Walk between Oxford and Windsor along the Thames Path. The walking is exhilarating as it follows a mature river, with colourful river boats, great loops, and numerous locks and weirs. Walk through a mixture of landscapes of quiet countryside, beech woodlands, small hamlets full of historic interest. The Thames has been a constant source of inspiration for artists and authors due to its many outstanding features.
Some of the natural, architectural and engineering highlights include the famous Christchurch Meadows, Goring Gap between the Chiltern Hills and Berkshire Downs, the Sandford Lasher (weir at Sandford lock), Hambledon Weir, Henley Bridge and the beautiful suspension bridge at Marlow, and of course ending at the impressive Royal Palace, Windsor Castle.
Spot water voles, herons and kingfisher as well as numerous ducks, coots, geese and swans. Enjoy wild flower meadows and woody copses.
Accommodation is in a range of friendly B&Bs, inns and hotels, some of which are of historical interest from a 16th Century coaching inn to a house originally the residence for Queen Victoria's minor government officials.
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.
Arrive in the city of dreaming spires and discover its wealth of historical highlights.
Stay overnight at The Oxford Coach and Horses or similar
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
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
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.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at The Elephant or similar
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
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.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at The Prince of Wales or similar
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
Breakfast included
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347, use our live webchat or email usa@exodustravels.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
The Town Arms is located in the historic market town of Wallingford beside the river Thames. There is a bar and restaurant which serve local ales and home-cooked food.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Here at Headwater we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can continue to develop, and where necessary improve, our services and ensure our holidays continue to be the best they can be. However, as this is a relatively new holiday, we don't yet have any customer reviews available.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 7 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of , , and hotels
6x Breakfast
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Guide book with route information
How to book:
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
To enquire about this holiday, or for further information, call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Meals
6x Breakfast
Other details
Route notes are provided in the form of a guide book which is supplied on arrival.
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
