Have you walked the Thames Path?
 

I'm thinking about walking the Thames Path and am interested in hearing from people who have done this.
What are the best bits? Parts to be avoided? Did you feel safe?
I'll be traveling alone and am thinking of doing 8-10 miles per day for a few day as part of my holiday.
Tell me about your adventure!

do you feel safe? Well at the moment there is a little flooding, but what else would you be worried about, wolves?

Depending on your age or health you might want back-up and of course, public transport is helpful. This works well https://www.traveline.info/

I've walked the Thames Path from the Source to Kew Bridge, about 162 miles over several trips & am currently deciding when to return for the final push through London to the Barrier. I began in my 60s & except for about 3 days have been on my own, never a safety issue but lots of friendly people & kindness along the way.

My suggestion would be to begin in Oxford or beyond (going down river toward London) as resources for walkers (B&Bs, transport, places to eat, etc.) improve significantly at that point. There are a loads of websites which I recommend you study to determine which section would be most enjoyable for you. Also printed maps & guides, some comprehensive, some not. What used to be the "official" guidebook seems now to have been divided up, not sure why as the one I have, all in 1 small book, is good. In any case, start here:
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thames-path

I haven't written about the whole path but here are links to my description of a few miles, from Hampton Court to Kew:
https://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/portmoresby-in-england

Feel free to ask more questions now & as your planning progresses. You can also reach me by PM here on this site.

I haven't walked nearly as much of it a MmePerdu but have walked several bits/segments probably totalling maybe 30-ish miles in the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, Berks and London. Have never felt unsafe (can't think of a time I've ever felt 'unsafe' in the UK though)

If you plan on walking a significant length of the Path, I'd also would probably start from Oxford. The whole thing in more than 170 miles so a lot depends on how many days you can devote to it.

Officially 184 miles, Source to Thames Barrier.

When is this for? Right now, there is flooding along parts of the Thames path, at least by Hampton Court/Kingston/Kew/Richmond.

Thanks for the information. We will be in London and the Cotwolds in May/June and I am wanting to do some walks.

While the Thames Path is great, anywhere in England you find yourself there are local & long distance paths. The first long distance path I completed was the 102 mile Cotswold Way. https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/cotswold-way Depending on where you'll be in the Cotswolds you can plan to do a section of it or a "circular path" off the main way that begins & ends at one point. If you do a search using those words "cotswold way circular walks" you'll find no end of possibilities. Or, anywhere you plan to be you can print or buy or download maps for local walks, no planning ahead even necessary as staff at any accommodation can point you to nearby paths & local shops will most likely have printed information. There's nowhere in the UK you can escape from places to walk.

. . . And besides the long distance paths, every Cotswold village will have a several footpaths leading out into the countryside. Plus there are many books re walks in London or easily reached from the city.

Hmm, thought I said that. But if it wasn't clear, not just every village . . . EVERYWHERE.

Thank you all for the information, I will review it in detail this weekend. My current plans are to have 4-5 days in early June for this mini-adventure.
MmePerdu, I will be in touch!

MmePerdu- Thank you for the info. We are staying in Chipping Campden for 6 days, I am really looking forward to walking daily.

I'm glad to hear you're spending 6 days as so often visitors go to the area with a day-trip sort of mindset. I love that part of the countryside, stayed very nearby last visit for a week in Hidcote Boyce. The 2nd link in post #3 above includes places I visited in the Cotswolds on that trip, several very close to Chipping Campden, all within striking distance. The Cotswold Way begins in Chipping Campden and you'll certainly be able to find walking maps & a variety of walking information in town. No need to make decisions ahead of time unless you enjoy the planning.

Kaneohe, I look forward to hearing from you.