns or pavement and occasionally on a often follows a dry river bed but it • Rural landscapes path across a field just visible in the isn’t long until the river in its infancy • No hills! grass. The terrain when dry is often appears. This section is particularly • Beautiful river views compact and easy going however beautiful during spring when the when wet after prolonger rain can fields are full of wild flowers. The be muddy in sections. Essential Info Thames passes beautiful Cotswold

Length 4 – 6 nights villages renowned for their golden How much up and down? If you coloured stone which has been Full Route Length 158 miles/ 254 km start at the source the route spends quarried from the areas Jurassic the majority of the walk losing . limestone bedrock. Just after passing Grade height. After you pass through through the hamlet of Ewen you are there is a short climb up surrounded by the Cotswold Water Moderate the hills and steep descent to Park on your route to Cricklade. Over negotiate at Coombe Park before the last 50 years this area set over 40 you reach . Of the National we cover, this is one square miles has transformed from of the easiest. It is a gentle trail which is gravel pits to 150 lakes. Providing Signposting: Good signposting, signs water sports and recreational suitable for people with a wide range of are marked with a white acorn to activities along with many wildlife abilities. The route journeys across indicate the National Trail. obvious broad promenades to grassy nature reserves. Keep your eyes out for all sorts of movement from water paths. Navigation: Pretty straightforward, voles, shrews, and otters to dragon keep your map and guidebook to Terrain: Mostly flat with well-defined flies, chiffchaff’s and water rail. hand. paths

Cricklade to greeted here by the statue ‘Old almost until reaching the city’s edge. Follow the small reed filled river to Father Thames’ which was crafted by As you wind your way along the path where a lychgate leads Raffaelle Monti in 1851 and has been today you pass through Bablock to a 12th Century church with relocated twice before being re- Hythe, maybe the best known of the Norman and early English gothic style homed in Lechlade in 1974. Continue Thames crossings. A chain hauled along with a very distinctive corbelled on past decaying pillboxes (concrete operated here for over 1000 bellcote which was added by William years but now lies in disrepair after dug-in guard post) once used as a Butterfield in 1861-63. Continue defence line in 1940 and now home in 2007. A campaign is along the river to Upper , to bats. The path through currently up and running to see it where we advise to skip this short the flat plain of the Thames returned to its former glory. Pass busy road section, and continue valley passing another 5 locks, Swinford , built in 1770 for the enjoying the river slowly growing in Earl of Abingdon and one of two Chimney Meadow nature reserve and size from Inglesham. You might be wonderfully named bridges, such as remaining privately-owned toll interested to visit the simple but , Newbridge (actually bridges on the Thames, before magnificent church at Inglesham 13th century), the Tenfoot bridge passing the edge of Great which has managed to avoid the (which is wider than 10 feet), along Wood, a 600 acre wood and wildlife Gothic restoration treatment of the haven. Finally finishing through with the oldest bridge which is Victorian age before trying to spot located in Radcot and made up of Meadow with stunning skyline views some of the first boats on the Thames three gothic arches made of Taynton of and its spires, you’ll as you approach the 18th century stone. You may be interested to stop understand why bridge into Lechlade called the and see , the home of coined Oxford as the ‘city of dreaming Ha’penny bridge due to the toll once (check the opening spires’. This area is largely unchanged charged. times). since gifted the land in return for helping to Lechlade to Newbridge Newbridge to Oxford defend his kingdom from the Danes. Leaving Lechlade you pass St John’s The river continues to grow on your the furthest upstream lock on the journey towards Oxford, it is now Oxford to Abingdon

Thames and the highest point on the already a respectable size with many The path skirts the edge of the city, Thames that trading are able boats negotiating its locks. Although the route is surprisingly green and to reach. This is just the first of 46 today you will be heading towards a after passing lock and the locks along the Thames path. You’ll be city, this part of the path is very rural, charming Norman Iffley church it

continues through its rural setting. Abingdon was built in the boathouse at and the

