First step in planning walking The Thames when I retire in March, anyone want to join me or have any tips if you've already done all or part of it? Thanks. 
Walking The Thames
- Thread starter Ginster
- Start date
denisejoe
LIFE MEMBER
Not mastered walking on water yet working my way up to it
phillipsheila
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- Jun 23, 2020
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cmcardle75
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Don't forget to read in advance about the places you'll visit, to make them more meaningful. I'd start with "Three Men in a Boat".
OP
OP
Jokers one and all 
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Which way are you going? Are you starting at Source or at the Thames Estuary.
I started this last year at the source and am as far as Oxford. Some beautiful scenery. The Source is but a trickle and for a long way it's barely a stream.
I'm also in the process of walking the South West Coast Path and have done just over 100 of the 600 (odd) miles) I've got from Minehead to Hartland Quay (just outside of Bude). That's also beautiful but also very challenging !
I started this last year at the source and am as far as Oxford. Some beautiful scenery. The Source is but a trickle and for a long way it's barely a stream.
I'm also in the process of walking the South West Coast Path and have done just over 100 of the 600 (odd) miles) I've got from Minehead to Hartland Quay (just outside of Bude). That's also beautiful but also very challenging !
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
How are planning to do it? The easy option is using a company which organises everything including moving your luggage so you don't have to carry it.
The other end of the scale is doing it self-supported with loops every day to get back to your transport.
The other end of the scale is doing it self-supported with loops every day to get back to your transport.
OP
OP
Hi Rachelc, planning to start at the source although, as there seems to be very little transport from campsite to River, I'm thinking of doing the first few miles in day trips from home in Weston-super-Mare.
Ginnie
I think that gets better after Oxford though. Lechlade is worth an overnight stop, some nice pubs there and Cricklade is also nice!
I've got family in Pangbourne, it's beautiful there, also would be good for an overnighter when you get that far.
I've got family in Pangbourne, it's beautiful there, also would be good for an overnighter when you get that far.
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I’ve fished most of it along the way.... and most of it a lovely place to see.. good luck..
OP
OP
Look at pub stops along its way, lots of river side pubs will let you stay in their carparks overnight for the price of a well earned pint...
OP
OP
Amazing, Pm me your dates after Oxford I might join you for a stretch!
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OP
OP
I’ve fished most of it along the way.... and most of it a lovely place to see.. good luck..
Read that as finished, not fished 
doh!
cmcardle75
LIFE MEMBER
It is quite easy to pack light enough to just hike with your tent on your back. If you're planning to eat out (no shortage of pubs near the river!) it is even easier. No need for taxis or convoluted transport arrangements at all.
OP
OP
Great, will do
glenn2926
Free Member
Sorry no, it’s not for me. I prefer the northern areas. Fewer people, fewer buildings, fewer vehicles. I also like mountain walking.
OP
OP
What's a tent?
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I'd love to do it that way tbh but can't spare the 2 weeks, and I don't think my kids would take kindly to 2 weeks of walking!
I'm full of admiration for people who do the South West Coast Path in one go, that's my dream!
OP
OP
Each to his own, might try mountains one day
Have you looked at the South West Coast path? Not the north granted but very undulating and challenging in parts.
glenn2926
Free Member
I have, it’s slightly lumpy.
When I walked the pennine way and the Pembrokeshire coast path with my father in the late sixties early seventies the big problem we had was the weight we carried.
Having the motorhome now I realise it would have been so much easier if we could have been met in the evenings to provide overnight accommodation. I have put this to management but it didn’t come to anything. Perhaps long distance walks are past me at 65 with knackered joints.
Having the motorhome now I realise it would have been so much easier if we could have been met in the evenings to provide overnight accommodation. I have put this to management but it didn’t come to anything. Perhaps long distance walks are past me at 65 with knackered joints.
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Well that's one way of describing it! LOL!
glenn2926
Free Member
Not a bit of it. You’ve years of long distance walking in you yet. I work (usually as a medic) on the fellsman hike at the end of April ish. 61 miles over 24 peaks in 24 hours. There are a good few Octogenarian walkers taking part.
I’m trying to sort out doing a long ish walk with my brother next year. Maybe West highland way. Hope we can one day get back to this sort of thing but holding my breath. The days of this sort of thing may gone forever.
Lucky you to live there, absolutely beautiful spot.
cmcardle75
LIFE MEMBER
What's a tent?
Well half the pubs are inns. Even less on your back if you're going to both sleep and eat in the pubs. No taxis, looking up bus/train timetables, etc. Although you need to know your average speed to make bookings in advance. I've lived in and about Reading most of my life. Some of my favorite stretches of Thames are the section west of Pangbourne and that between Henley and just east of Hurley.
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