Thames Path hike, a 6 day riverside trek between Oxford and Windsor in July 2021

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Thames Path Walk 2021 Photo Gallery

DAY 1
Oxford - Abingdon

We start off with a selfie as we start our 6 day trek in Oxford.

We head south on the western bank of the Thames.
Today's stretch is a relatively short 10 mile leg.

The disused railway bridge near Kennington, Oxfordshire.

Sandford Lock, in operation.

Abingdon Lock, with weir alongside.
Shortly before this point we had to navigate a stretch of muddy, wet and slippery clay paths.

DAY 2
Abingdon - Wallingford

We bid farewell to Abingford Bridge and head south.
Today's trek was probably the least attractive leg, not helped by the recent rain and a lot of narrow paths bounded by tall, wet grass and nettles.
There was also a poorly signed diversion from the path which added a couple of miles to the journey.

We approach the village of Clifton Hampden with it's very attractice red brick bridge.
Behind the bridge is the hamlet's 12th century church.
We had lunch outside the village shop and I had my obligatory holiday Magnum ice lolly.

A close up shot of the red brick road bridge crossing the Thames near Clifton Hampden.

The ever changing river as we continue on towards Dorchester-on-Thames, Shillingford and then Benson.

DAY 3
Wallingford - Pangbourne

We had lunch today at the village of Goring.
Here is a view from Goring's bridge looking north.

Another view from the bridge, this time of Goring Lock and the adjacent weir.

The double arch railway bridge just south of Goring.
I devoted a lot of attention to the railway bridges I encountered on the Thames.
I am looking at the architecture so I might be able to get ideas for my Lego railway.

DAY 4
Pangbourne - Henley-on-Thames

Heading west to east from Pangbourne on the south bank.

I was walking on my own today - here near Caversham on the Thameside Promenade on the north fringe of Reading.
I can't recall seeing so many swans in one place before.

Just passed beneath Reading Bridge and now heading to the north east towards Sonning.

A scene at Sonning Lock, heading through one of the prettiest stretches of the Thames.

I bought some chocolate at the village shop in Lower Shiplake, an area oozing with wealth.
Heading out of the village I came across this miniature railway built in a private garden.
No trains in sight though on this occasion.

The long bridge at March Lock, which heads right out into the Thames and then back to the bank.
At this point we are about a mile south of Henley Bridge.

The busy riverside life looking south from Henley Bridge.

DAY 5
Henley-on-Thames to Marlow.

Some rather posh buildings on the path to Marlow.
Bisham Church, just outside Marlow.
The fishing rods on the riverbank belonged to a chap to whom I chatted to about the kinds of fish he catches in the river.

A short while later we approach Marlow with its church and bridge.

My obsession with bridges again!
Grade 1 listed building.
Built: 1831-36.
Suspension bridge by William Tierney Clark, a pupil of Telford and assistant to Rennie.
He designed bridges also at Hammersmith and Budapest both of which are now destroyed.
The chairs are carried by pair of stone Doric triumphal arches on rusticated piers.
The whole bridge was very substantially restored in 1956-7 so that much of the ironwork and chains are now new.
The appearance of the bridge however remains unchanged.

Another view of Marlow Bridge.

DAY 6
Marlow - Eton and Windsor.

Bourne End Railway Bridge is a railway bridge carrying the Marlow Branch Line, and a footpath over the River Thames in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire.
It crosses the Thames on the reach between Cookham Lock and Marlow Lock.

Some very relaxing woodland scenery on the way towards Maidenhead.
A railway bridge at Maidenhead.

My only mistake today was not to properly research places to stop for a coffee on the way to Eton.
I crossed a footbridge to try and get to Bray Marina, where there appeared to be a restaurant.
After a long diversion I decided to abandon this idea and returned to the footbridge.
Took a picture of this flotilla of cruising boats heading back to Marlow.
The river was very busy on this day, with queues of 8 or 9 vessels waiting at locks.

Finally, as I turn the corner on the Thames, Windsor Castle comes into view.
I arrived in Eton, on my side of the river, and had a coffee before meeting John and Mary at the hotel.
We had a nice meal at a restaurant on the riverside, with cousin Patricia invited along.

