Thames Path
The Thames Path is a 184 mile long-distance footpath which follows the river from its source in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier in Charlton, South-East London.
From Teddington Lock in Middlesex to Greenwich there is the option of walking either the north or south bank of the river.
As might be expected, it is an undemanding route in terms of hills (none, really), and there is a wealth of accommodation, pubs and restaurants.
Accommodation
We have only listed accommodation and other services from the source to Teddington Lock (151¾ miles). After Teddington Lock there is an overwhelming selection of services and options. We will add accommodation and other services from Teddington Lock to Charlton by recommendation.
We have split accommodation into Hotels & Inns and Bed & Breakfast. While we realise many guest houses are as good, if not better than, some hotel accommodation, in order to avoid confusion we have opted for the simpler option.
Restaurants and Pubs
We have attempted to give as much information as possible, especially regarding whether pubs serve real ale and/or food. But restaurants and pubs are notoriously changeable. Please let us know if our information is out of date.
Guidebooks & Maps
Guidebook
We recommend buying two different guidebooks. One will supplement the other in terms of clarity, additional information, etc. The cost of the additional guidebook is very little compared to the cost of the walk.
Thames Path by David Sharp
Official National Trail Guide. Includes relevant sections of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps. Excellent value.
The Thames Path: From the Sea to the Source
By Leigh Hatts.
Describes the route from the Thames Barrier to the source of the Thames. Includes relevant sections of OS maps at the inadequate 1:50,000 scale, although there is much historical detail.
Walks along the Thames Path by Ron Emmons
25 circular walks of between 3 and 9 miles. Although it does not pretend to be a guide for the whole route, we have included it for those wishing to walk various parts of the route in sections.
The Walker's Guide: The Thames Hampton to Richmond Bridge
By David McDowall
8 circular walks of between 2½ and 4 miles. The route descriptions are very detailed, and there is much historical detail. Although it does not pretend to be a guide for the whole route, we have included it for those wishing to walk various parts of the route in sections. It also includes many old photographs.
Maps
Do not feel tempted to save money buying the 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps; they do not have anywhere near the same detail as the 1:25,000 scale maps, and do not show field boundaries.
The following Ordnance Survey `Explorer’ maps at 1:25,000 scale are required:
160 Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
161 London South
162 Greenwich & Gravesend
168 Stroud, Tetbury & Malmesbury
169 Cirencester & Swindon
170 Abingdon, Wantage & Vale of White Horse
171 Chiltern Hills West
172 Chiltern Hills East
173 London North
180 Oxford
By clicking on the guidebook or map images you can view the available guidebooks and maps, find more information, and order them through us online.
NATIONAL TRAIL INFORMATION
Click on the link below for valuable information and footpath news:
www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ThamesPath
WEATHER FORECAST
We have added a local three-day weather forecast at the bottom of each location page for those who like to walk in the rain.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Although we have included rail station information and some bus services, the following website will prove useful:
www.carlberry.co.uk/rfnshowr.asp?RN=GLATHA
For National Rail information click here:
www.nationalrail.co.uk
For Traveline public transport information:
Tel: 0870 608 2 608
Website: www.traveline.org.uk
Thames Path
Mileage and Services Table
Please click on a location to open the page displaying Accommodation, Camping, Pub and Restaurant information for that location.
NOTE: Figures after the `+' sign indicates miles off route. Legend is at the bottom of the page.
| LOCATION | CUMULATIVE MILES |
FACILITIES |
|---|---|---|
| Thames Source | - | Water! |
| Tetbury Road (A429) | ½ | Inn (R) |
| Kemble | 2 | B&B,PH,Train,Bus |
| Ewen | 3¼ | Inn,GH |
| Somerford Keynes/ Pool Keynes |
5 | B&B,PH |
| Ashton Keynes | 7 | B&B,PH,R |
| Cricklade | 12¼ | H,B&B,PH,R |
| Castle Eaton | 16½ | Inn,B&B |
| Kempsford | 16½ + 1½ | B&B,PH |
| Upper Inglesham | 21 | B&B |
| Lechlade | 22½ | H,B&B,C,PH,R |
| St John's Bridge | 23¼ | PH |
| Kelmscott | 27 + ¼ | PH |
| Radcot | 29½ | H (R),C |
| Tadpole Bridge | 34 | Inn,C |
| Newbridge | 39½ | Inn,PH |
| Standlake | 39½ + 1 | B&B,C,PH |
| Bablock Hythe | 43½ | Inn,C |
| Stanton Harcourt | 43½ + 1 | C,PH |
| Eynsham | 45½ + 1 | H,Inn,C,R,PH |
| Wolvercote | 50½ | R,PH |
| Binsey | 52½ | PH |
| Oxford | 53½ | All |
| Oxford Grandpont | 55 | H,C |
| Kennington | 57½ | B&B,PH |
| Radley | 60¼ + ¾ | B&B,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Abingdon | 63¼ | H,B&B,R,PH |
| Culham | 65½ | Inn,PH |
| Clifton Hampden | 68½ | Inn,C,PH |
| Little Wittenham | 71½ | C |
| Dorchester on Thames | 71½ + 1 | H,PH |
| Shillingford | 73 | H,GH |
| Benson | 75 | B&B,C,R,PH |
| Wallingford | 76¾ | H,B&B,R,PH |
| Crowmarsh Gifford | 76¾ | C,PH,Bus |
| Cholsey | 80 + ¾ | B&B,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Moulsford | 81¾ | Inn |
| Streatley | 83¾ | H,B&B,YHA,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Goring | 84 | H,B&B,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Whitchurch on Thames | 88 | PH |
| Pangbourne | 88¼ | All (excl. camping) |
| Purley on Thames | 89¼ | B&B |
| Tilehurst | 91¾ | H,B&B,Rail,Bus |
| Reading | 95¼ | All |
| Sonning | 98¼ | H,R |
| Shiplake | 102 | PH |
| Lower Shiplake | 103½ | H,B&B,Rail |
| Henley on Thames | 104¼ | H,B&B,C,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Aston | 107¼ | Inn |
| Hurley | 110¾ + ½ | H,B&B,C,R,PH |
| Marlow | 113 | H,B&B,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Bourne End | 116½ + ¼ | H,B&B,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Cookham | 117½ | B&B,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Maidenhead | 120½ | H,B&B,R,PH,CS,Rail,Bus |
| Eton | 126¾ | H,R,PH |
| Windsor | 127¼ | H,B&B,R,PH,CS,Rail,Bus |
| Datchet | 129¾ | H,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Old Windsor | 132 | H,R,PH |
| Egham | 134¼ + 1¼ | H,B&B,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Staines | 135½ | H,B&B,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Laleham | 137¾ | C,PH |
| Chertsey | 139 + ¼ | All |
| Shepperton | 141 | H,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Walton on Thames | 142½ | H,B&B,R,PH,CS,Rail,Bus |
| Hampton Court | 147 | H,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Hampton Wick | 149¾ | H,B&B,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Kingston Upon Thames | 150 | H,B&B,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Teddington | 151¾ | H,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
NOTE: Figures after the `+' sign indicates miles off route.
Legend
| B&B | Bed & Breakfast Accommodation |
| C | Camping |
| CS | Camping Shop |
| H | Hotel or Inn Accommodation |
| PH | Pub or Bar |
| R | Restaurant, Bar Meal or Tea Shop |
| YHA | Youth Hostel |
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