The Upper Thames from its source in the Cotswolds downstream to elegant Henley includes a great variety of landscapes. From remote and wild pasture meadows to the steeply wooded Chiltern slopes the river threads its way through sleepy rural villages and through the heart of bustling historic towns such as Oxford and Henley. With our long experience of the river's passage, we have created this tour to include all the variety on offer but none of the repetition. There's a choice of luxury hotel stays or characterful inns.
Much of the route is along the Thames Path, but occasionally we will take you along infinitely preferable bridleways which are closer to the river and notably prettier. We have made sure you will have time to discover all the Upper Thames has to offer including the stunning delights of Oxford and a short river boat hop from there to Abingdon. The tour is such a great way to discover the sights, sounds and smells of quintessential England as the river threads its way through history while water meadows, old inns, wildlife and weirs lead you serenely on your adventure.
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
-
from £1,725 per person
- Luxury
-
from £2,575 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
What’s included?
Transfers where specified and boat trip in July and August. Guide Book with OS Maps. See what’s included as standard
Duration
7 nights or 13 if combined with our Thames Path from Henley to London trip
Start & Finish
Starts Tuesdays from Kemble or Cirencester. Finishes Henley. Both overnight stays are a short taxi ride from the mainline station of Kemble which is 1.25 hours from Paddington, London. Henley is 1 hour from London by train
Hotels
- Classic
-
Centrally located hand picked hotels and inns
- Luxury
-
One 5 star three 4 star and two 3 star hotels and inns dating from the 13th to 17th Century
Holiday type
Self-guided
This tour is priced without a guide and you are free to explore on your own. If you would like a guide for part or all of your trip, we are happy to provide a knowledgeable, local guide
Activity level
Not so gentle walking. More info...
Mileage
7 days of walking 6 - 15 miles (10 - 24 km) per day
Terrain
More or less flat
Options
- Additional nights in Cirencester, Oxford or Henley
- Follow the entire river to London by adding our Walk The Thames Path from Henley to London. 13 nights in total
- Upgrade the luxury trip for a tip top collection of hotels.
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
-
1. Day one
Arrive Kemble
Arrive in Kemble close to Cirencester where a warm welcome awaits you at your accommodation. Take a short walk along the trickling waterway if you wish, to the source of the Thames River and its headstone for a photo call to mark the start of your adventure. Your host will meet you either this evening or tomorrow morning to welcome you and run through your itinerary.
Optional 1.3 miles (2 km)
-
2. Day two
Ewen to Cricklade
We will transfer you to the start of your walk in Ewen heading for Cricklade. Amble along the Thames Path beside the fledging waterway which here is a mere trickle. The route includes several lakes, idyllic meadows and some very pretty villages and willow lined paths. Cricklade - described as the first town on the Thames, dates from the 9th Century and your overnight stay is in an ancient inn in the heart of the town.
12 miles (19 km)
-
3. Day three
Cricklade to Kelmscott
This section of the river is often remote, very quiet and immensely beautiful with some gentle folds in the landscape and the occasional village. The market town of Lechlade breaks the silence. It marks the upstream limit of navigation today and is a characterful place known for its antique shops. Just beyond lies the lovely hamlet of Kelmscott where you will stay the night. William Morris spent many summers here in the manor house as it's such an idyllic spot.
15 miles (24 km)
-
4. Day four
Kelmscott to Oxford
This morning we will transfer you to Eynsham, a typical Cotswold village not far from Oxford. From here you will have the pleasure of walking towards the dreaming spires of Oxford through the extensive wild meadows which lead virtually into the heart of this historic city and to your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the splendid university colleges and take in a museum or two and some of the charming Oxford lanes and alleyways.
7 miles (11 km) walking and a transfer of 40 minutes by road
-
5. Day five
Oxford to Dorchester
In July and August only, enjoy the luxury of a short 2 hour river boat trip first thing in the morning to the market town of Abingdon where you disembark. At other times we transfer by road to Abingdon. Take time to explore this ancient town before meandering on along the peaceful river bank, fragrant with the scent of meadow sweet in the summer. There are the two very pretty villages of Culham and Sutton Courtenay to enjoy before you reach Dorchester on Thames with its half timbered houses and thatched cottages. Your overnight stay is in an old coaching inn in the town.
11 miles (18 km) walking with a boat ride of 2 hours or a taxi transfer
-
6. Day six
Dorchester to Pangbourne
After breakfast, we will transfer you to Wallingford, the neighbouring market town downstream of Dorchester. This is another charming country town well worth exploring before you ramble on. The river scene is very rural counting tiny ancient hamlets, water meadows and splendid weirs along the way. As you approach the villages of Goring and Streatley, straddled either side of the river and home to several notable novelists, the scene shifts for here the Thames starts to cut dramatically down through the beech clad slopes of the Chiltern hills. Walking through the woods you have fine views of the river from the cliff before crossing the tollbridge and reaching Pangbourne for a well earned rest.
