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The Thames Path is a 185-mile (298km) National Trail following the Thames river in southern England. The trail starts from the river’s source in the Cotswolds. It goes through water meadows, rural pastures, historic towns and cities, through London and to Woolwich.

Cycling is possible on many sections of the Thames Path, including on bridleways, National Cycle Network routes and other shared–use paths.

About the trail

The trail goes between:

• Kemble (Thames Head), the source of the River Thames
• Woolwich, London

You can choose to walk the entire trail, a specific section or two, or find local circular walks that follow some of the trail.

You can find someÌý.

When to visit

The trail is open all year.

Parts of the trailÌýbetweenÌýThames HeadÌýand OxfordÌýcanÌýfloodÌýin winter.ÌýYou shouldÌýcheck for flooding,ÌýÌýand follow any diversionsÌýor closures to the trail.

Signposts on the trailÌý

All National Trails are marked with an acorn symbol or the trail name. You’ll see these along the trail, forÌýexampleÌýon gates and signposts.

Walking the whole trailÌýÌý

• Length:Ìý185.2Ìýmiles (298km)Ìý
• Time toÌýcomplete:ÌýaroundÌý14 daysÌý– if you walk 15 miles a day and takeÌýa couple of rest daysÌýÌý

You can walk the trail in either direction. Signposts show the route in both directions so you can choose.  Ìý

The prevailing wind is from the southwest, soÌýif youÌýstartÌýat the source of the River Thames in theÌýCotswoldsÌýand walk towards London you’ll usually haveÌýtheÌýwindÌýbehind you. TheÌýofficialÌýguidebookÌýalso begins at the sourceÌýof the Thames.

Accessibility on the trailÌý

The Thames Path is a gentle trail that is mostly flat, with a few natural slopes.ÌýÌý

Most of theÌýstilesÌýalong the trail have been replaced with gates. However, there are still structures which may be barriers for people with limited mobility.Ìý

You can find more information aboutÌý,Ìýwhich areÌýwalksÌýon sections that:Ìý

• are paved or surfacedÌýÌý
• have no steps or stilesÌýÌý
• only have gentle slopesÌý

Each walk comes with aÌýmap and details about distance,ÌýtheÌýtype of surface and where to find accessible local refreshments and toilets.

Trail suitability and terrainÌýÌý

Flooding can affect the entire length of the trail, including tidal flooding through London. You shouldÌý and follow any diversions or closures to the trail.Ìý

Low-lying roads and land close to the river can be flooded. The trail can be muddy or wet.

Do not walk through flood water. You may not be able to see where theÌýriver banksÌýare.ÌýÌýÌý

What you canÌýexperience on the trailÌýÌý

There are many things you can experience on theÌýThames Path, including:  Ìý

• wildlife – such as birds,ÌýwildflowersÌýandÌýdragonflies in the Cotswold - Lakes to open water meadows, and near chalk downland Ìý
• historic and heritage sites – such as  Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower ofÌýLondonÌýand the Thames Barrier
• nature reserves – such as North Meadow, Chimney MeadowsÌýPort Meadows and Ham Lands Ìý
• local culture, food and entertainmentÌý

On the trail you can also visit cities,ÌýtownsÌýand small villages, including:ÌýÌýÌý

• OxfordÌý
• ReadingÌýÌý
• RichmondÌý
• LondonÌý
• Abingdon-on-ThamesÌý

You can buy aÌýÌýand get it stamped by over 30 stamping ‘stations’ along the trail.ÌýIf you collect one stamp on each page of the passport, you’llÌýbe sent a completion certificate.

Sections of the trailÌýÌýÌý

You can break the trail into sections that you can walk in a day, or that give you time to visit specific things on or near the trail.  ÌýÌý

There’s an example below, but you can find more information online and in guidebooks to help plan your route.

The Source at Kimble to CrickladeÌý– 12.3 milesÌý(19.7km)Ìý

The trail begins at the source of the river Thames in a Cotswold meadow. However, for much of the year the riverbed here is dry.

The trail passes through small Cotswold villages and the Cotswold Lakes. Near Cricklade, the trail passes by North Meadow National Nature reserve, known for its snake’s-head fritillaries. Cricklade is a small historic town and marks the end of upstream navigation.

Cricklade to LechladeÌý–Ìý11 milesÌý(17.5km)Ìý

This section mostly follows the narrow river, apart from a short section by Upper Inglesham. You can take a small detour to the town of Lechlade by leaving the Thames Path at Ha’penny Bridge, an old stone toll bridge. You should follow the signage on this section as older maps may not be correct.

