SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY
Follow the Thames from its beginnings in the Cotswolds through quiet meadows and historic riverside towns. Walk to Oxford or continue towards Windsor and Hampton Court, watching the river change along the way, with your accommodation arranged and your main bag moved between overnight stops.
There is something satisfying about following the same river day after day, noticing how it changes. Near Kemble, a stone marks the source of the Thames. In dry weather, you may walk some way through the meadows before you see running water. By Lechlade, boats are passing through the locks.
Much of the pleasure lies between the familiar names. A heron standing in the shallows, a shaded stretch of towpath or an inn with tables by the water gives you a reason to pause. Oxford, Henley and Windsor bring a different rhythm, with streets worth exploring once you’ve finished walking for the day.
From Kemble, follow field paths through quiet meadows towards Cricklade and Lechlade, watching the Thames grow from its modest beginnings. Working locks and small riverside settlements punctuate the walk to Oxford, where the shorter holidays finish.
Continue downstream through Abingdon and the wooded Goring Gap, with some short climbs among the mostly level stretches. Around Henley and Marlow, rowing crews share the water with pleasure boats, and riverside inns offer places to pause.
Windsor Castle rises above the river before the path reaches Runnymede’s open meadows. The final stretch towards Hampton Court keeps close to the water, with green spaces along the approach to the palace.
Our longer Thames Path holidays start in Kemble and finish at Hampton Court. If you have less time, the Kemble to Oxford section follows the quieter upper river, with a choice of daily stages.
The walking is mostly level, but distance makes a difference. On the faster-paced itineraries, you walk from Lechlade to Newbridge in a single day. If that sounds further than you’d enjoy, choose the option with a stop at Tadpole Bridge. Grassy stretches can become muddy after rain, so allow a little more time on those days.
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Tell us where you’d like to finish, when you’d like to travel and how far you feel comfortable walking each day. Include your room preferences and anywhere you’d like to stay a little longer. We’ll check the arrangements and send you a free, no-obligation personalised estimate before you decide whether to book.
4.9/5 based on 24 reviews
"Loved being outdoors & in nature to keep fit. Enjoyed the walk seeing The Thames change."
"Kate went above + beyond. Useful + knowledgeable service."
"It's a great way to see the country and to meet people. I was able to relax while I got good exercise."
"Celtic Trails provided an excellent service in all categories for a very enjoyable walking holiday. We hadn't been long distance hiking in the UK since 2018. We forgot how much we missed the UK and all it has to offer in adventure travel, especially the long distance hiking. We don't have this opportunity at home. After this hike, we are energized and looking forward to many more hikes."
"Amazing experience with great scenery, especially with the autumn colours. Very quiet at first, getting busier as we progressed along the river."
"Always pleasant to deal with, cooperative, responsive. I feel like an important person, not just another customer."
"The organisation was excellent, and the team was prompt and responsive whenever there was an issue."
"Excellent organisation, Walk pack accurate, excellent communication & excellent support in case of emergencies"
"Highly reliable with excellent accommodation selection"
If you like the idea of staying in a pub after a day on the towpath, the Thames Path has a good choice of pubs with rooms and local inns. We also use hotels and a small number of B&Bs. Whether you finish in Oxford or continue to Hampton Court, we arrange your overnight stays with breakfast each morning. Tell us if you’d prefer a twin, double or single room. We’ll check what’s available for your dates and take your preferences into account when preparing your estimate.
Cardinal Wolsey began the Tudor palace that Henry VIII later made his own. William and Mary commissioned Christopher Wren to build the Baroque palace alongside it. Allow time for the courtyards and gardens after your final walk, particularly if you’d like to visit the hedge maze.
Oxford is the finish of the shorter walk and a natural pause on the way to Hampton Court. An extra night gives you time to wander the college streets or visit a museum. When you return to the path, the city soon gives way to quieter riverbanks around Iffley Lock on the way to Abingdon.
Tell us where you’d like to finish, when you’d like to travel and how far you feel comfortable walking each day. Include your room preferences and anywhere you’d like to stay a little longer. We’ll check the arrangements and send you a free, no-obligation personalised estimate before you decide whether to book.
Tell us where you’d like to finish, when you’d like to travel and how far you feel comfortable walking each day. Include your room preferences and anywhere you’d like to stay a little longer. We’ll check the arrangements and send you a free, no-obligation personalised estimate before you decide whether to book.
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