Thames Path 3 Lechlade to Tadpole Bridge
Route facts
Waterways:
River Thames »
Distance: 11.18 / 18
Duration: Five hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Starts at: Riverside car park A361 Lechlade
Ends at: Tadpole Bridge near Bampton
Discover the quiet upper reaches of the River Thames with this excellently maintained riverside walk. The winding river, rich in history, passes through a delightfully secluded landscape from the picturesque town of Lechlade. With several pubs en route, the 12-mile walk from Lechlade to Tadpole Bridge is a perfect way to spend a relaxed afternoon.
If your only experience of the Thames has been the bustling waterway through London and Windsor, this section of the river will come as a remarkable surprise. It's the furthest upstream that boats can navigate, so river traffic is greatly reduced.There are few villages along the way: just miles and miles of understated countryside. This section is exceptionally rich in wildlife, and as always with the Thames, there is history at every turn.Since the Thames Path almost always sticks to the riverside, finding your way along the path is easy. The path is well signposted, using the standard National Trail 'acorn' symbol.Many improvements have been made to the path since it was opened in the 1990s, including new bridges on this section of the route. However, volunteers are always needed to help maintain this popular walk. You can find out more about volunteering, and other aspects of the path, at the official Thames Path website.The Thames can flood in rainy conditions, making the path impassable. You can get the latest situation by ringing the Environment Agency's Floodline on 08459 881188.
Getting there
Parking: There is plentiful parking at the Riverside car park, just south of Lechlade on the A361. At the other end of the walk, a layby just north of Tadpole Bridge offers free parking, and the Trout Inn has a large car park for the use of its customers.
Public transport: Public transport is infrequent on this part of the path. However, both Lechlade and Bampton (north of Tadpole Bridge) have services to Witney, where you can change buses. Call Traveline (0870 608 2 608) for details.
Waypoints
Free parking is available at the Riverside car park, just south of Lechlade on the A361 (towards Swindon). Walk across the fields to the river, and turn left along the path. Continue for half a mile until you reach a confluence of two rivers - the River Thames and River Coln. This was also the start of the Thames & Severn Canal, derelict since the 1920s but now under restoration as part of the Cotswold Canals project.
The round-houses, which provided accommodation for lock-keepers and canal lengthsmen, are unique to this Thames & Severn Canal. To the right of this one, now owned by British Waterways, are the first canal bridge and lock can be seen to the right. Walk back towards Lechlade following the south bank of the Thames, back to Ha'penny Bridge.
3. Ha penny Bridge in Lechlade
Lechlade's riverside is invariably busy with boaters. The town itself is worth exploring, with several good pubs - and, as you might expect of a Cotswold town, many antiques dealers. As you continue along the south bank of the river, you will see the first of many World War II pill-boxes along the Thames, built to reinforce this natural defence in case of invasion.
The first (or last) lock on the River Thames, St John's is noteworthy for the statue of Old Father Thames - which originally resided in Crystal Palace, London. The Trout Inn is alongside. Walk under the road bridge, and continue along the south bank of the river until you come to a new footbridge. Cross over the river, and follow the north bank to Buscot Lock.
Cross the weir on the walkway and follow the path to Buscot Lock. From here, it is almost three miles of very remote countryside to the next lock. Eaton Footbridge, after one mile, was the site of the last 'flash lock' on the river. Another half-mile further on is Kelmscott Manor, once the residence of William Morris - founder of the Arts & Crafts Movement.
Eventually, you reach Grafton Lock, one of the prettiest on this stretch of the river. Look out for the stone which marks the height to which floodwaters have risen here - then think how much of the surrounding flat countryside must have been underwater! Follow the river for a further mile to Radcot Bridge.
In fact, there are two bridges here. The lovely low, triple-arched one on the backwater is said to be the oldest on the Thames. The path follows the main navigation channel past the Swan Hotel. Be careful - there is no towpath under the bridge, so you must cross the road. Continue, now on the south side of the river, past the moored boats for almost a mile to Radcot Lock.
Past here, the river becomes inordinately windy for almost two miles to Rushey Lock. Most walkers take short-cuts across meadowland past the meanders. Curiously, this stretch seems particularly popular with joggers.
Thames lock-keepers are famous for taking pride in their gardens, but the giant frog by Rushey Lock is surely unique. Cross the river at the lock here, and walk along the north bank, following the lock-keeper's driveway as far as Tadpole Bridge and the end of our walk. The Trout Inn at Tadpole is a good place to relax after your exertions!
Other stages
Thames Path 3 Lechlade to Tadpole Bridge
Thames Path 4 Tadpole Bridge to Eynsham »
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