Lechlade to Newbridge –Ìý16.4 milesÌý(26.2km)Ìý

This is the longest and one of the quietest sections of the trail. It goes next to the river and crosses flat flood plains and farmland, where there may be grazing livestock.

The trail passes St John’s Lock, and continues through Chimney Meadows National Nature Reserve. There are few villages close to the trail, but there are some places for food and drink at road crossings and at Newbridge.

Newbridge to OxfordÌý–Ìý14 milesÌý(22.4km)Ìý

The river is wider here and used by many boats, however the landscape is rural until you reach Oxford. The trail leaves the river for a short distance at Bablock Hythe. At Swinford Bridge there’s a historic toll bridge, but it’s free for walkers. The trail then passes through Port Meadow before reaching the centre of Oxford near the train station.

Oxford to Abingdon-on-ThamesÌý–Ìý9.9 milesÌý(15.8km)Ìý

This is a short and mostly green stretch. The trail passes Iffley Lock, then Sandford Lock, which has the greatest change of water level on the Thames. At Abingdon Lock it goes across the river and enters Abingdon-on-Thames, a historic town with a medieval bridge and ancient abbey site.

Abingdon-on-Thames to WallingfordÌý–Ìý13.5 milesÌý(21.6km)Ìý

The trail follows bends of the river passing villages of different sizes, including Culham, passing close to the Wittenham Clumps and then to Benson and Wallingford.

Wallingford to TilehurstÌý–Ìý14.8 milesÌý(23.7km)Ìý

There are many villages with places for food and drink on this section of the trail. It passes through farmland before entering the Goring Gap, a narrow valley between the hills of the Berkshire Downs and the Chilterns.

South of Wallingford, The Ridgeway National Trail follows the opposite bank of the Thames until Goring-on-Thames. This section ends on the edge of Reading.

Tilehurst to Henley-on-ThamesÌý–Ìý12.3 milesÌý(19.7km)Ìý

The trail passes through the quiet northern part of Reading, then passes wooded hills next to the wide Thames. Cyclists can use the route from Reading to Sonning, but from Sonning the trail narrows and is for walkers only.

The trail crosses the River Kennet on Horseshoe Bridge and continues on to Henley-on-Thames.

There’s a long-term diversion in place between Henley and Shiplake. Follow signposts to walk the diversion (which is around 2.7 miles) on pavements on the A4155. Or you can use public transport.

Henley-on-Thames to MarlowÌý–Ìý8.7 milesÌý(13.9km)Ìý

This short section follows a straight length of river to Tempe Island. The trail passes Hambleden Lock, with a series of weirs, and Hambleden Mill. Near Marlow, the trail goes through Higginson Park before crossing the bridge into the town of Marlow.

here’sÌýa long-term diversion between Henley and Marlow.

Marlow to WindsorÌý–Ìý14.3 milesÌý(22.3km)Ìý

This scenic valley section includes wooded slopes at Winter Hill. After Maidenhead, the trail goes through Cock Marsh, Cookham Commons and passes the Cliveden Estate before reaching Windsor and its castle.

Windsor to SheppertonÌý–Ìý13.7 milesÌý(21.9km)Ìý

There are more towns beside the river but also lots of green spaces, including Windsor Castle Home Park. At Victoria Bridge the trail crosses to the opposite bank for security reasons. It goes past Old Windsor and reaches Runnymede. After the town of Staines is Penton Hook, a large river loop where you can cross the lock to explore a Penton Hook Island.

Shepperton to TeddingtonÌý–Ìý10.9 milesÌý(17.4km)Ìý

ThisÌýsection isÌývariedÌýandÌýpassesÌýseveral largeÌýreservoirs, Hurst Park, Hampton Court PalaceÌýand HomeÌýPark,ÌýthenÌýthroughÌýKingston.ÌýÌý

At Shepperton LockÌýthere’s a choice of 2 routes, depending on whether the ferry isÌýoperating.ÌýIf it is, youÌýcanÌýuse the ferry andÌýcrossÌýtoÌýfollowÌýtheÌýtowpath on theÌýsouthern bank.ÌýIfÌýnotÌýyou canÌýstay on the north side,ÌýmostlyÌýfollowingÌýthe road,ÌýandÌýuse Walton BridgeÌýto rejoin theÌýtrailÌýof the southern side.ÌýÌý

