This past year I walked about 100miles of the Camino Frances in Spain with a friend. We are planning to do another walk in September and we're considering the Thames National Trail again traveling about 100 miles. Our hope is to walk through hamlets, small villages, rural countryside. We don't want to walk on lots of city streets or in real populated areas. Anyone know this trail and suggest a portion of it OR another trail in England. Thanks for any thoughts.
Karen
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Try these two websites.
The official Thames path website: http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thames-path
And an unofficial one: http://www.thames-path.org.uk/
So long as you start west of London (say Windsor) you will avoid the London sprawl.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16333 posts
I was posting a long response and lost it! To summarize, as Chris already posted some of the information, the Thames path is one of 15-16 long distance National Trails in the UK. We have walked sections of some, including the Thames path! but not for multiple days.
I would say it is a good choice if you want a level walk on a well-developed (often paved) riverside path through pretty villages, some larger towns like Oxford, and rural stretches through meadows or marsh. You will meet lots of dog walkers near the towns and villages, and cyclists everywhere. Locks and riverboats make for interesting scenery, and there are lots of pubs and lodging options. Lots of history too.
There are good guidebooks and maps available. If I were doing this one, I would start well upstream and go no closer to London than Windsor.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2776 posts
Of you want to walk 100 miles, through hamlets, small villages and rural countryside the Cotswolds Way National Trail is everything you want. It's 102 miles, you will walk through sheep fields, cow fields, golf course, corn fields, hamlets and beautiful quaint villages. We started in Chipping Campden and ended in Bath. A friend and I walked it a year ago,such beautiful views that no one can see unless you are walking the trail.
The Thames National Trail is 180 miles, but of course you can start your walk along the trail, and stop any where you want.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
671 posts
Last year we did a 4-day walk to/from Bath. Part of that time (outside Castle Combe) we were on the Macmillan Way which is a fairly extensive trail (http://www.macmillanway.org/). We used Cotswold Walks (http://www.cotswoldwalks.com/) to arrange the walk. The customer service and support were wonderful.
Posted by
Seattle
110 posts
Of all the national trails, this one appears to be the most urban.
It's out of the way, but if you're wanting about 100 miles through rural and rolling hills, had you considered Hadrian's Wall? Wife and I are planning to do this in one of our future trips to England.