8 Days & 7 Nights

4.6

Thames Path West - The Cotswolds (8 Days & 7 Nights)

Walk the Thames Path West through the Cotswolds into the city of Oxford
Tranquil landscapes of meadows, fields, woodlands and river banks
Follow the Thames as it turns from a stream to a wide river
Finish your walk in Oxford, one of the world’s most famous university cities
Walk through the Cotswolds an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Walk England’s Thames Path West through the Cotswolds, where it originates, into one of the world’s most historic university cities, Oxford. On this stretch of the Thames Path, a National Trail, you will experience classically British rural landscapes; meadows, woodland and unspoilt villages, some of which display the honey-coloured stone atypical of the Cotswolds. As John Elliott Burns (1858-1943) said, “The Thames is liquid history”. It has inspired authors, poets and painters alike and you can contemplate life and relax whilst walking through serene countryside enjoying lunches in cosy pubs.

From $1,759.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Cirencester & overnight

The attractive market town of Cirencester is about 4 miles from the source of the River Thames and has plenty of facilities, so is the best place to have your first overnight stay. There is no train station in Cirencester so we recommend taking a taxi from nearby Kemble (10min) which is easily accessible and only a 1h 15min train ride from central London. The following morning you will be taken by taxi to the start of the walk at the source of the Thames. Take a wander round the "capital of the Cotswolds" when you arrive before enjoying dinner in one of the many local restaurants.

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Cotswold Hare | Bed and breakfast

The Cotswold Hare, formerly The Old Bungalow Guest House, offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Cirencester, situated just a few minutes walk from the centre of this historic market town. Kathleen offers a warm welcome, relaxing atmosphere and comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation in our 7 en-suite rooms (3 of which are located on the ground floor).

The Ivy House Bed & Breakfast | Bed and breakfast

Built in 1870, The Ivy House is a warm and welcoming bed and breakfast located in the centre of Cirencester. You will be sure of a warm welcome from Paul and Sue.

The Old Brewhouse | Bed and breakfast

The Old Brewhouse in Cirencester is a delightful 17th Century town house bed and breakfast full of charm and character, sympathetically restored and refurbished offering high quality bed and breakfast accommodation.

Day 2 Thames Head to Ashton Keynes 7 miles / 12 km

Walk in the serene Cotswolds as you pass through the small hamlet of Ewen. At first there is no water to be seen but you soon pass the Lyd Well, the spring from where the Thames first shows itself. Keep following the trail till you arrive in Ashton Keynes.

Overnight Ashton Keynes

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Long House | Bed and breakfast

This B&B accommodation is set in a distinctive Grade 2 listed house dating back to the 17th century. Ideally situated on the Thames Path in the picturesque Cotswold village of Ashton Keynes. The 4 guests bedrooms have complimentary tea and coffee making facilities.

Wheatley’s Farm B&B | Bed and breakfast

Wheatley’s Farm B&B is located on the edge of Ashton Keynes Village, one of the first on the Thames Path. Guests are welcome to use the garden to enjoy afternoon tea, relax with a favourite book, or watch the sun set with a drink in the evening. There are two spacious and comfortable rooms.

Day 3 Ashton Keyes To Cricklade 5 miles / 8 km

Today the trail wanders through meadows passing from the county of Gloucestershire into Wiltshire. Crickdale is your destination where Alfred the Great fortified the town against the Danes.

Overnight Cricklade

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

White Hart Hotel | Hotel

The White Hart is located in the centre of Crickdale and offers 14 newly refurbished en-suite rooms, along with home-cooked food in their warm and friendly bar.

Red Lion Inn | Inn

The Red Lion Inn is situated just off the Thames path as it passes through historic Cricklade. The pub dates back to the early 1600s and has 5 newly decorated en-suite bedrooms. You can eat dinner here or in the town where there is plenty of options.

Old Bear Inn | Inn

The Old Bear Inn is a traditional country inn located in the centre of Cricklade. The accommodation is located in a converted barn and has all the amenities you require for a comfortable overnight stay. For breakfast, you can have a traditional English, continental or vegetarian breakfast upon request. All breakfasts come with handcrafted artisan bread. There is a courtyard where you will be able sit and enjoy the weather during the summer months.

Day 4 Cricklade to Lechlade 11 miles / 18 km

This stage strays away from the river but you will still be walking through meadows and along country lanes. Arriving into Lechlade, an overnight stop, you will see many boats on the river as it used to be a bustling port, Nowadays it is a pretty market town with lots of facilities.

Overnight Lechlade

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Swan Inn | Inn

The Swan Inn is a family run, traditional 16th Century pub with rooms in Lechlade. Debbie, Stuart and all the team offer a very warm welcome to all who visit this area with all its country charm and atmosphere. Located above the pub, the rooms at The Swan Inn have all the facilities required for a relaxing stay. Each room is en-suite with a shower and comes complete with a TV and tea and coffee making facilities. The local shops, pubs and restaurants of Lechlade are within a 5 minute walk. Food is served every day. The menu is varied with all dishes home made on the premises with locally sourced ingredients where available. As the food is freshly made then any changes or allergies can be accommodated where possible.