ThisÌýsection ends at Teddington Lock, where theÌýriverÌýThames becomes tidal.Ìý

Teddington to PutneyÌý

There’sÌýa choice of 2Ìýroutes on this section:ÌýÌý

• south bank: 11.6 milesÌý(18.6km)Ìý
• north bank: 14.1 miles (22.6km)Ìý

From Teddington Lock you can walk onÌýthe north or south bank. There areÌý8ÌýbridgesÌýso you canÌýchange sidesÌýalong the trail.ÌýThere are also many circularÌýwalks and linear walks using public transport along this section of the trail.ÌýÌýÌý

The southernÌýbankÌýfeels rural.ÌýThe trail goes past Ham Lands local nature reserve,ÌýPetershamÌýMeadows, Richmond andÌýThe Royal Botanic Gardens atÌýKew.ÌýÌý

The northÌýbankÌýhas lots of green spaces,ÌýincludingÌýMarble Hill Park, Syon Park and Dukes Meadow.ÌýIt alsoÌýfollows a short section of the Grand Union Canal and goes past Strand-on-the-Green.ÌýÌý

Putney to Tower BridgeÌý

There’sÌýa choice of 2 routes on this section of the trail:ÌýÌý

• south bankÌý-Ìý10.5 miles (16.8km)Ìý
• north bankÌý-Ìý10.3 miles (16.5km)Ìý

You canÌýwalk on the north or south bankÌýof the riverÌýin this sectionÌýthroughÌýcentral London,ÌýpastÌýmany bridges and landmarks.Ìý

On the south bankÌýthe trail starts in Wandsworth. It goesÌýpast Battersea Park,ÌýbehindÌýthe old power station, the South BankÌýarea, and the London EyeÌýwith views of the Houses ofÌýParliament.ÌýYou can alsoÌýseeÌýtheÌýTateÌýModern,ÌýShakespeare’s Globe TheatreÌýandÌýTower Bridge.Ìý

On the north bank, the trail takes a short detour away from the river and through Hurlingham Park. ItÌýthenÌýpassesÌýChelsea,ÌýTate Britain, through WestminsterÌýand the HousesÌýof Parliament. It goes through the city before reaching the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.Ìý

Tower Bridge to Thames Barrier and Woolwich Foot TunnelÌý

There’sÌýa choice of 2 routes on this section of the trail:ÌýÌý

• north bank to Island Gardens, Isle of DogsÌý-Ìý5.5 miles (8.8km)Ìý
• south bank to WoolwichÌý-Ìý11.2 miles (18km)Ìý

There are wide riverside paths on both sides.ÌýÌý

The route on the north bank begins at St Katharine Docks and continues through Wapping, Shadwell, Limehouse and modern riverside areas. This option ends at Island Gardens on the Isle of Dogs, close to the Greenwich foot tunnel.

The route on the south bank continues beyond Greenwich past the Thames Barrier, O2 Arena and on to the Woolwich foot tunnel.

At Woolwich, the Thames Path connects to the King Charles III England Coast Path. Once all sections of the coast path are open, the 2 trails together will form a continuous ‘source to sea’ walking route. It will go along the entire length of the River Thames from the Cotswolds to the North Sea – around 232 miles (374km).

Maps for the trailÌý

You can find:   Ìý

• ²¹â€¯â€¯- you can also download GPX dat²¹â€¯â€¯Ìý
• other maps and guidebooks online and in print Ìý
• circular and linear walks online and from the local council

The Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps that cover theÌýThames PathÌýare:   Ìý

• 160 Windsor,ÌýWeybridgeÌýandÌýBracknellÌý
• 161 London SouthÌý
• 162 GreenwichÌýandÌýGravesendÌý
• 168 Stroud, TetburyÌýandÌýMalmesburyÌý
• 169 CirencesterÌýandÌýSwindonÌý
• 170 Abingdon, WantageÌýandÌýVale of White HorseÌý
• 171 Chiltern Hills WestÌý
• 172 Chiltern Hills EastÌý
• 173 London NorthÌý
• 180 Oxford

Diversions or closures on the trailÌýÌý

If there are any diversions or closures of sections of the trail, these will be clearly signposted. You should always follow the signposts on the trail.

The Thames Path often uses QR codes that will link to a map online showing you the diversion.

Prepare for your visitÌý

Read guidance onÌýhow to prepare for your visitÌýfor information on:Ìý

• checking the route – including for diversions or closuresÌý
• planning your tripÌý
• what to prepare before you set offÌý
• what to do on the trail

ContactÌý

Use the relevantÌýÌýto:ÌýÌý

• report a problem
• ask a question about accessibility on the trail
• find out about volunteering opportunities

ContactÌýthe local councilÌýto report a problem on a public right of way, for example obstructions, poorÌýmaintenanceÌýor a misleading sign.