The Thames Path at a glance
The Thames Path is a long-distance walking route that follows the river from its Cotswold source towards east London. Its published length depends partly on the endpoint and the line used to measure the river corridor. For map planning, compare the route shown in a guide with the endpoint and bank-side choices behind its distance figure. The trail’s National Trail designation also has a defined history and boundary.
Length and direction
The Thames Path length is usually given as about 184 miles (296 km), while some maps and guides quote about 185 miles (298 km). Both are useful rounded figures for a route running broadly east from the Thames source near Kemble to the Thames Barrier in London. A one-mile difference is not necessarily an error: published totals can reflect rounding, the precise endpoint chosen, and the line followed through river-side sections.
Bank choice also affects a measured total. The signed route uses bridges and changes banks where its alignment requires, while a map or itinerary may count a southern-bank alternative for a stretch that can be walked on either side. Approaches to bridges and the way a guide records short connections can add further small differences. The result is a distance range rather than a single figure that every map must reproduce.
Before dividing the walk into daily distances, check whether the guide measures to the Thames Barrier or uses another endpoint, and whether it includes a bank-side alternative. Use one map’s stated measurement consistently throughout an itinerary; mixing figures from different sources can make stage totals appear not to match the overall distance.
From source to barrier
The Thames Path route begins near Kemble in the Cotswolds and follows the river downstream to the Thames Barrier in east London. The Woolwich Foot Tunnel provides a way beneath the river, and some descriptions use its North Woolwich side as the endpoint instead of the Barrier. For map comparison, the counties along the route are:
- Gloucestershire: The route’s western starting area lies in the Cotswolds, near Kemble and the source of the Thames.
- Wiltshire: The trail enters this county near the river’s upper reaches, providing a useful boundary reference on maps around the source.
- Oxfordshire: The path follows the Thames through the county, including the river corridor around Oxford and downstream towns.
- Berkshire: River-side sections in Berkshire appear on maps between the Oxfordshire reach and the western approaches to London.
- Buckinghamshire: The route reaches Buckinghamshire along the middle Thames, where county boundaries meet or follow parts of the river.
- Surrey: The Thames corridor enters Surrey on the approach to the capital, offering a county reference for the lower river.
- Greater London: The final downstream portion crosses the London region, continuing east to the Barrier or, in some accounts, Woolwich Foot Tunnel.
County boundaries do not always sit neatly on one riverbank, so a county label on a map may describe the nearby corridor rather than a long inland section. Compare the mapped trail line with county boundaries and confirm whether the endpoint is the Barrier or the tunnel’s North Woolwich side before calculating the total distance.
Status and history
The Thames Path opened as a National Trail in 1996, giving the river-side walking route formal National Trail status. The idea had been proposed much earlier, in 1948, so nearly five decades passed between proposal and opening. These dates distinguish the route’s original concept from the later establishment of the trail as a continuous named walking route.
A separate extension to Crayford Ness opened in 2001 and added about 10 miles, but it is not part of the Thames Path National Trail. The distinction matters when comparing route descriptions: a map that includes Crayford Ness may show a longer Thames-side walk than one that follows only the National Trail. Check the line and stated endpoint in the map legend or guide before using its total for distance calculations.
Five stretches of the river
The Thames Path is commonly divided into five stretches, each with a distinct mix of countryside, settlements and riverside landscape. Approximate distances help compare them, but guides may measure the route differently and use slightly different boundaries. Check a current map before planning a walk, especially when choosing where to start and finish. The descriptions below show how the character of the Thames Path route changes from open farmland to London’s urban riverfront.
Thames Head to Oxford
This approximately 54-mile upper stretch crosses Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, beginning in rural countryside and ending at Oxford. Farmland, open meadows and small settlements set the tone. Near Thames Head, the river is little more than a small stream, so the path does not stay beside a clearly defined channel throughout this part of the walk.
For roughly the first 23 miles, the river can be difficult to follow on the ground. The route becomes more recognisably riverside as it approaches Lechlade, where the Thames is larger and the landscape begins to feel more closely linked to the water. Beyond the town, meadow edges and riverside paths lead onward through the upper Thames valley toward Oxford.