Walking through open meadows you seventh century and gave the town its impressive Benson weir, before pass through Sandford-on-Thames, present name. reaching Wallingford. mentioned in the Doomsday book of 1086 for its milling. is Abingdon to Wallingford Wallingford to Pangbourne also known for having the largest fall This section starts and ends in A contrasting and attractive section of 2.69 metres and a weir pool named historical towns. Wallingford is home starts in the historic town of the Sandford Lasher renowned for its to the remains of a medieval castle. It Wallingford and passes though Goring strong undercurrents and taking was demolished in 1652 on the orders Gap, a dramatic valley carved through many lives over the years. An Obelisk of Oliver Cromwell. It is described by chalk hills by the river during the ice marks the spot as a reminder. Nicholas Brooks as once being “one of age. Its original route saw the Thames

Continue on past the most powerful royal castles of the meeting the near which after Lord Harcourt had it built 12th & 13th century”. Built on the but after its paths were blocked by for him in 1756, also had the original orders of William the Conqueror. Pass sheet ice it carved its way through the village of Nuneham knocked down the ancient hamlet of which is chalk site and took the new route we and the road from Oxford to virtually surrounded by open fields know today. Today’s section also has re-routed in order to have the and after reaching enjoy one of the few short climbs up the grounds landscaped. Much of this the picture-perfect scene of the red chalk hills and a steep ascent to landscaping didn’t survive the second bricked Bridge and negotiate at Coombe Park before you world war. Before reaching Abingdon, the church spire ascending out from reach Pangbourne. you pass an entrance to the Swift behind. Continue on following the

Ditch of the back water, originally the sweeping arch of the Thames to Little Pangbourne to Henley faster route on the Thames, and Wittenham the home for the World Skirting the edge of Reading is quieter thought to be dug by monks of Pooh sticks competition and than you might think and is broken by Abingdon abbey. Abingdon claims to also known as the Kings Meadow park and the place be the oldest continuously occupied Sinodun Hills which offer magnificent where the Kennet enters the settlement in the country with views if you have the energy to climb Thames (a project which linked Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, and either of them. A short diversion to Reading with Bath and in remains found. Along with Dorchester will allow you to see the 1810). On leaving Reading enjoy the evidence of an and Middle impressive ancient Abbey in Iron age oppidum (fortified town). Dorchester built around 1140 before 11 different sized archways of

passing a delightful thatched bridge which links the

a mini-castle with turrets and counties Oxon and . Pass a impressive buildings such as Frogmill beautiful boathouse at and Barn and Danesfield castellated battlements, End; an area probably some boaters out training mansion to Hurley. Enjoy popular for dinghy sailing to for an annual Regatta held here, with its many channels. An area used . As you walk through second in size only to Henley. frequently by kay popular for dinghy Cookham look out for a large sarsen block called the Tarry stone and is Continue on enjoying the beautiful sailing to Cookham. As you walk properties on the Thames edge and through akers for its four main weir said to be an original meeting place the striking Park Place, an imposing gates and the size and shape of waves for the local ‘Olympics’, the centre of country house and some of its created. Carry on to cross the wooden the home territory of the terrifying prominent features such as the Temple footbridge, put in place to ghost Herne the Hunter, said to hold special powers which allegedly cursed Conway bridge made of massive replace the ferry that closed in 1953, irregular blocks. This estate at one and through open meadowland to a local family after they moved the point being sold for £140 million and Marlow. Cross the splendid stone. Pass a slight diversion as the makes it Britain’s most expensive suspension bridge and enjoy the river splits into 4 channels and further house. You enter Henley to rows of juxtaposition of the bridge against All along the beach tree covered hill of the Estate on the opposite moored boats and an array of boating Saints pinnacles (a medieval church) activities taking place. Henley is which has been well photographed side of the river and the hustle and world-famous for its remarkably over the years. Marlow is also the bustle of Boulter’s Lock and straight regatta course, with the first home to St Peter’s Church which is . Before reaching Oxford vs race rowed in said to home the mummified hand of Windsor the path passes lake 1829. which is part of and the the Apostle St James who was present at the last supper. home to , flat water and slalom Henley to Marlow and in the 2012 As you leave Henley don’t miss out on Marlow to Windsor Olympics before continuing on to see taking in the much-photographed A beautiful stretch of the river today towering over the town. bridge and tower of St Mary’s and with open land, wooded slopes on the following the regatta mile route down opposite banks and grand homes. On to its start, marked by a delightfully leaving Marlow you pass a small Windsor to quaint temple on . section with no tow path, where This section is varied and passes Follow the river on a shape bend, past towing horses use to have to be led through , an area with a a series of weirs at Mill along a very difficult route along wealth of historic and symbolic and across open fields, and past seven corner alleys. Continue on past significance which highlights the

