Walking the Thames Path (Oxford to Windsor)

Walking information

The walking in the most part follows the National Trail on riverside trails, paths or pavements and occasionally on a path across a fields and through woodland.

Day 1: Arrive in Oxford

Arrive in the city of dreaming spires and discover its wealth of historical highlights.
Stay overnight at The Oxford Coach and Horses or similar

Day 2: Oxford to Abingdon (9.75mi/15.5km)

Follow the trail through the Iffley Meadows Nature Reserve to the lock at Sandford, which has the greatest fall of water on the Thames with its weir, known as the Sandford Lasher. Continue to reach Abingdon, one of the most important historic towns on the Thames Path with Iron Age origins.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at The Coseners House or similar

Day 3: Abingdon to Wallingford (13.5mi/21km)

Walk through the pretty village of Culham and with a short detour, Dorchester, with its thatched cottages, before reaching Wallingford, home to the remains of a medieval castle.
There are two impressive abbeys to enjoy on this stretch: the remains of Abingdon Abbey at the start of the day and the great abbey church in Dorchester built around 1140.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at the Town Arms or similar

Day 4: Wallingford to Pangbourne (11mi/17km)

Walk through hamlets, water meadows and woodlands between the Chiltern Hills to the east and the Berkshire Downs to the west before crossing the toll bridge leading to Pangbourne. It is thought that the water voles here inspired author Kenneth Grahame's character Ratty in his book The Wind in the Willows.

Stay overnight at The Elephant or similar

Day 5: Pangbourne to Henley (16mi/25 km)

Follow the trail towards Sonning, described by Jerome K Jerome in Three Men in a Boat as 'the most fairy-like little nook on the whole river'; before reaching Henley-on-Thames, known for its annual rowing regatta. The award-winning River and Rowing Museum is on the banks of the river as you enter the town.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at The Row Barge or similar

Day 6: Henley to Marlow (8.5mi/13.5km)

Leave Henley and follow the length of the regatta course to Temple Island, the starting point of the race. Continue along the river to Hambleden Lock with its picturesque view of the lock, a series of weirs across which you can walk and Hambleden Mill. Walk through open meadowland to Marlow with its fine suspension bridge.
Stay overnight at The Prince of Wales or similar

Day 7: Marlow to Windsor (14.5mi/23 km)

Walk through one of the most beautiful stretches of the Thames Valley with the wooded slopes of Winter Hill rising on the opposite bank as you leave Marlow. Follow peaceful river paths passing some places of historic significance, Bourne End, where Enid Blyton lived and Cookham, home to the artist Stanley Spencer who lived here for 49 years and where the chapel is now a memorial gallery to his work. The grand finale of the walk is spotting Windsor Castle towering above the water.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at Alma House or similar

Day 8: Depart after breakfast

Breakfast included