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Thames Path

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Thames Path
The OXO Tower in central London; the south bank branch of the Thames Path passes to the river side of the building

The Thames Path is a National Trail, opened in 1996, following the length of the River Thames from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier at Charlton. It is about 184 miles long.

The entire length of the path can be walked, and some parts cycled, using the towpath. It should be noted that some parts, particularly those west of Oxford, are subject to flooding during the winter months. The river is tidal downstream from Teddington Lock, and parts of the path may be underwater if there is a particularly high tide.

The route can be divided into sections as follows:

  • Thames Head (source of the river west of Cricklade) to Oxford (53.5 miles – 85.6 km): a generally rural, agricultural area, where the river is sometimes difficult to follow, particularly until Lechlade (23 miles – 36.8 km) is reached.
  • Oxford to Henley-on-Thames (50.75 miles – 81.2 km): passing through Abingdon, Dorchester, Wallingford, Streatley and Reading: the walk leaves the river bank through the towns, and crosses from one bank to another at various places.
  • Henley to Windsor: (22.5 miles – 36 km): through Maidenhead. The path leaves the river on some occasions.
  • Windsor to Richmond (28 miles – 45 km): along the edge of a portion of Windsor Great Park; past Runnymede; through Hampton Court Park, passing Kew Gardens and the Wetlands Centre at Barnes. The path leaves the river to make way for residential areas at times.
  • Richmond to the Thames Barrier (28 miles – 45 km): through London, using parkland (e.g., Battersea Park) to continue beside the river. Through most of the section, the Thames Path is actually two paths, one on either side of the river.
  • Thames Barrier to Crayford Ness, just beyond Erith (about 16 km), connecting with the London Outer Orbital Path. This is considered an extension of the Thames Path (as recognised by the Ramblers Association) and was opened in 2001, but is not part of the National Trail. It has its own Thames Barge symbol, and is sometimes referred to as the Thames Path Southeast Extension.

The path is one of those included in the Mayor of London's Strategic walking routes.

Thames Crossings

The list below shows the points going downstream where the path crosses the river between Cricklade and Teddington. Above Cricklade the Thames is a stream and in some places there may be no water except after rain. Below Teddington there are paths on both sides of the river. The letter in brackets indicates whether the path downstream of that point is on the northern or southern bank (using north or south in reference to the river as a whole, rather than at that specific point). Bridges and ferries are listed in full under Crossings of the River Thames. Islands are listed under Islands in the River Thames.

The reverse direction of the path going upstream on the non-tidal part is obtainable by following the locks up from Teddington Lock. Between Teddington Lock and Lechlade the locks divide the river into reaches and a description of the reach above each lock includes the route of the Thames Path going upstream. Locks are listed under Locks on the River Thames.

Further reading

  • The Thames Path, Leigh Hatts. Cicerone 2006 ISBN 978 1 85284 436 3


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