Thames Path walking vacation in England
Follow the meandering River Thames on this classic National Walking Trail from Oxford to Windsor. Historic attractions line a delightful, easygoing route.
Thames Path downstream from Oxford to Windsor 74 miles of the full 180-mile route Via Reading, Henley on Thames and Marlow Average 15 miles per day Oxford colleges Windsor Castle Henley on Thames Rowing Museum
£744To£1098 excluding flights
What's included accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea & coffee making facilities daily luggage transfer
detailed itineraries, map & guide book
Description of Thames Path walking vacation in England
Price information
Departure information
This vacation can be booked from the 1st March to 31st October each year.
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Reviews
2 Reviews of Thames Path walking vacation in England
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 10 Jul 2023 by Christopher Chapman
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The walk was amazing. I got to see so much of England and enjoy the country and the towns that I passed through.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Plan for every weather condition.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes to all.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was a great experience. I plan to schedule more trips in the future.
Reviewed on 21 May 2018 by Frances Harris
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Watching the Thames grow from a trickle to a mighty river, and seeing human life grow and change along with it. We also loved the feeling of accomplishment at the end of each day. Really, it was all the small things - the village life, great food (and beer!) in rural areas, wisteria in bloom, the right amount of solitude, gentle beauty at every turn, sheep watching us. We couldn't get enough of seeing how people decked out their narrow boats.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Our one major suggestion for the tour operator is that they calibrate distances more accurately. Distances appeared to reflect the path itself and not always take into account the route from the path to the accommodation. One day was particularly difficult (Lechlade to Northmoor). The tour materials reported 16 miles; our phones recorded the distance as 20. Our hosts for the night (Rectory Farm - amazing place!) told us the previous night’s guests had the same experience, and they had booked with a different company. So this may be an industry practice. If so, I would caution other travelers to be prepared for longer walking times than their instructions indicate. I would also encourage people to not feel bad about hopping on buses to get in and out of cities like Oxford where the walking is less rewarding. Another pro tip - you have to ask for the bathroom at most locks. No signage, and they are typically locked. Finally, in terms of accommodations, expect some funky and very local. Don’t sign up for this trip if you want shiny new! That’s not the point.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely. Only one of our accommodations seemed remotely like a chain (and not enough for me to even name it here). We spent money in many local establishments. And walking certainly reduces impact.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The only thing that keeps me from giving the vacation a 5-star rating is the distance calibration problem noted above. The luggage transfer was brilliant and the accommodations were what we expected and, for the most part, quite nice. Communication with the tour operator was also good. We'd definitely do a trip like this again.
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) vacation so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.
Planet
We are a family run business and are committed to operating a Responsible Travel Policy. We aim to provide a quality and positive experience for our customers while contributing to and enhancing the local economy and respecting the environment.Whilst walking you are taking part in a healthy activity and visiting the area while reducing road congestion. The British government encourages people to visit the area on foot using public transport in line with their desire to encourage sustainable tourism.
The Beetle & Wedge Boathouse Restaurant at Moulsford is a great riverside stop to enjoy a well earned drink and slice of cake with a lovely terrace on The Thames bank.
We would also recommend that guests consider visiting The Rowing Museum at Henley on Thames.
While visiting Windsor we always suggest considering taking a tour of Windsor Castle.
There are a number of National Trust Properties & attractions in the are . The entrance fees are used to restore and conserve our heritage, and provide employment for local people.
The Responsible Travel Code of Conduct which you receive with your information pack contains suggestions on how to be an ethical traveler by reducing water usage, recycling and properly disposing of litter, and reducing damage to the environment.
The accommodations we use in the great glen are locally owned and operated and use local produce for providing you with breakfast. Wherever possible we use accommodations that are registered with the Green Tourism Business Scheme. There are local shops, pubs and cafes available for lunches and dinners. All these issues make a great difference to the economic welfare of the local community by providing employment.
During the booking process for your vacation we reduce paper usage by corresponding by email wherever possible and only printing correspondence which is legally binding. We recycle our ink cartridges and envelopes, and use low energy light bulbs. Paper which cannot be recycled is shredded and composted.
Whilst on this vacation you will be walking at your own pace in your own group. We restrict group sizes on our self-guided walking vacations to a maximum of 12 to reduce impact on the community.
We encourage you to use this walking vacation as means to support your chosen charity by way of sponsorship.
People
When walking on the Thames Path we aim to provide a quality and positive experience for you while contributing to and enhancing the local economy and respecting the environment of countryside, towns, rivers and forests.This section of The Thames Path has some historic inns one of our teams person favourites is The Bull Inn at Sonning
The locally owned accommodations give our guests a warm welcome and recommend local pubs, cafes and restaurants along the Thames Path for lunches and dinners. All these issues make a great difference to the economic welfare of the local community by providing employment and sustaining the local economy.
By taking this vacation on the Thames Path you are contributing to the community by providing income for accommodation providers, pub landlords, restaurant and cafe owners, luggage transfer drivers, and local farmers. There are a large number of Tourist attractions in the Cotswold area. Whilst walking on the Thames Path we encourage guests to visit attractions. The entrance fees are used to restore and conserve our heritage, and provide employment for local people.
We encourage you to use this walking vacation as means to support your chosen charity by way of sponsorship.
All our used postage stamps are collected and used to raise money for local good causes.
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