The countryside character makes this a substantial choice for walkers seeking a longer trip, rather than a brief riverside outing. The changing visibility of the river is a notable feature: early on, fields and lanes provide more of the route’s setting than a continuous waterside path. As Oxford approaches, the route transitions from open rural ground toward a larger historic city, giving the stretch a clear progression from source-country scenery to an urban destination.
Oxford to Henley
At approximately 51 miles, the stretch from Oxford to Henley combines riverside walking with a sequence of market towns and villages. The route passes Abingdon, Dorchester on Thames, Wallingford, Streatley and Reading, giving the walk a more settled rhythm than the upper stretch. Town centres, bridges and riverside sections alternate with quieter stretches of open bank.
Abingdon and Wallingford provide prominent town settings along the way, while Dorchester on Thames offers a smaller settlement between them. Farther east, the path passes through Streatley before reaching Reading, where the riverside environment meets a larger urban area. These changes make the route feel varied without losing its connection to the river.
For trip planning, the long distance can be divided around the towns along the route, with the choice of stopping point shaping how much walking takes place beside open riverbanks versus through built-up areas. The overall character is neither wholly rural nor continuously urban: market towns anchor the journey, while meadows and riverside paths connect them. Henley marks the eastern end of this stretch and the start of a shorter, more wooded section toward Windsor.
Henley to Windsor
This approximately 23-mile stretch links Henley, Marlow, Maidenhead and Windsor through a wooded valley landscape and a series of small towns. Compared with the longer reaches on either side, the route offers a more compact journey, with settlements providing clear points along the way. Between them, wooded slopes and riverside scenery give the walk a greener, more enclosed feel.
Marlow and Maidenhead break up the distance between Henley and Windsor, adding town sections to stretches beside the river. The combination is well suited to a shorter outing for walkers who want a substantial walk without taking on one of the longer parts of the Thames Path. It can also be divided according to the towns chosen as start and finish points.
At Windsor, the surroundings become more parkland in character, marking a change from the wooded valley and small-town sequence. This stretch suits a day’s walk for people whose preferred distance is shorter than the upper Thames or Oxford-to-Henley sections; individual fitness and pace still determine what feels manageable.
Windsor to Richmond
The approximately 28 miles from Windsor to Richmond pass through a landscape shaped by parks and larger riverside estates. Windsor Great Park, Runnymede and Hampton Court Park are major named features along this reach. Their open grounds and managed parkland contrast with the farm fields of the upper Thames and the wooded valley around Marlow.
The route’s character changes as it moves east. Parkland and broad green spaces provide long stretches away from dense town centres, while the river remains a constant point of reference. Runnymede is a notable riverside landscape on the way, and Hampton Court Park brings the walk into the setting of a major historic estate before the route continues toward Richmond.
At roughly 28 miles, this is a substantial section, though it can be approached in shorter parts using suitable start and finish points. Its appeal lies in the succession of open grounds and estate landscapes rather than a continuous sequence of market towns. Richmond marks the transition into the final, more distinctly urban stretch toward the Thames Barrier.
Richmond to the Thames Barrier
The final London stretch is roughly 28 miles, following the river from Richmond through an increasingly urban landscape to the Thames Barrier. Riverside paths pass through built-up districts, public spaces and areas shaped by London’s long relationship with the Thames. Instead of open farmland or a wooded valley, the setting is dominated by streets, bridges and buildings close to the water.
The walk brings the river’s changing role into view, from residential and historic riverside neighbourhoods to the capital’s central landmarks and working waterfront. Bridges and prominent civic buildings provide recognisable reference points, while former and current riverside sites reflect the city’s varied development. Farther east, the route continues through London’s urban landscape to its endpoint at the Thames Barrier.
This is the most city-focused of the five stretches, with frequent changes in surroundings as the path passes through different parts of the capital. Walkers choosing it for a longer outing can use the numerous urban districts as potential points to divide the journey, while those seeking a shorter walk can select a portion of the riverside route. The finish at the Barrier gives the full London reach a definite endpoint.
