Meadows, towns, and city streets linked by the steady line of England’s most familiar river
The Thames Path is a long-distance self-guided walking route following the River Thames from its source near Kemble in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier in London, linking riverside routes, landscapes, and places through meadowland, market towns, countryside, and the capital. As one of England’s National Trails, it traces the full course of the river, revealing how water connects rural valleys, historic settlements, and urban neighbourhoods in one continuous journey on foot.
Walking here is defined by continuity rather than challenge. The terrain is largely flat and well surfaced, with towpaths, grassy banks, parkland paths, and quiet lanes allowing steady progress without sustained climbing. The river acts as a constant guide, shaping both direction and pace, so navigation feels natural and intuitive.
The character of the landscape shifts gradually as the Thames grows. Near its source, the river is narrow and quiet, crossing fields and water meadows through the Cotswolds. Further east, it widens through towns such as Lechlade, Abingdon, and Henley-on-Thames, where locks, bridges, and stone buildings reflect centuries of river life. Around Windsor and Hampton Court, royal parks and broad lawns line the banks, before the route enters London, where the same river threads past Richmond, Kew, Westminster, and Greenwich.
Despite passing through major settlements, long stretches feel calm and green. Willows, grazing meadows, and backwaters create space between towns, and even in the city the path often sits slightly apart from roads, following the quieter edge of the water.
Unlike upland or coastal trails, the appeal of the Thames Path lies in its steadiness. It is a route shaped by water, history, and everyday movement — a continuous walk that reveals England gradually, one bend of the river at a time.
Trail Overview
Distance
184 miles / 294 km
Typical time on foot
14–20 days (often walked in sections)
Start
Thames Head, near Kemble, Gloucestershire
Finish
Thames Barrier, Greenwich, London
Terrain
Towpaths, riverside paths, grassy meadows, parkland, promenades, and quiet lanes
