Walking the Thames Path

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 Trip Length
8 Days
 Trip Starts
Oxford
 Trip Finishes
Windsor
8 Day Walking the Thames Path Itinerary (Exodus)
Countries Explored: England
Trip Style
Walking & Trekking
Budget
Affordable
Pace
Easy / Leisurely
Trip Code
W07TO

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Exodus 8 Day Walking the Thames Path. Walk between Oxford and Windsor along the Thames Path. The walking is exhilarating as it follows a mature river, with colourful river boats, great loops, and numerous locks and weirs. Walk through a mixture of landscapes of quiet countryside, beech woodlands, small hamlets full of historic interest. The Thames has been a constant source of inspiration for artists and authors due to its many outstanding features.

Some of the natural, architectural and engineering highlights include the famous Christchurch...read more Meadows, Goring Gap between the Chiltern Hills and Berkshire Downs, the Sandford Lasher (weir at Sandford lock), Hambledon Weir, Henley Bridge and the beautiful suspension bridge at Marlow, and of course ending at the impressive Royal Palace, Windsor Castle.

Spot water voles, herons and kingfisher as well as numerous ducks, coots, geese and swans. Enjoy wild flower meadows and woody copses.

Accommodation is in a range of friendly B&Bs, inns and hotels, some of which are of historical interest from a 16th Century coaching inn to a house originally the residence for Queen Victoria's minor government officials.

Itinerary

Arrive in the city of dreaming spires and discover its wealth of historical highlights. Stay: Stay overnight at The Oxford Coach and Horses or similar.

Follow the trail through the Iffley Meadows Nature Reserve to the lock at Sandford, which has the greatest fall of water on the Thames with its weir, known as the Sandford Lasher. Continue to reach Abingdon, one of the most important historic towns on the Thames Path with Iron Age origins. Stay: Stay overnight at The Coseners House or similar (B).

Walk through the pretty village of Culham and with a short detour, Dorchester, with its thatched cottages, before reaching Wallingford, home to the remains of a medieval castle. There are two impressive abbeys to enjoy on this stretch: the remains of Abingdon Abbey at the start of the day and the great abbey church in Dorchester built around 1140. Stay: Stay overnight at the Town Arms or similar (B).

Walk through hamlets, water meadows and woodlands between the Chiltern Hills to the east and the Berkshire Downs to the west before crossing the toll bridge leading to Pangbourne. It is thought that the water voles here inspired author Kenneth Grahame's character Ratty in his book The Wind in the Willows. Stay: Stay overnight at The Elephant or similar.

Follow the trail towards Sonning, described by Jerome K Jerome in Three Men in a Boat as 'the most fairy-like little nook on the whole river'; before reaching Henley-on-Thames, known for its annual rowing regatta. The award-winning River and Rowing Museum is on the banks of the river as you enter the town. Stay: Stay overnight at The Row Barge or similar (B).

Leave Henley and follow the length of the regatta course to Temple Island, the starting point of the race. Continue along the river to Hambleden Lock with its picturesque view of the lock, a series of weirs across which you can walk and Hambleden Mill. Walk through open meadowland to Marlow with its fine suspension bridge. Stay: Stay overnight at The Prince of Wales or similar.

Walk through one of the most beautiful stretches of the Thames Valley with the wooded slopes of Winter Hill rising on the opposite bank as you leave Marlow. Follow peaceful river paths passing some places of historic significance, Bourne End, where Enid Blyton lived and Cookham, home to the artist Stanley Spencer who lived here for 49 years and where the chapel is now a memorial gallery to his work. The grand finale of the walk is spotting Windsor Castle towering above the water. Stay: Stay overnight at Alma House or similar (B).

Depart Windsor after breakfast (B).

Trip Inclusions

  • Walk the Thames Path from Oxford, city of dreaming spires to Windsor, with it's royal palace
  • Literary connections: Sonning, described in Three Men in a Boat as 'the most fairy-like little nook on the whole river'; Marlow, where Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein; Bourne End, home of Enid Blyton
  • Engineering gems: Hambleden Weir, Marlow suspension bridge; Henley bridge
  • Walk through the Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

  • 7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in 3, 4 and 5 star hotels
  • 5 Breakfasts
  • Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
  • Guide book
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Route directions and maps

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
About Exodus Travels
About Exodus Travels

Hit the trails with Exodus - from challenging peaks to leisurely coastal and countryside walks. Read more

Exodus Trip Leaders
Exodus Trip Leaders

Exodus chooses their Leaders carefully. Professional, dedicated and are passionate about sharing their home countries. Read more

Accommodation with Personality
Accommodation with Personality

Wherever possible, Exodus chooses properties that are locally owned and that reflect the area you are visiting. Read more

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Exodus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Exodus. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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