Additional Days importance played by the Thames. the last open meadowlands before Although the river is now getting you get to Meads. We can arrange extra nights at any of closer to London you still get to enjoy the overnight stops, allowing for rest a considerable amount of green space Chertsey to Richmond upon Thames days, or giving you more time to before you hit Shepperton. As you The last country walking section of explore the locality. We recommend leave Windsor enjoy the distant back the non-tidal part of the Thames path Oxford and Richmond upon Thames: drop of Windsor Castle as you cross is rife with . It is the last parklands past to non-tidal stretch of the Path as Oxford Runnymede. Somewhere, here in beyond Lock the River The ancient university town is well Runnymede meadow is where King Thames is tidal. The last day to worth an extra day. There are many John in 1215 set his seal on the Richmond has two options, the north different walking tours which can be Magna Carter which still forms an or the . Most people booked in advance. You can also visit important symbol of liberty today. In choose the south bank as the north the Ashmolean Museum and the remembrance a memorial was built in bank is longer by three miles and not Museum of Natural History as well as 1957 at the foot of Cooper’s Hill. as pleasant and green as the south many others. Why not hire a and There are also two additional bank. The walk along the south bank see the river Thames from a whole memorials here; The Air Force heads for and new perspective! Memorial unveiled in 1953 by the continues on to Nature Queen for the 20,456 airmen who lost Reserve and Petersham Meadows. Richmond upon Thames their lives in World War II and have You will see an enormous building on Visit the spectacular Gardens - no known grave. The other for John F top of Richmond Hill called the Star while away a day in these famous Kennedy was unveiled in 1965. On the and Garter Homes, this was botanic gardens. Visit the largest opposite bank is the Ankerwycke constructed during the first world war Victorian glasshouse in the world and ancient yew close to the ruins of St to house injured soldiers. It is worth a wander around the extensive grounds

Mary’s priory is said to have both walk up to Richmond Hill for its fine with its multitude of exotic trees and witnessed the signing of the Magna views over the river Thames as plants. The largest Royal park in Carta and been where Henry VIII & immortalised by JMW Turner. The London, , is also close met in the 1530’s. The route then follows the edge of the by with free roaming deer and path passes Penton Hook island, a Kew Royal Botanical Gardens to Kew extensive woodlands. For the hustle wildlife haven and perhaps the most Bridge and finally past and and bustle of the city you are only a impressive loop on the Thames which Barnes to finish in Richmond upon short tube ride away from central can be explored by crossing the lock Thames. London with its many museums, gates and main weir. Enjoy some of galleries and attractions.

