Thames Path - Abingdon to Oxford (★★★☆☆)

Today was my final of five days spent walking along the River Thames - I had set out from Weybridge four days prior, and today I would be walking the last section from Abingdon to Oxford. This followed on from a previous day walking from Goring to Abingdon.

The day started by heading through Abingdon to meet back up with the Thames - passing through the arrival of a fun fair on the way.

The initial walk out of Abingdon is a bit of a mud fest - and as you head past Abingdon Lock it may be worth diverting slightly off the main path of the Thames Path, to follow the parallel cycle route as far as a cut down (before a small pond on the map) if it is wet, to avoid the muddy struggle I am enjoying today.

This muddy trip out of Abingdon continues on for some distance - not helped by the covering of the trees - but having passed under the railway line the going starts to get better, as the route heads more out across open fields on the left hand side.

And gradually the path shifts from something that is quite poor for walking, to something much more navigable.

Heading out towards Radley

And as we start to close in on Radley, the general scenery also starts to improve - and at Radley itself we get to acquaint ourselves with that favored Oxford pastime, of rowing.

The Thames while passing Radley

From here the path continues to be fairly muddy in places, but the overall route continues to improve further, as it continues to head northwards up towards Sandford Lock - which is the highlight of this stretch of river.

Crossing over to Sandford Lock

Looking back at Sandford Lock

He we find another diversion that instructs us to turn left rather than crossing over to Sandford Lock - but since it is obvious that this is the pretty bit of this river, I instead continue on up the intended route of the Thames Path to the closed bridge - and then turn around and head back again to join the diversion.

The diversion is not too bad as it makes use of a nearby cycle route, but by the time I rejoin the path Sandford is a forgotten memory - and the path heads under a number of bridges, as everything starts to get busy around me - with cyclists, walkers, joggers and rowing boats all over the place.

By this point we are already on the outskirts of Oxford - although there is still a fairly long meandering run through the city ahead. 

But passing New Hinksey on the left, we begin the final approach towards the core of the city.

On the approach to Oxford

Up ahead walkers along this path have a bit of a decision to make though. 

You can continue on along the Thames Path that bends west, before heading north along the edge of the city centre - else, as you pass Grandpont you can head over the bridge and go explore the historic parts of town. 

This second alternative leaves the route of the Thames Path, but does offer a chance to explore the historic parts of the city instead.

Had I not been on the fifth day of walking, I probably would be cutting up on the northerly route and then spending some time exploring the old parts of the city. 

But as it is, I faithfully continue along the Thames Path - noting that this is also a fairly direct route to the train station, and my train home. And by this point, I am ready for that train.

And so it is that I head over the road at the bridge at Grandpont, and continue on along the River Thames.

An old building at Grandpont

The path along the Thames maintains a very rural feel through the city

The river feels a bit of an oddity for a water course running through a major city, but what you have to remember is that it was the Oxford Canal which acted as the major transport route from Oxford onwards, and not this route along the River Thames.

The core route for traffic used to be to head down from the Midlands, along the Oxford Canal, and then along the Thames from Oxford to London. Although this navigation route was overtaken by a faster alternative offered up by the Grand Union canal from 1805.

That meant that most traffic coming up from London had already diverted off the River Thames before we headed under the railway, and so this section is more of a backwater of the River Thames.

But this does at least make for a peaceful end to these five days of walking, continuing on along the quiet river side to Osney, where the bridge ahead marks the end of my trip along the Thames Path for now.

The river at Osney

The River Thames does of course continue onwards, and the Thames Path runs for a further 54 miles up to its source near Cirencester - on the edge of the Cotswolds.

I hadn't planned to do any further walking along the Thames, but I have been tempted by this section - and in particular by this change in character after passing the join with the Oxford Canal.

The final section up to the source of the Thames is the most challenging from an organisational perspective, as it heads through very empty countryside, but at this point I'm keen to see how the river evolves as it almost makes it's way across to the Bristol Channel.

Total Distance: 10.7 miles (9.5 miles on the Thames Path)

Total Ascent: 99 feet (89 feet on the Thames Path)

Note that I have adjusted the distances to assume a walk with no diversions (these added a small amoutn of additional walking).

Enjoyment Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ ★ ★ / 5

Disclaimer: This writeup provides a narrative of what to expect rather than a route guide to follow. The route is covered by the 164 OS Landranger map - while there is also a Thames Path guidebook which includes OS mapping (links redirect to Amazon). The route is in general well way-marked.