The Thames Path

Discover the tranquil countryside and lively towns along the Thames Path National Trail, a remarkable 292km (182-mile) journey that winds through the heart of London and traces the River Thames from London’s Woolwich Foot Tunnel to its rural source in Gloucestershire. This iconic route invites walkers to immerse themselves in a diverse mix of urban and rural scenery, with plentiful wildlife-spotting opportunities and convenient transport links throughout.

Whether you're a first-time long-distance walker or an experienced hiker seeking a low-elevation, year-round adventure, this comprehensive guidebook divides the Thames Path into 20 manageable daily stages. Along the way, discover historic landmarks such as the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, Runnymede Meadow (where the Magna Carta was sealed), Windsor Castle, England’s oldest town Abingdon, and the renowned Oxford University.

The route is described from sea to source, following the River Thames upstream from London’s Woolwich Foot Tunnel to its rural source in Gloucestershire. A handy summary table allows you to combine or split stages, so you can tailor your Thames Path journey to focus on vibrant cities like London and Oxford, historic towns such as Windsor and Abingdon, or the peaceful riverside villages and countryside in between.
For confident navigation along the entire Thames Path, whether winding past landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, skirting the meadows of Runnymede, or meandering through Oxford, a separate, pocket-sized booklet contains detailed 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey maps.
20 stage-by-stage route descriptions cover the full Thames Path, guiding you from London’s urban heart through Windsor, Henley, and Oxford, to Gloucestershire’s tranquil countryside.
Clear, step-by-step directions are supported by detailed mapping and downloadable GPX files, making it easy to follow the Thames Path through city neighborhoods, historic market towns, and scenic rural stretches using GPS devices or smartphone apps.
A handy trek planner and route summary table help you customise your itinerary, walk the entire Thames Path in about three weeks, or enjoy shorter sections at your own pace, focusing on highlights such as the regal streets of Windsor, the literary city of Oxford, or the idyllic Thames Valley villages.
Refreshment stops, accommodation, and transport options are listed for each stage, with recommendations in key locations such as Windsor, Henley, and Oxford, as well as convenient trail-side facilities throughout the route.


Plan your Thames Path adventure with confidence and experience one of the UK’s most treasured National Trails with this definitive guidebook and map set.

Seasons

the best seasons for walking are Spring and Autumn, although the summer has longer days. The Thames is a living and ever changing green waterway so in winter there can be flooding.

Centres

Greenwich, Central London, Richmond, Runnymede, Henley, Reading, Wallingford, Dorchester-on-Thames, Abingdon, Oxford, Lechlade and Cricklade

Difficulty

the route is described in 20 sections between 4 and 16 miles in length. Most of the walk can be undertaken close to public transport, mainly in the form of rail. But beyond Oxford the path can begin to feel remote and there is no railway station until the source. Here it is best to book accommodation ahead. This is a flat walk with just one hill (rewarded with a view). There are no stiles but many kissing gates and various path surfaces.

Must See

the famous landmarks seen include St Paul's Cathedral, the Palace of Westminster, Windsor Castle and the dreaming spires of Oxford. In addition there are remote churches and pretty waterside pubs. The scenery is ever changing as the walker passes from the urban to rural and below surprise hills as at Goring Gap or the Wittenham Clumps on the Sinodin Hills.

Overview map
Route summary table
Map key
Introduction
Towpath to National Trail
The Path today
Wildlife
Looking after the river
Accommodation and transport
Maps
Safety
Using this guide

The Thames Path
Stage 1 Woolwich Foot Tunnel to Tower Bridge
Stage 2 Tower Bridge to Putney
Stage 3 Putney to Kingston
Stage 4 Kingston to Chertsey
Stage 5 Chertsey to Staines
Stage 6 Staines to Windsor
Stage 7 Windsor to Maidenhead
Stage 8 Maidenhead to Marlow
Stage 9 Marlow to Henley
Stage 10 Henley to Reading
Stage 11 Reading to Pangbourne
Stage 12 Pangbourne to Goring
Stage 13 Goring to Wallingford
Stage 14 Wallingford to Dorchester
Stage 15 Dorchester to Abingdon
Stage 16 Abingdon to Oxford
Stage 17 Oxford to Newbridge
Stage 18 Newbridge to Lechlade
Stage 19 Lechlade to Cricklade
Stage 20 Cricklade to the Source

Appendix A Optional Prelude: Erith to Woolwich Foot Tunnel
Appendix B Further reading