The Thames Path is a wonderfully varied walking holiday in England, following the banks of one of the world’s most famous rivers, from it’s source to the sea.
Highlights
Immerse yourself in the royal history of the castles and palaces along the Thames
Visit Runnymede, the historic location of the signing of the Magna Carta
Traditional riverside towns and villages, with boats and barges passing downstream
Explore the extensive grounds and world-renowned hedge mazes at Hampton Court
Stay at the beautiful and historic university town of Oxford
Windsor Castle, Europe's oldest royal residence
Follow the Thames as it widens from stream to river
The river begins its journey as a trickling spring in a peaceful Cotswold meadow in Gloucestershire and through riverside meadows and ancient woodlands it begins to take form, leading us through charming towns such as Henley, Wallingford and Marlow.
Walking the path each day you pass ancient bridges, locks, riverside pubs, oarsmen pulling upstream, ‘Royal’ swans, solitary herons, kingfisher, wild flowers, water creatures and bucolic Wind-in-the Willows scenery. Ever widening, the now ‘Mighty Thames’ eventually flows majestically through the heart of one of the world’s greatest cities.
Its journey to the sea passes an endless variety of sites and locations of fascinating historical interest; Oxford, Royal Windsor, Runnymede, Hampton Court, Kew Gardens where it takes you past the Tower of London onto the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge.
Walking Holidays on the Thames Path
The Thames Path is easy walking holiday suitable for all abilities. Our itineraries follow the Thames’s peaceful progress through country side as far as Hampton Court.
The final section is a 37 mile itinerary tailored to individual requirements, following the Thames' journey through Britain’s capital, the docklands and the Thames Barrier out to sea. The terrain along the Thames Path isn't uniform, but the majority of it is flat and even - so the journey should be suitable for most capabilities.
Path Walkthrough
Our Thames Path walking holidays take you from the Thames' source at Kemble to Hampton Court
From the source of the river in Kemble to Cricklade, Lechdale and Newbridge into Oxford - it's a peaceful, rural walk with barely any ascents or descents across farmland, riverside and meadow. It starts to feel busier entering and leaving Oxford, becoming quieter on your route out to Abington. The scenery of The Thames Path begins to feel markedly different as you approach Dorchester, with more picturesque towns and the river gradually filling with barges, boats and other leisure craft. There is one steep climb on approaching Wallingford (which is optional), where you have a fantastic vantage point out over the area.
The path into Reading is quieter than expected as the route keeps to the North (the least urbanised) section of the town, whereupon the river meets Henley. Your journey crosses the wooded slopes of The Thames Valley as you pass into Windsor, with grand estates dotted along the riverside. As you near London the path becomes busier, however, there is still a lot of green space on the final section as you take an old towpath, past an old racecourse into Hampton Court.
Walk Gallery
Thames Path Walking Holiday Itineraries
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing, single person supplements apply.
Itinerary Information: Thirteen nights accommodation with twelve walking days. Arrive in Kemble on day one, walk from day two and leave Hampton Court on the morning of day fourteen
Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Jan to Dec. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.
Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.
Itinerary Information: Five nights accommodation with four walking days. Arrive on day one in Kemble, start walking from day two and leave Oxford on morning of day six
Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Jan to Dec. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.
Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.
Mild weather in this region means that the path can be explored at almost any point in the calendar. There are areas prone to flooding around Oxford during Winter, but these can be avoided by taking a detour. However, we would suggest that the journey is best taken from May - October.
Walkers interested in birdlife, flora and nature should visit at the tail-end of Spring to catch wildlife along the river at its most active.
Client reviews of our Thames Path Walking Holidays
Our past clients rated this walk 4.8 out of 5, read a selection of 2 reviews below.
"I really enjoyed the variety of scenery and sense of history along the way."
4.8 out of 5
Horsfield October 2015
"A fantastic holiday!"
4.8 out of 5
Welch July 2015
Leave your own review of your Thames Path Walking Holiday with us here
