T“There is no river in the world to be compared for majesty and the witchery of association to the Thames.” – Hume Nisbet
Embark on a serene and picturesque walking vacation along the iconic River Thames, flowing from its tranquil source in the Cotswolds through sunlit meadows and charming villages to the historic city of Oxford and beyond.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a tranquil escape, this Thames River walking vacation offers a harmonious blend of beauty, heritage, and leisure.
This is our most leisurely walk, a relaxing riverside adventure, following gentle paths through idyllic countryside. Yet the Thames’ rich history and cultural heritage provide endless fascination, from Roman settlements to famous literary and film locations.
Discover Roman Cirencester, an ancient market town, once a bustling Roman settlement. Stroll through picture-perfect Bibury, admire Oxford’s “Dreaming Spires”, and experience the quintessential English charm of Henley-on-Thames, home to the prestigious Henley Rowing Regatta and the inspiration behind Wind in the Willows.
Savor a delicious lunch at the famous Trout Inn, a beloved haunt of Inspector Morse. Enjoy punting on the tranquil Cherwell River and wander through the elegant Cliveden gardens.
Meet at Kemble railway station in the Cotswolds, and transfer to the beautiful Kings Head Hotel in Cirencester, an historic Roman town known as ‘The capital of the Cotswolds’. We’ll gather this evening for our Welcome Dinner.
Cirencester, Kings Head
Today we head out of town to find the source of the Thames. We’ll follow the Thames Path to a pub in Somerford Keynes for lunch, then return to the hotel with time to explore this ancient town, or as an option, a visit a nearby Roman Villa. Dinner tonight is in a restaurant in Cirencester.
Cirencester, Kings Head
This morning we take a short drive to idyllic Bibury from where we walk through gentle meadows and woodlands to arrive in Coln St Aldwyn for a well-earned break in the local tea rooms. We then walk on through open fields and farmland to find our pub for a late lunch. In the afternoon we return to our hotel. Dinner tonight is in The Boot in Barnsley.
Cirencester, Kings Head
Leaving Cirencester we drive to Buscot from where we walk along the Thames path until we cross the historic Halfpenny Bridge as we enter the beautiful market town of Lechlade-on-Thames. Here we have time to browse local shops and have a coffee break before rejoining our transport for the transfer to Oxford where we have lunch overlooking the river at Cherwell. After lunch, we take to the water on chauffer-piloted punts! On return, we walk through Oxford to our hotel. This evening we dine as guests with a local family with close ties to the University.
Oxford, Old Parsonage
Today we’ll start with a guided walking tour of Oxford. We then follow the Thames out of town towards Wolvercote for lunch at the Trout, a pub on the river known to be a favourite of writers Colin Dexter (Inspector Morse) and Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland). See Oxford’s famous spires as we walk from historic Port Meadow. Watch out for the grazing horses! Then take a short transfer into Henley-on-Thames, the location of the Royal Regatta where we learn about the river and Henley’s rowing traditions. This is the spot that inspired “Wind in the Willows”, one of England’s best loved children’s stories. Walk into Henley to explore the market town before arriving at our next hotel. We’ll enjoy a champagne cruise on the Thames before dinner.
Henley-on-Thames, Hotel du Vin
After a talk from a rower at the historic Leander Rowing Club, we depart once more on the Thames Path to Hambleden, a picturesque village often used as a film location for movies and TV. We’ll tour the village with a local resident who joins us for lunch at the Stag and Huntsman pub. Afterwards, we head off to Cliveden where we explore the estate and gardens before returning to Henley for our Farewell Dinner at the Leander Rowing Club.
Henley-on-Thames, Hotel du Vin
After breakfast, Wayfaring Walks can transfer you to either Twyford Rail station or Heathrow Airport.
I quite liked the Old Parsonage at Oxford. Liked all the original artworks, also the food was very good there. But all the meals we had were really good. Appreciated the various talks we had. Lovely scenery and architecture – took many photos. Route was very walkable and the amount of walking per day was also very manageable.