11 miles (18 km) walking with a 20 minutes transfer by road
-
7. Day seven
Pangbourne to Henley
Your final day of walking is full of variety. Following a riverside bridleway you will pass a vineyard and idyllic Mapledurham House nestled at the foot of the Chilterns. This is such a beautiful reach that leads on to the wide meadows through Reading and to Sonning - described by some as the prettiest village on the Thames. The final stretch into elegant Henley takes in weirs, locks and the River Museum. Famed for its annual rowing regatta, Henley is a fitting finale for this walk and your overnight stay is in the heart of the town.
16 miles (26 km)
-
8. Day eight
Depart Henley
Take time to explore Henley today as it offers a wonderful riverside location with waterside cafes, boats galore and interesting shops. Depart at your leisure.
Luxury
-
1. Day one
Arrive Cirencester
Arrive in the Cotswold capital of Cirencester. A warm welcome awaits you at the elegant Boutique Hotel in the heart of this historic town. If you have time, we will transfer you to a nearby hamlet so that you can take a short walk along the trickling waterway, to the source of the Thames River and its headstone for a photo call to mark the start of your adventure. Your host will meet you either this evening or tomorrow morning to welcome you and run through your itinerary.
Optional 1.3 miles (2 km)
-
2. Day two
Ewen to Cricklade
We will transfer you to the start of your walk in Ewen heading for Cricklade. Amble along the Thames Path beside the fledging waterway which here is a mere trickle. The route includes several lakes, idyllic meadows and some very pretty villages and willow lined paths. Cricklade - described as the first town on the Thames, dates from the 9th Century and we meet you here to transfer you to the manor house in Clanfield, your hotel for the next 2 nights where your luggage will be waiting for you.
9 miles (14 km)
-
3. Day three
Cricklade to Kelmscott
Continuing on from Cricklade, this section of the river is often remote, very quiet and immensely beautiful with some gentle folds in the landscape and the occasional village. The market town of Lechlade breaks the silence. It marks the upstream limit of navigation today and is a characterful place known for its antique shops. Just beyond lies the lovely hamlet of Kelmscott. William Morris spent many summers here in the manor house as it's such an idyllic spot. A short transfer takes you to your hotel in Clanfield.
15 miles (24 km)
-
4. Day four
Clanfield to Oxford
This morning we will transfer you to Eynsham, a typical Cotswold village not far from Oxford. From here you will have the pleasure of walking towards the dreaming spires of Oxford through the extensive wild meadows which lead virtually into the heart of this historic city and to your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the splendid university colleges and take in a museum or two and some of the charming Oxford lanes and alleyways.
7 miles (11 km) walking and a transfer of 40 minutes by road
-
5. Day five
Oxford to Dorchester
In July and August only, enjoy the luxury of a short 2 hour river boat trip first thing in the morning to the market town of Abingdon where you disembark. At other times we transfer by road to Abingdon. Take time to explore this ancient town before meandering on along the peaceful river bank, fragrant with the scent of meadow sweet in the summer. There are the two very pretty villages of Culham and Sutton Courtenay to enjoy before you reach Dorchester on Thames with its half timbered houses and thatched cottages. Your overnight stay is in an old coaching inn in the town.
11 miles (18 km) walking with a boat ride of 2 hours or a taxi transfer
-
6. Day six
Dorchester to Pangbourne
After breakfast, we will transfer you to Wallingford, the neighbouring market town downstream of Dorchester. This is another charming country town well worth exploring before you ramble on. The river scene is very rural counting tiny ancient hamlets, water meadows and splendid weirs along the way. As you approach the villages of Goring and Streatley, straddled either side of the river and home to several notable novelists, the scene shifts for here the Thames starts to cut dramatically down through the beech clad slopes of the Chiltern hills. Walking through the woods you have fine views of the river from the cliff before crossing the tollbridge and reaching Pangbourne for a well earned rest.
11 miles (18 km) walking with a 20 minutes transfer by road
-
7. Day seven
Pangbourne to Henley
Your final day of walking is full of variety. Following a riverside bridleway you will pass a vineyard and idyllic Mapledurham House nestled at the foot of the Chilterns. This is such a beautiful reach that leads on to the wide meadows through Reading and to Sonning - described by some as the prettiest village on the Thames. The final stretch into elegant Henley takes in weirs, locks and the River Museum. Famed for its annual rowing regatta, Henley is a fitting finale for this walk and your overnight stay is in the heart of the town.
16 miles (26 km)
-
8. Day eight
Depart Henley
Take time to explore Henley today as it offers a wonderful riverside location with waterside cafes, boats galore and interesting shops. Depart at your leisure.