Have you walked the Thames Path?
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2003
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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!
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!
#2



Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 30,648
Likes: 4
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/
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/
#3

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,846
Likes: 26
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.
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.
#4



Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,008
Likes: 50
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.
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.
#7

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,818
Likes: 0
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.
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.
Thanks for the information. We will be in London and the Cotwolds in May/June and I am wanting to do some walks.
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#8

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Last edited by MmePerdu; Feb 20th, 2020 at 05:00 PM.
#10

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#12

Joined: Jan 2014
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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.
MmePerdu- Thank you for the info. We are staying in Chipping Campden for 6 days, I am really looking forward to walking daily.
#13

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,846
Likes: 26
Kaneohe, I look forward to hearing from you.
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