Meadows, market towns, and a slow journey along England’s most familiar river
The Thames Path (South East Section) is a long-distance self-guided walking route following the River Thames between Hampton Court and Oxford, linking riverside routes, landscapes, and places through Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. Much of the trail stays close to the water on towpaths, lock paths, and grassy banks, tracing the natural line of the river as it moves from the edge of London into open countryside.
Walking here is defined by ease and continuity rather than effort. The terrain is largely flat and well surfaced, allowing steady progress beside the river without sustained climbing. The Thames itself acts as a constant guide, shaping both direction and pace, with each bend revealing a gradual change in scenery rather than sudden shifts in landscape.
The character of the route unfolds slowly. Around Hampton Court and Windsor, royal parks, historic estates, and broad lawns line the banks. Further west, the path passes through small towns and villages such as Marlow, Henley-on-Thames, and Goring, where locks, bridges, and stone buildings reflect centuries of river life. Meadows, willows, and quiet backwaters create long stretches that feel surprisingly rural despite their proximity to London.
Beyond the Chilterns, the river widens into open farmland and low hills, before reaching the college meadows and historic streets of Oxford. Here, the Thames flows past grazing fields and ancient bridges, offering a calm and fitting conclusion to the journey.
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 where landscape and settlement are encountered gradually, one bend of the river at a time.
Trail Overview
Distance
104 miles / 167 km (Hampton Court to Oxford)
Typical time on foot
7–9 days (often walked in sections)
Start
Hampton Court, Surrey
Finish
Oxford, Oxfordshire
Terrain
Towpaths, riverside paths, grassy meadows, parkland, and quiet lanes