Comparison table
The five stretches range from a compact wooded-valley walk to longer journeys through countryside, towns and the capital. Distances are approximate: guidebooks may measure them differently or set slightly different boundaries, so confirm the route on a current map before fixing a start, finish or itinerary.
| Stretch | Approximate length | Landscape character | Main places |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thames Head to Oxford | 54 miles | Rural farmland and meadows | Thames Head, Lechlade, Oxford |
| Oxford to Henley | 51 miles | Market towns and riverside sections | Oxford, Abingdon, Dorchester on Thames, Wallingford, Streatley, Reading, Henley |
| Henley to Windsor | 23 miles | Wooded valley and small towns | Henley, Marlow, Maidenhead, Windsor |
| Windsor to Richmond | 28 miles | Parkland and larger riverside estates | Windsor, Runnymede, Hampton Court Park, Richmond |
| Richmond to the Thames Barrier | Roughly 28 miles | Urban riverside | Richmond, London, the Thames Barrier |
Henley to Windsor is the most suitable of these options for a shorter outing, while Thames Head to Oxford offers a longer rural trip. Choose by the distance you personally prefer, then use a current map to check the exact route and endpoints.
The upper Thames near Witney
Around Witney, the Thames Path follows a quieter, more rural part of the river landscape. The Thames is smaller and more winding here than on its lower reaches, with meadows and farmland forming much of the setting. The stretch from Lechlade towards Newbridge has relatively few towns beside the river. At Newbridge, the Windrush meets the Thames, helping explain the connection between the river path and nearby Witney.
Lechlade towards Newbridge
Between Lechlade and Newbridge, the upper Thames has a modest scale: the river winds through open countryside rather than a continuous line of built-up settlements. Its bends and narrower reaches create a different feel from the broad, urban river farther downstream. Meadows frequently meet the water, while fields and farmland shape much of the landscape beyond the banks. The result is a stretch where the river itself and the surrounding countryside are the main features of the Thames Path route.
The path’s setting is predominantly rural. Long views across grassland and cultivated fields replace frequent town centres, and buildings tend to be less prominent along the river corridor. The land is not uniformly open: field boundaries, trees and hedges can break up views, while the river’s winding course means the outlook changes as the path follows each bend. This mix of water, meadow and working farmland gives the walk a distinctly pastoral character.
Lechlade and Newbridge provide useful geographic reference points when reading a Thames Path map. Between them, expect stretches where the route feels removed from larger settlements, rather than a sequence of towns with continuous streets along the bank. The landscape is best understood as a river valley used for both farming and walking, with the Thames threading through low-lying countryside. For map planning, follow the Thames itself as it curves through the fields; the path’s rural character is tied closely to that winding course.
Where the Windrush joins the Thames
The River Windrush joins the Thames at Newbridge in Oxfordshire, and the Thames Path passes the junction. The meeting of the two rivers is a useful landmark in this part of the upper Thames: one watercourse continues as the Thames, while the Windrush flows in from the direction of Witney. The junction places Witney within the same local river landscape, but it does not mean the town lies on the Thames.
Witney is on the River Windrush, not on the River Thames. That distinction matters when tracing the rivers or planning a walk from a town name alone. On a map, check the labels attached to the blue river lines: the Windrush runs through Witney and reaches the Thames at Newbridge. The Thames Path follows the Thames past this meeting point, rather than turning into a route along the Windrush to Witney. Using the river names as well as place names makes the geography clear and prevents the two waterways from being confused.
Towpath, diversions and flooding
The Thames Path uses the river corridor closely, but the ground beneath it changes from firm gravel to grass, mud and urban paving. Most of the trail follows the original towpath, reflecting the historic practice of towing boats along the river. The route also leaves the water where old ferry crossings are no longer available or land access requires a different line. River levels can affect low-lying sections, so check current trail information and mapping before departure.
Walking on the towpath
Most of the Thames Path follows the original towpath, the route once used by horses or people hauling boats upstream against the current. That history explains why the trail often stays close to the water, though its surface and width vary considerably.
Expect changing ground rather than a continuous, engineered track. These checks help match footwear, timing and route plans to the conditions:
- Between rural villages, towpaths may be compacted earth, gravel or grass; after rain, clay-rich patches can become slippery and hold puddles.
- Near locks and popular riverside towns, short stretches may be paved or surfaced with hard gravel, while adjoining paths remain narrow and uneven.
- Check the latest Thames Path National Trail notices for closures or temporary changes, then compare the route with a current map before setting out.
- Use footwear with a grippy tread for muddy or loose ground; comfortable walking shoes may suit dry, firm surfaces and paved urban sections.
