Trifter

The River Thames is a great English river.  Geographically, it flows from the Cotswold Hills to the Thames Estuary and the North Sea.  Culturally, it is the heart of England.  It flows through picture postcard towns and villages then reaches London, the national capital.

Today, along distance footpath runs 180 miles from the source of the Thames to the Thames Barrier.  Here are some of the highlights that can be found found from that walk.

1. The Source of the Thames

Thames Head: Source, Wikipedia

A monument marks the traditional source of the Thames Head near Cirencester in the Cotswold Hills. Although this is the start of the walk it is an unlikely source for the river. The spring is seasonal and slight. For the first few miles the Thames is a muddy trickle. Strangely, a tributary of the Thames is fourteen miles longer. The River Churn rises near Cheltenham from a permanent spring.

2. The Upper Reaches

Ashton Keynes: Source, Wikipedia

In the upper reaches the Thames passes through the pretty village of Ashton Keynes.  The arractive cottages are built from honey coloured Cotswold stone.

3. Letchlade

St John’s lock: Source Wikipedia

The Thames becomes navigable at Lechlade. St John’s lock is the highest lock on the river.

4. Oxford

Oxford University boathouses: Source Wikipedia

Th river passes through the University town of Oxford. At this point the river is still refered to by on older name, The Isis.  East of Oxford the river Thame joins The Isis forming the Thame-Isis, or River Thames.

5. Abingdon

 Beyond Oxford, the river broadens and passes through historic towns with ancient bridges.

6. The Goring Gap

The Goring Gap: Source: Wikipedia

At Goring, the River Thames cuts through the Chiltern Hills. Geologists believe that until half a million years ago the River Thames flowed through Hertfordshire, Essex and the Blackwater Estuary.  At the height of the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago, when sea levels were much lower, the Thames joined with the Rhine and fllowed as a “super river” down the line of the English Channel into the Atlantic. When ice blocked the path of the Thames through Hetfordshire the waters forced a new path through the Chiltern Hills.

7. Henley

Henley: Source: Wikipedia

The towns beyond Reading are home to affluent commuters; London is now within easy reach by train. Henley is famous for rowing and the annual regatta which is regarded as a higlight of the English social calendar.

8. The Lock at Bray

The Thames continues through affluent and picturesquee settlements.

8. Windsor

At Windsor, the river passes close to the Royal Place. The Royal Standard is flying, indicating that Her Majesty is at home.

9. Teddington Lock

At Teddington the river becomes tidal.  The waters in London are a brackish mix of fresh and salt water.