Hmm, unexpectedly woken up (no doubt along with thousands of others, including the Queen) by a flood warning siren at 4:15 in the morning.

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DAY 1 Oxford - Abingdon We start off with a selfie as we start our 6 day trek in Oxford.
We head south on the western bank of the Thames. Today's stretch is a relatively short 10 mile leg.
The disused railway bridge near Kennington, Oxfordshire.
Sandford Lock, in operation.
Abingdon Lock, with weir alongside. Shortly before this point we had to navigate a stretch of muddy, wet and slippery clay paths.
DAY 2 Abingdon - Wallingford We bid farewell to Abingford Bridge and head south. Today's trek was probably the least attractive leg, not helped by the recent rain and a lot of narrow paths bounded by tall, wet grass and nettles. There was also a poorly signed diversion from the path which added a couple of miles to the journey.
We approach the village of Clifton Hampden with it's very attractice red brick bridge. Behind the bridge is the hamlet's 12th century church. We had lunch outside the village shop and I had my obligatory holiday Magnum ice lolly.
A close up shot of the red brick road bridge crossing the Thames near Clifton Hampden.
The ever changing river as we continue on towards Dorchester-on-Thames, Shillingford and then Benson.
DAY 3 Wallingford - Pangbourne We had lunch today at the village of Goring. Here is a view from Goring's bridge looking north.
Another view from the bridge, this time of Goring Lock and the adjacent weir.
The double arch railway bridge just south of Goring. I devoted a lot of attention to the railway bridges I encountered on the Thames. I am looking at the architecture so I might be able to get ideas for my Lego railway.
DAY 4 Pangbourne - Henley-on-Thames Heading west to east from Pangbourne on the south bank.
I was walking on my own today - here near Caversham on the Thameside Promenade on the north fringe of Reading. I can't recall seeing so many swans in one place before.
Just passed beneath Reading Bridge and now heading to the north east towards Sonning.
A scene at Sonning Lock, heading through one of the prettiest stretches of the Thames.
I bought some chocolate at the village shop in Lower Shiplake, an area oozing with wealth. Heading out of the village I came across this miniature railway built in a private garden. No trains in sight though on this occasion.
The long bridge at March Lock, which heads right out into the Thames and then back to the bank. At this point we are about a mile south of Henley Bridge.
The busy riverside life looking south from Henley Bridge.
DAY 5 Henley-on-Thames to Marlow. Some rather posh buildings on the path to Marlow.
Bisham Church, just outside Marlow. The fishing rods on the riverbank belonged to a chap to whom I chatted to about the kinds of fish he catches in the river.
A short while later we approach Marlow with its church and bridge.
My obsession with bridges again! Grade 1 listed building. Built: 1831-36. Suspension bridge by William Tierney Clark, a pupil of Telford and assistant to Rennie. He designed bridges also at Hammersmith and Budapest both of which are now destroyed. The chairs are carried by pair of stone Doric triumphal arches on rusticated piers. The whole bridge was very substantially restored in 1956-7 so that much of the ironwork and chains are now new. The appearance of the bridge however remains unchanged.
Another view of Marlow Bridge.
DAY 6 Marlow - Eton and Windsor. Bourne End Railway Bridge is a railway bridge carrying the Marlow Branch Line, and a footpath over the River Thames in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. It crosses the Thames on the reach between Cookham Lock and Marlow Lock.
Some very relaxing woodland scenery on the way towards Maidenhead.
A railway bridge at Maidenhead.
My only mistake today was not to properly research places to stop for a coffee on the way to Eton. I crossed a footbridge to try and get to Bray Marina, where there appeared to be a restaurant. After a long diversion I decided to abandon this idea and returned to the footbridge. Took a picture of this flotilla of cruising boats heading back to Marlow. The river was very busy on this day, with queues of 8 or 9 vessels waiting at locks.
Finally, as I turn the corner on the Thames, Windsor Castle comes into view. I arrived in Eton, on my side of the river, and had a coffee before meeting John and Mary at the hotel. We had a nice meal at a restaurant on the riverside, with cousin Patricia invited along. Hmm, unexpectedly woken up (no doubt along with thousands of others, including the Queen) by a flood warning siren at 4:15 in the morning.