Getting There and Away By Road: From the north take the M5 flexible and can therefore be tailored to exit 11A then A417 to Kemble. to suit your requirements. If you’re

General travel information for the From London M4 to exit 15, then looking for something different, or Thames Path walk will be in your A419. extra, from the holidays described holiday pack. here, give us a ring and we’ll do our Detailed instructions on getting to Leaving from Richmond: best to please. your first night’s accommodation by By Public Transport: To return to You can start on any day you like and car, or on foot from the nearest train Kemble: make your way to Richmond we can arrange extra nights at any of or bus station, will also be included in station, train to Kemble, change at the overnight stops allowing for rest the holiday pack on individual Reading (2.15 hours). days, or giving you more time to accommodation maps. For all other destinations, go to If you require secure car parking Richmond station for onward travel. explore the locality. You can book whilst walking this route, please part of a walk if you don’t have the contact us for information time to complete the entire distance. How our holidays work

Getting There: We specialise in self-guided walks By Air: The nearest airports are because we think it’s the best way to How to Book

Heathrow and Bristol. From really experience local landscapes, Once you have decided which holiday Heathrow: either bus to Reading, cultures and history. You walk under you wish to book, please fill in the then train to Kemble (change at your own steam, at your own pace, form at the back of this brochure ) or Heathrow Express to safe in the knowledge that we have which can then be emailed, posted or Paddington, then train to Kemble (2 organised everything, and help is only faxed to us. We will get in touch with

hours). a phone call away. We book all your you once we have received your From Bristol airport: Bus to Bristol accommodation, move your luggage booking to confirm your holiday Temple Meads, train to Kemble between overnight stops, provide you details. (change at Swindon) travel time 2 with maps and guidebooks and all the hours. details you need for a successful Alternatively, you can either book

By Public Transport: holiday. You just turn up and walk! online using our website at By train: There is a train station at www.mickledore.co.uk or telephone Kemble. There are direct trains from Inbuilt Flexibility us during office hours. London Paddington to Kemble (1.20 Our holidays are designed to be hr).

We always try to arrange en suite shops, inns, cafés and taxis. Accommodation accommodation, i.e. rooms with their Maps 1 waterproof 1:40000 Harvey Good accommodation and friendly own bathrooms, for each night of your map covering the whole route. hosts are an essential part of any stay. However, in some of the more Personal Itinerary A personal itinerary holiday. We understand this and go remote locations accommodation is setting out each overnight stop, out of our way to find the best. We limited and occasionally we may have including large scale maps of each put a great deal of effort into hand to book rooms with shared bathrooms accommodation, to ensure you find it picking our accommodation and for one or two nights of your holiday, easily. matching it to individual customer (especially if the booking is made at Emergency Telephone Support If you requirements. As well as visiting the short notice), but we will always let get in to difficulties during your accommodation ourselves, we ask all you know if this is likely to be the case. holiday, we are always available to our customers to complete a short Single Rooms help, even out of office hours. evaluation on each night’s We are happy to book single rooms on 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoors accommodation, which then gives us this walk at a supplement, but can’t We will issue you with a 15% Discount an insight in to the day-to-day normally book more than two single operation, and lets us spot any Card valid at all Cotswold Outdoor rooms for any 1 group. potential issues before they become a stores, and online, for the whole year problem. on confirmation of your booking. We use a variety of accommodation, What We Provide Options including small country house hotels, guest houses in market towns, bed All Holidays Luggage Transport We will transfer and breakfasts in farm houses, Accommodation Overnight Bed and your luggage between each overnight country cottages and Victorian town Breakfast accommodation in selected stop – leave your luggage at the houses. In selecting the hotels, farmhouses, village inns, guest accommodation when you set off in the morning, it will be moved on to accommodation we look for helpful, houses and family B&Bs. friendly hosts with good quality, Full English or Continental breakfast. your next B&B. You only need to carry characterful accommodation close to Guidebook A guidebook with route a small day sack with the clothes and the trail. For example, over the course information, maps, photos and provisions you require during the day’s of your trip you might stay in a village background information. walk. We ask you to limit your luggage inn, a bed and breakfast in a Information of services along the to one bag per person, up to 18kg . Off Road Parking If you are travelling converted barn, a Victorian guest route A comprehensive service Info by car we can usually arrange off road house, on a working farm, and in a sheet, including services such as cash parking for the duration of your trip. Georgian hotel. points, banks, post offices, village (There may be a small charge for this).

