Hike the length of Britain’s most iconic river — Thames Path

The start of the 184 mile (296 km) Thames Path begins at the source of the river, known as Thames Head, in a Cotswold meadow near the village of Kemble.



As the spring is dry for most of the year, you'll most likely not see any evidence of the river. Fear not, though, you soon become fully acquainted… read more

This stage gently meanders through a picturesque patchwork of fields and traditional villages.



From Cricklade, follow the river to the pretty Castle Eaton, at which point the trail diverts from the water’s edge until Upper Inglesham.



You return to the riverside at this point after negotiations with… read more

Stunning views, open skies, and wonderfully remote landscapes combine to make this a fantastic stage.



At 16 miles (26 km), this is the longest stage on the entire trail officially—not including detours on later routes along the path—and follows the widening river through the Thames Valley floodplain… read more

Serene, beautiful, and sparsely populated landscapes characterise this stage, right up until you reach the historic city of Oxford.



The Thames has grown considerably by the time it reaches Newbridge and you'll notice that many different boats are using the waterway.



At Bablock Hythe, the path veers away… read more

First-time and regular visitors alike soon become spellbound by the reverent history, beautiful architecture, and quintessential Englishness of Oxford.



Owing to the draw of Oxford, this stage is intentionally short to allow you plenty of time to explore the historic university city.



I've included some… read more

This scenic stage is alive with a history dating back to the Bronze Age.



From Abingdon, you follow the river south past the village of Culham before making a near 90 degree to turn east at Culham Cut.



After crossing the river at Days Lock, it's worth crossing back via the bridge a few meters downstream… read more

This varied stage takes you through serene countryside, small towns and villages, and ends near a major city.



From Wallingford, follow the path south through splendid open countryside and pass through Cholsey Marsh Nature Reserve.



You cross the river at Goring on Thames and follow the river bank until… read more

Upon leaving Reading, this stage quickly resumes its rural charm; exploring a landscape of wooded hills and open countryside with manor houses nestled in the creases.



Whilst you might be expecting city crowds at Reading, the path takes the less populated north side of the river, giving a surprising sense… read more

This short stage allows plenty of time to explore the historic towns of Henley and Marlow—and give your legs a rest if you've been walking for eight days already.



From Henley, you follow a section of river which is used for the Henley Royal Regatta, hailed as the the most famous regatta in the world.



Temple… read more

This stage takes you along one of the most beautiful sections of the Thames Path.



From Marlow, the trail meanders through serene countryside all the way to Maidenhead. At this point, it may feel a little busier as more people flock to admire this enviably affluent and picturesque part of the country.



Along… read more

The River Thames has reached a respectable size by Windsor, but it has a lot of growing to do before it reaches London.



As you get closer to the capital, you'll notice that the path feels busier and there are, inevitably, more built-up areas. However, there's still plenty of picturesque walking on offer… read more

This stage takes you along the last non-tidal section of the River Thames, exploring an ever-changing landscape of green space and urbanity.



From Shepperton, the trail winds past Walton-on-Thames and past a series of enormous reservoirs; all providing vital water supplies for the capital city.



As you… read more

The Thames Path follows both the north and south banks of the river during this stage, so the choice is yours.



The south bank route is 11.6 miles (18.6 km) in total and the north bank route is 14.1 miles (22.6 km).



There are eight bridges crossing the river along this stage though, so if there's anything… read more

This stage passes some of the most iconic London landmarks, many of which are recognisable throughout the entire world.



If you're interested in taking a self-led London walking tour, then this is the stage to do it. On this route, I've suggested a short detour at Westminster Bridge so you can explore… read more

This stage brings the Thames Path National Trail to its epic conclusion.



The Path has followed the river for 184 miles (296 km) from its source as a tiny spring in the Cotswold Hills, all the way to the enormous river flowing through the heart of London.



On this stage, you can follow either side of the… read more