Walking and Cycling the Thames
 |  |  |
The Thames Path For Walkers
The Thames Path is a well - signposted long distance footpath for walkers, which follows the River Thames for most of its length, as it meanders from its source in Gloucestershire through several rural counties and on to the contrasting setting of the City of London. It is NOT suitable for cyclists and is NOT a cycle route. Part of The Thames Path was the former towpath for the river, and recently long sections have been officially designated as The Thames Path National Trail. Most of the Thames Path start points are accessible by public transport. You can get to several of the best sections of the River Thames by train, at such towns as Kemble, Oxford, Goring, Reading, Henley, Windsor and Kingston to name but a few. Why not study the maps and start planning your next adventure – be it a short afternoon’s stroll, or a more ambitious adventure? You can break up your walk by enjoying the delights of the many pubs and hotels which lie along the whole length of the River Thames. A splendid riverside trail pioneered by David Sharp and the Rambler's Association. The path leads from the origin of the Thames in the foothills of the Cotswolds to the capital, passing through a wealth of fascinating riverside scenery and towns such as Oxford, Henley, and Windsor. For much of its 160 mile length, the Thames Path closely follows the .. well, yes, the Thames River. The river itself has been called "liquid history", but quite apart from its historical associations - which are many - the Thames valley provides generally easy walking through water meadows and lovely riverside villages. Due to the challenges of obtaining rights of way, the path is forced to cross the river numerous times. The first half of the path, as far as Oxford, wanders through quiet, open countryside, and you may find there are more cows keeping you company than there are fellow walkers. After Oxford, the villages get more numerous, and larger, until you reach the sprawl of Greater London. The path spilts in two at London, with a branch on each bank of the river, and both branches carry on through the city as far as the Thames Barrier near Greenwich. For further details and maps see http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thamespath/ Ordnance Survey Maps in the Explorer range cover the whole length of the Thames Path. You will need OS Numbers 168, 169, 170, 180, 159, 171, 172, 160 and 161.
Written, researched and revised by Jeannette Briggs
|