Arrangement of return transport We District. We are one of the leading - 100% financial protection – in the very can also arrange your transfer back to specialists in self guided walking and unlikely event of Mickledore’s financial your car, (or advise you when public cycling holidays in the UK, and failure, you receive a full refund. transport is a better option!) provide a friendly, professional and Financial Protection flexible service. Your payments are fully protected

What’s not included We are walkers and cyclists ourselves, against our financial failure. We are so it really matters to us that you members of the Association of

Evening Meals Your evening meal have a good holiday. We are still a Independent Tour Operators (AITO), and isn’t included in the package, but we small business, with a lot of local the Association of British Travel Agents include full details and knowledge, and personal enthusiasm (ABTA). We have arranged bonding recommendations for each evening for the outdoors. If you’ve got any through ABTA. This means that in the meal in your itinerary. You will queries, we’re always happy to help, unlikely event of our financial failure, any monies you have paid to us will be normally be within walking distance so don’t hesitate to pick up the phone refunded. This bonding is fully compliant of a and/ or restaurant, or where or drop us an email, or call in and see us if you’re in Keswick. with the Package Travel Regulations and there is good food available at the We specialise in UK holidays, and by provides 100% financial protection. accommodation, we’ll book that for concentrating on what we consider AITO Quality Statement you. Allow about £20.00 per night. the best routes, we get to know the Mickledore Travel is a member of the Transport to the start & away from trails, accommodation, and local area Association of Independent Tour the finish Taxi or bus transport if you intimately. Operators. The Association represents need to miss a stage (but we’ll help Britain’s leading independent tour you organise it if you need help) - All your accommodation has been carefully operators. It promotes high levels of selected and is regularly monitored. Travel Insurance Even if you are professionalism and a shared concern for - We listen to you and tailor each holiday to quality and personal service. The based in the UK travel insurance is meet your requirements. worth having. - We have an excellent level of customer Association encourages the highest service. standards in all aspects of tour Prices - We have 15 years’ experience, and very operating.

Detailed prices for all our holidays are high levels of customer satisfaction. Mickledore Travel abides by AITO’s Code - Peace of mind – help is only ever a of Conduct and adheres to the Quality available on the website. telephone call away. www.mickledore.co.uk. Charter which can be viewed at - We’re all outdoor enthusiasts – we know www.aito.com. Visit the website to find what makes a good holiday, and we want out more about the Association or call About Mickledore you to have one! 020 8744 9280. Mickledore Travel is based in Keswick - 15% discount card for all your outdoor equipment purchases from Cotswold at the heart of the English Lake Outdoors.

Our Itineraries

The Thames Path – Kemble to Richmond upon Thames – 158 miles/ 254 km

Please bear in mind that the distances each day are trail distances only. They do not take into account walking to your accommodation. On some days the accommodation might be on or close to the trail but on other days you may need to walk one or two miles to get to your overnight stop.

Kemble to Richmond upon Thames in Kemble to Richmond upon Thames Kemble to Richmond upon Thames 10 days Walking Code: TP11 in 12 days Walking Code: TP13 in 17 days Walking Code: TP18

Mile km Mile km Mile km Day 1 Travel to Kemble for your first nights Travel to Kemble for your first nights Travel to Kemble for your first nights accommodation accommodation accommodation Day 2 Kemble to Cricklade 12 19 Kemble to Cricklade 12 19 Kemble to - 7 11 transfer to your accommodation Day 3 Cricklade to Lechlade 11 18 Cricklade to Lechlade 11 18 Ashton Keynes to Cricklade 5 8

Day 4 Lechlade to Newbridge 17 27 Lechlade to Newbridge 17 27 Cricklade to Lechlade 11 18

Day 5 Newbridge to Oxford 14 23 Newbridge to Oxford 14 23 Lechlade to Tadpole Bridge 10 16

