Thames Path National Trail
296 km / 184 miles
This National Trail, unique insofar as it is the only one mainly following a river, was officially opened in 1996. From the source the Trail meanders through Cricklade, Lechlade, Oxford, Abingdon, Windsor, Reading, Henley, Marlow and Maidenhead, and passing Windsor Castle and the palaces of Hampton Court and Kew, and Richmond. It then traverses central London with options on either bank, to reach the Thames Barrier. Kew Gardens, sites at Westminster, the Tower, and Maritime Greenwich, all close to the route, are World Heritage Sites.
There is extensive public transport availability along the route by way of rail, bus and river boat. The websites below provide tide times and other downloads useful for walkers: a users' guide and camping leaflets. The Aurum 'official' guides were re-issued in 2012 as two new separate guides for the country and London sections. For the sections in London, leaflets can be downloaded from the Walk London link below or ordered online or by phone or post. This weblink also carries updates on diversions, often found along this route, for example at Greenwich with riverside developments ongoing.
The waymarked Thames Path Extension (10 miles), which extends the national trail east from the Thames Barrier to Crayford Ness but does not have National Trail status, follows the south bank downstream from the Thames Barrier to Crayford Ness along east London's working river to link the Thames Path National Trail to the London LOOP at Erith, after which these two routes run together, joining with the Cray Riverway, to the Ness.
The waymarked Thames Down Link (15 miles and on OS mapping) provides a link from Kingston upon Thames to Westhumble on the North Downs Way National Trail. The waymarked Beeches Way (16 miles and on OS mapping) makes a link with the Grand Union Canal at West Drayton. The Green Trail (Richmond) (15 miles) links with the Thames Path at Hammersmith Bridge and Hampton going via Barnes Common, Richmond Park, Ham Common, Bushey Park and Home Park.
The LDWA National Trails Register offers certificates for completers of several British National Trails.
See also E-Routes (E2).
Strider News - December 2012 (Publication Update)
Details:
| Path Type: | National Trails (England & Wales) | |
| Waymark: | National Trail Acorn | |
| Attributes: | River; Urban; World Heritage Site; Heritage | |
| Start: | ST981994 - Thames Source near Kemble, Glos  |
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| Finish: | TQ417793 - Thames Barrier, Gtr London |
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| Open Date: | 1996 | |
| Web Sites: | http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ThamesPath/ | |
| Port of London Tide Times | ||
| http://www.visitthames.co.uk/ | ||
| http://www.thamespath.org.uk | ||
| Walk London |
Publications, Badges and Certificates:
| Certificate: | Certificate for National Trails (Long Distance Walkers Association - 2009) |
| Paperback: | Thames Path: From the source to Hampton Court (Aurum Press - 2012) |
| Paperback: | Thames Path in London: From Hampton Court to Crayford Ness: 50 miles of historic riverside walk (Aurum Press - 2012) |
| Paperback: | Thames Path: Sea to the Source (Cicerone Press - 2005) |
| Paperback: | Thames Path (National Trail Guides) (Aurum Press - 2010) |
| Illustrated Map: | Map of England and Wales Walking Routes (Arty2 Ltd - 2010) |
| Leaflet: | Thames Path: Public Transport Leaflet (Thames Path National Trail Officer - Annual) |
| Paperback: | Thames Path: Companion (Thames Path National Trail Officer - 2001) |
| Leaflet: | National Trails in England (Natural England - 2006) |
| Leaflets: | Thames Path: Walks Pack 1 (Thames Path National Trail Officer) |
| Leaflets: | Thames Path: In Greater London (Walk London - 2006) |
| Leaflet: | Thames Down Link (Lower Mole Project - 2001) |
| Booklet: | Rural Walks around Richmond (Ramblers Richmond - 2004) |
| Leaflet: | Cray Riverway (Bexley Council) |
| Paperback: | National Trails: The National Trials of England, Scotland & Wales (Cicerone Press - 2007) |
| Paperback: | Big Walks Of Great Britain (Summersdale Publications - 2007) |
| Paperback: | Big Walks of London (John Merrill Foundation - 2008) |
Maps: |
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| Purchase Ordnance Survey Maps (path is named on OS maps): | |
| OS Landranger: | 163, 164, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177 |
| OS Explorer: | 45, 159, 160, 161, 162, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 180 |
| OS Explorer Active: | 45, 159, 160, 161, 162, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 180 |
| Other Paper Maps: | |
| Harvey Map (Stripmap): | Thames Path National Trail (Harvey Maps - 2012) |
| Stripmap: | Thames, the River and the Path (GEOprojects - 2006) |
| Map (Other): | London Docklands & Greenwich (GEOprojects - 2000) |
| Map (Other): | London Street Atlas (Geographer's A-Z Map Company - 2005) |
| Map (Other): | Thames Ring Atlas (Inland Waterways Maps) (GEOprojects - 2004) |
| Digital Maps: | |
| Digital Mapping (25k Scale): | MEMORY-MAP V5 THAMES PATH OS 1:25,000 (Memory-Map Europe) |
| Digital Mapping (25k Scale): | Thames Path 1:25k & 1:50k (Satmap - 2009) |
| Digital Street Mapping: | A-Z Greater London by Memory-Map (Memory-Map Europe - 2005) |
Walking Support Providers:
| Support Providers: | Baggage Handling and Self-Guided Walks (Load Off Your Back) |
| Support Providers: | Guided Walking Holidays (HF Holidays) |
| Support Providers: | Self Guided Walking Holidays (Walk The Landscape) |
| Support Providers: | Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Contours Walking Holidays) |
| Support Providers: | Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Instep Walking Holidays) |
| Support Providers: | Walking, Hiking and Cycling Holidays (Explore Britain) |
Group Accommodation within 5 Km of this Path:
| Hostel Accommodation: | Oxford YHA, 2a Botley Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire | < 1 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Central Backpackers Oxford | < 1 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Streatley on Thames YHA, Reading Road, Streatley, Berkshire | < 1 Km |
Connected Paths:
Downloads:
| GPS Exchange Format Route File: | Thames Path National Trail GPX Exchange Format Route File | Login to Download (Members Only) |
| MemoryMap Route file: | Thames Path National Trail Memory Map Route File | Login to Download (Members Only) |
| Tracklogs Route file: | Thames Path National Trail Tracklogs Route File | Login to Download (Members Only) |
Route Profile:
| 292.7 Km (181.9 miles) 1,437 m (4,715 ft) ascent 112 m (367 ft) maximum height |
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