Thames Path Hike

The Thames path follows the best-known river in the UK for 184 miles. The trail starts in the Cotswolds and twists and turns through several counties before making its way into the heart of London.

Not only are you treated to a beautiful city along the way, but the walk also passes by some notable historic towns, quaint villages, gothic towers, and lush meadows, which come alive with wildlife as you escape built-up areas.

The river Thames became iconic because it was the most vital trade route and helped the capital grow to what it is today.

It wasn’t until later on when roads took over, and the river became less prevalent. In the 1930s, there was a discussion about how the towpath could be used.

But it wasn’t until 1996 and many discussions from groups like the Ramblers Association and River Thames Society until the final 16 miles of the towpath were successfully opened to hikers.

What’s cool about this route is when you start the walk, it’s very likely you won’t see any water.

However, as you continue the walk, the small trickle of water becomes a stream, and not long after that, it becomes a full-flowing river.

It really is something to behold and makes the whole journey very worthwhile

During the walk, you’ll find yourself in bliss as you follow the river through historic towns and villages and meadows teeming with wildlife.

But what’s unique about this walk is the number of sights the hike has to offer. Along the walk, you’ll be able to see:

• Syon Park
• The Thames Barrier
• Tower Bridge
• Battersea Park
• Teddington Lock
• The Houses of Parliament
• And much more

So, if you want to spend your time taking in some sights, this is a fantastic walk for you.

Buy The Thames Path Hike Guide

What does it look like?

How Long Does It Take?

As mentioned earlier, the walk covers 184 miles, so, as you can imagine, it’s no short journey.

When it comes to time frame, you have three options:

12 Day – This option is aimed at experienced hikers that have a good fitness level. To complete the walk within 12 days, you need to walk 15.3 miles per day.

14 Day – If you want to take it a little bit easier, this is a better option. For this hike, you’ll need to walk 13 miles a day.

20 Day – If you want to take your time and enjoy the sights the hike has to offer, a twenty-day hike is a great option but costs a lot of money. For this walk, you’ll have to walk a minimum of 9.2 miles per day.

Which time frame you want to choose will heavily depend on what you want to do during the hike and how much time you have on your hands.

And if you don’t feel like you’ve got the time to walk the entire 184 miles, there are enough places to jump off and get a train back to where you need to be.

How To Get There And Back?

Okay, so know what to expect on the walk and how long it will take to complete the whole journey. But how do you get there and back?

You have two options on where you can start the walk, and it depends on you.

Many people like to start at the Cotswolds and finish up in London due to the regular travel options London provides you.

If you want to start walking in the Cotswolds, the best way is to get a train to Kemble, which is super close to the Thames source.

If you’re planning to drive to the hike, you might be better starting in London, you have more parking options, but it will cost you a few quid.

The Best Time To Go

Most people claim the best months to visit are between spring and autumn. During April and May is where the wildlife is most interesting. On your way down the river, you’ll be able to see a wide range of birds while they’re finding their mates.

But…

If you’re into wildflowers, berries, and insects like butterflies or dragonflies, the time for you to go is during June and September.

Try to avoid the winter months; it can get freezing by the rivers. And due to the rain, the path can get very muddy.

Where To Stay On Your Journey

Like most of the walks in the UK, you have two options on where to stay. You can either camp or stay at a B&B/hotel.

Along the path, there’s a load of great places for you to stay without going too far off track.

While in the Cotswold, you have plenty of camping and beautiful little B&Bs for you to rest your head.

But as you start getting into London, camping becomes a bit of an issue. For that reason, you’ll have to rely more on B&Bs and hotels.

Where To Get Food And Drink Along The Way

While you’re in London, you’ll have no problems finding places to eat. It can range from street food to fancy restaurants, or you could simply go to a shop without much difficulty.

As you come out of London, you won’t be treated to the same luxury London offers.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t find exceptional places to eat in the smaller local villages the route has to offer.

You’ll find some great bars/pubs that offer traditional local grub or country restaurants that provide an authentic charm to your trip.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, the Thames Path isn’t just about offers so much more than just a city walk. It opens you up to wildlife you wouldn’t imagine seeing so close to the city.

But what’s really interesting is that you can actually see the source of the most famous river in the UK.

Pretty cool, right?

Looking for more Hiking locations in the UK?

Check out our full guides to other hikes in the UK    Hiking In The UK