- Allow extra time where gates, narrow paths or soft ground slow progress, and carry a charged phone and a paper or offline map.
Conditions can change within a few miles, particularly after rain, so a dry-weather estimate may not reflect the pace on a muddy stretch. A current map and footwear suited to mixed surfaces are the most useful preparations for walking the towpath.
Diversions
The Thames Path does not remain on one bank throughout. Where former ferry crossings have disappeared, or access along the water is unavailable, the public route may turn inland to a bridge, road or alternative right of way.
These examples show why a riverside itinerary sometimes takes a longer line:
- At Shiplake, the trail cannot rely on the former ferry to carry walkers across the river, so follow the signed route to an available crossing.
- Near Whitchurch-on-Thames, the former ferry crossing is no longer a link in the path; the route uses a bank crossing instead.
- At Moulsford, the loss of a former ferry means walkers must follow the designated route away from the immediate riverbank to cross.
- Some stretches change banks at bridges or other established crossings, so a route shown close to the river may briefly move inland.
- Where riverside land is private, the public trail bypasses it on signed paths or roads rather than following an informal line through fields.
Follow trail signs at junctions and check the map around each crossing: a bridge approach can add distance, while a private-land bypass may run parallel to the river without reaching the water. Do not assume that a former ferry still operates or that a direct bank-to-bank route is available.
Floods
Some sections of the Thames Path can be under water after heavy rain, when the river rises over its low banks and spreads across adjoining meadows. Floodplain paths in the upper Thames, including rural reaches between Lechlade and Oxford, are particularly exposed; low-lying stretches farther downstream can also become impassable when river levels rise.
Flooding may cover the path even when the nearest road remains open, and muddy ground can persist after water has receded. Do not treat a route line on a map as proof that a riverside section is currently passable. Before setting out, check official Thames Path National Trail information for closures or diversions and consult an up-to-date map for an alternative route. Recheck conditions close to the day of travel, since heavy rainfall can change access after an earlier plan was made.
Questions about the Thames Path
These answers clarify the route’s distance, endpoints, status, towpath sections and county boundaries.
How long is the Thames Path?
The Thames Path is about 184 miles (296 kilometres) long, from Thames Head near Kemble to the Thames Barrier. Published totals can differ slightly because sources may measure route revisions, endpoint approaches or the signed line differently; personal walking distances also change when you follow a detour. For Thames Path distance estimates, use the same start and finish points when comparing maps or itineraries. Check an up-to-date map and official National Trails information before setting out, as route details may change.
Where does the Thames Path start and finish?
The Thames Path National Trail starts at Thames Head near Kemble and finishes at the Thames Barrier in Woolwich, east London. Some route descriptions include a Woolwich Foot Tunnel crossing as a variant, while the Thames Path Extension continues beyond the Barrier to Crayford Ness; that extension is not part of the National Trail. These distinctions matter when choosing endpoints for an itinerary or arranging transport. Check an up-to-date map before setting out so your start, finish and any crossing match the route you intend to walk.
Is the Thames Path a National Trail?
Yes, the Thames Path is a National Trail; it officially opened in 1996, following an earlier proposal for a riverside path in 1948. The designation applies to the established trail between Thames Head and the Thames Barrier. The route continuing from the Barrier to Crayford Ness is a separate extension, not part of the National Trail. For current route information and any changes to its status or alignment, check official National Trails information and consult an up-to-date map before setting out.
Is the whole Thames Path a towpath?
No; most, but not all, of the Thames Path follows the original towpath beside the river. Access restrictions, crossings and changes in the riverbank route mean walkers leave the towpath at points including Shiplake, Whitchurch-on-Thames and Moulsford. These diversions can use village roads or other public paths, so following the river’s edge alone may not keep you on the signed trail. Check an up-to-date map for the current Thames Path route and diversion signs before setting out.
Which counties does the Thames Path cross?
The Thames Path crosses Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Greater London. The upper-river route runs through Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, then continues through Berkshire and Buckinghamshire; farther downstream, the trail passes through Surrey and Greater London. County boundaries do not always follow the riverbank, so a map is more useful than assuming the Thames marks the dividing line. For planning stops, access or transport near the route, check an up-to-date map showing both the trail and county boundaries.