Thames Path National Trail

Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Gtr London, Oxfordshire, Reading, Surrey, Swindon, W Berkshire, Wiltshire, Windsor & Maidenhead, Wokingham

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 - August 2019 (Route Diversions)

Temple Footbridge has reopened. The Environment Agency will be programming minor bridge maintenance during this season, however they will work to minimise the impact this has on Thames Path users. The bridge near Marlow near Temple Lock was closed (May 2019) with a signed diversion. See https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thames-path/news/temple-bridge-has-reopened and https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thames-path/news/temple-bridge-extended-closure-between-hurley-and-marlow  with maps.

 

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Details:

Path Type:	National Trails (England & Wales)
Waymark:	National Trail Acorn
Attributes:	National Trail (England and Wales) Easy River Urban World Heritage Site Heritage
Start:	ST980995 - Thames Source near Kemble, Gloucestershire
Finish:	TQ415792 - Thames Barrier, Gtr London
Open Date:	1996
Web Sites:	Port of London - Tide Tables TfL - Thames Path National Trails - Thames Path Jason McDonald's Walking Pages - Thames Path National Trail Thames Path - Tim Bertuchi British Walks - Thames Path Annierak - Thames Path National Trail Stephen and Lucy Dawson - Thames Path

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Paperback	Thames Path  (Cicerone Press  - 2016 )
Paperback	Thames Path Map Booklet  (Cicerone Press  - 2016 )
Paperback	Thames Path : in the Country : from the source to Hampton Court : National Trail Guide  (Aurum Press (an imprint of Quarto)  - 2016 )
Paperback	Thames Path : in London : from Hampton Court to Crayford Ness : 50 miles of historic riverside walk : National Trail Guide  (Aurum Press (an imprint of Quarto)  - 2012 )
Guidebook	Thames Path : Thames Head to the Thames Barrier  (Trailblazer Publications  - 2018 )
Certificate	Certificate for National Trails  (Long Distance Walkers Association  - 2009 )
Paperback	Thames Path: Companion  (Walk Unlimited  - 2013 )
General Interest Book	Story of the Thames  (Amberley Publishing  - 2013 )
General Interest Book	Big walks of Great Britain  (Summersdale Publishers  - 2007 )
Guidebook	Big Walks of London  (John Merrill Foundation  - 2008 )
Paperback	The London Thames Path  (Frances Lincoln (an imprint of Quarto)  - 2015 )
Paperback	Big Walks of the South  (Summersdale Publishers  - 2010 )
General Interest Book	From source to sea : notes from a 215-mile walk along the River Thames  (Summersdale Publishers  - June 2017 )
Badge	Badge for National Trails  (Walk Unlimited )
Paperback	Grand Union, Oxford & the South East No. 1 (Collins Nicholson Waterways Guides)  (HarperCollins  - 2016 )
E-Book	Thames Path (Cicerone)  (Amazon Media Group  - 2016 )
External PDF	Surrey County Council - Thames Down Link  (Surrey County Council )
Guidebook	National trails : complete guide to Britain's National Trails  (Cicerone Press  - 2015 )
General Interest Book	With rucksack and bus pass  (Matador (an imprint of Troubadour)  - 2010 )
Guidebook	The Thames from Hampton to Richmond Bridge : the walker's guide  (The Laird Press (David McDowall)  - 2002 )
Guidebook	The Thames from Richmond to Putney Bridge : the walker's guide  (The Laird Press (David McDowall)  - 2005 )

Click to showhide 17 more Publications, Badges and Certificates

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