The Thames Path National Trail
Southern England
Length: 294 km/184 miles
Average time to complete: 14 days
Along England’s greatest river
This National Trail follows England’s best known river for 294 km (184 miles) as it meanders from its source in the Cotswolds through rich and contrasting countryside before entering the heart of London where the Trail ends at the Thames Barrier near Greenwich, a few miles from the sea.
On its way the Trail travels through peacefully grazed water meadows and unspoilt rural villages where birds and flowers abound. Unusual for a National Trail the Thames Path also passes through several historic market towns and cities, such as Oxford and Henley, which offer a range of accommodation and other facilities. Riverside pubs, imposing country houses and a variety of other attractions to explore, including the Royal Palaces and Castles of Windsor, Hampton Court, Kew and the Tower of London, are just some of the highlights along the way.
A relatively gentle Trail, easy to reach by train, bus or boat, it would take on average 14 days to complete the Thames Path. However many visitors choose to walk a section at a time or to visit just for part of a day to relax and stroll beside the flowing river.