Day 6 Oxford to Dorchester-on- 18 29 Oxford to Abingdon 10 16 Tadpole Bridge to Northmoor 10 16 Thames Day 7 Dorchester- on-Thames to 16 26 Abingdon to Wallingford 13 21 Northmoor to Oxford 12 19 Pangbourne Day 8 Pangbourne to Henley-on- 16 26 Wallingford to Pangbourne 11 18 Oxford to Abingdon 10 16 Thames Day 9 Henley-on-Thames to 17 27 Pangbourne to Sonning 10 16 Abingdon to Shillingford 10 16 Maidenhead Day 10 Maidenhead to Chertsey 19 31 Sonning to Marlow 14 23 Shillingford to Goring 10 16

Day 11 Chertsey to Richmond 18 30 Marlow to Eton/ Windsor 14 23 Goring to Reading 11 18

Day 12 Depart from Richmond after breakfast Eton/ Windsor to 14 23 Reading to Henley-on-Thames 9 14

Day 13 Weybridge to Richmond 15 24 Henley-on-Thames to Marlow 9 14

Day 14 Depart from Richmond after breakfast Marlow to Maidenhead 8 13

Day 15 Maidenhead to Eton/ Windsor 7 11

Day 16 Eton/Windsor to Staines-upon- 9 14 Thames Day 17 Staines-upon-Thames to East 12 19 Day 18 East Molesey to Richmond 8 13

Day 19 Depart from Richmond after breakfast

Our Itineraries

The Thames Path West – Kemble to Oxford – 55 miles/ 89 km Kemble to Oxford in 4 days Walking Code: TPW5 Kemble to Oxford in 6 days Walking Code: TPW6

Mile km Mile km Day 1 Travel to Kemble for your first nights accommodation Travel to Kemble for your first nights accommodation

Day 2 Kemble to Cricklade 12 19 Kemble to Cricklade 12 19

Day 3 Cricklade to Lechlade 11 18 Cricklade to Lechlade 11 18

Day 4 Lechlade to Newbridge 17 27 Lechlade to Tadpole Bridge 10 16

Day 5 Newbridge to Oxford 14 23 Tadpole Bridge to Northmoor 10 16

Day 6 Depart from Oxford after breakfast Northmoor to Oxford 12 19

Day 7 Depart from Oxford after breakfast

The Central Thames Path – Oxford to Marlow – 59 miles/ 95 km Oxford to Marlow in 4 days Walking Code: TPC5 Kemble to Oxford in 6 days Walking Code: TPC7

Mile km Mile km Day 1 Travel to Oxford for your first nights accommodation Travel to Oxford for your first nights accommodation

Day 2 Oxford to Dorchester-on-Thames 18 29 Oxford to Abingdon 10 16

Day 3 Dorchester-on-Thames to Pangbourne 16 26 Abingdon to Shillingford 10 16

Day 4 Pangbourne to Sonning 10 16 Shillingford to Goring 10 16

Day 5 Sonning to Marlow 14 23 Goring to Reading 11 18

Day 6 Depart from Marlow after breakfast Reading to Henley-on-Thames 9 14

Day 7 Henley-on-Thames to Marlow 9 14

Day 8 Depart from Marlow after breakfast

Our Itineraries

The Thames Path East – Marlow to Richmond upon Thames – 44 miles/ 71 km

Marlow to Richmond upon Thames in 3 days Walking Marlow to Richmond upon Thames in 5 days Walking Code: TPE4 Code: TPE6

Mile km Mile km Day 1 Travel to Marlow for your first nights accommodation Travel to Marlow for your first nights accommodation

Day 2 Marlow to Eton/ Windsor 14 23 Marlow to Maidenhead 8 13

Day 3 Eton/ Windsor to Weybridge 14 23 Maidenhead to Eton/ Windsor 7 11

Day 4 Weybridge to Richmond upon Thames 15 24 Eton/ Windsor to Staines-upon-Thames 9 14

Day 5 Depart from Richmond upon Thames after breakfast Staines-upon-Thames to East Molesey 12 19

Day 6 East Molesey to Richmond upon Thames 8 13

Day 7 Depart from Richmond upon Thames after breakfast