The New Inn Hotel | Hotel

The New Inn Hotel is ideally situated on the banks of the River Thames in the market town of Lechlade-on-Thames. It has a traditional bar where you can relax by the log fire. The hotel also boasts an A la Carte restaurant which serves a wide variety of sumptuous dishes. Each of their thirty bedrooms are furnished with Sky TV, wireless internet, tea and coffee making facilities, access to an ironing board and en-suite bath or shower room.

Highway Inn | Inn

Situated in Burford, Gateway to the Cotswolds, the Highway is steeped in history and offers the warm welcome of a traditional English pub with today’s comfortable modern touches. This 15^th century coaching Inn is run by a team who are passionate about good food and good service and it is open every day for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Drinks. The bedrooms are individually decorated in a modern English country house style with a mixture of designer fabrics and traditional wallpapers.

Day 5 Lechlade to Tadpole Bridge 10 miles / 16 km

During this section of the Thames Path the river widens and becomes a lot bigger, but it is also the most isolated part of the trail. Your only companions here are the swans on the river which makes for very tranquil walking. From Lechlade the river becomes navigable so you will see quite a number of locks en route. Pass through the charming village of Buscot and at Radcot see the oldest bridge on the Thames with its Gothic arches.

Overnight Tadpole Bridge

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Trout Inn | Inn

Steeped in history yet with a thoroughly contemporary twist, The Trout Inn is a 17th century pub that provides a truly special setting to stay, dine and drink. With its stylish interiors, distinctive features, and links to literacy and historic greats such as Lewis Carroll, Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse, Rosamund the Fair, and King Henry II, this inn will open your eyes to a world of fascinating history and culture. Eat in their lovely restaurant this evening. Free Wifi and full breakfast.

Day 6 Tadpole Bridge to Newbridge 6 miles / 10 km

Today you get back on the trail and pass through Shifford Loch before reaching Newbridge. This town has the second oldest bridge, which was originally built by monks to carry Cotswolds wool over the river, and is your overnight stop for the day.

Overnight Newbridge

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Rose Revived | Inn

Located right next to the river, this accommodation has nicely decorated and comfortable rooms. There are 7 rooms, free Wifi and a cooked breakfast. 2 of the rooms have a river view. You will be warmly welcomed.

The Ferryman Inn | Inn

The Ferryman Inn has 6 bedrooms to offer, all with access to a large balcony area with seating overlooking the river Thames. All the bedrooms have been recently refurbished and each room has an en suite shower, tea/coffee facilities and TV as well as free Wi-fi.

The Trout Inn | Inn

Day 7 Newbridge to Oxford 13 miles / 22 km

Leaving Newbridge the path continues to follow the river closely. At Bablock Hythe (once an important crossing point between Oxford and the West Country), the path now diverts away from the river next to Wytham Woods. Pass nearby Godstow Abbey, built in 1133, the outer walls and the remains of the abbess’s chapel are the only parts still standing. Pass a few more locks with magnificent city of Oxford now in the distance.

Oxford is one of the world’s most famous university cities, the oldest colleges dating back to 1300. The university buildings are scattered throughout the city, generally honey-coloured and very elegant. This evening explore its narrow cobbled streets and tranquil courtyards. Restaurants and pubs are plentiful and this evening you can enjoy their ambience.

Overnight Oxford

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ethos Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

Situated in a quiet neighbourhood, yet walking distance to the city centre, Ethos Hotel has the largest guest rooms in Oxford. Their restaurant, Caffè Ethos, serves full English breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, dinner, and afternoon high tea. Their fully licensed bar and wine sommelier curates the best of Oxford Wine Company wines and local real ales. Espresso drinks brewed to perfection and complimentary snacks for hotel guests make us a favorite among locals and visitors.

Newton House | Guest House

Newton House is conveniently located, just a short walk from Oxford's historic and vibrant centre. Newton House is a three-star Victorian townhouse which has been recently refurbished, each room with its own contemporary colour scheme and furnishings.

Keble College | Hotel

A true Oxford experience. Stay at Keble College, the University of Oxford, for a unique stay where a cooked breakfast is served in their magnificent neo-Gothic dining hall. Keble College was founded in 1870 and is one of Oxford's architectural landmarks located in the heart of the City. You'll get to venture behind the famous college walls and stay as a guest. Although rooms are a little more basic, they are comfortable and come with your usual B&B facilities; nice linen, towels, toiletries, free Wi-Fi and tea & coffee making facilities. A stay here is all about the experience, staying on the spectacular college grounds and dining in Oxford's longest hall. It's only available during the summer months, and we recommend booking early should you wish to secure a unique stay here.

Day 8 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 10kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 10kg is equivalent to 18 lattes. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

The Thames Path West, the first section of this National Trail, takes you through pastoral landscapes of the Cotswolds and into the elegant university city of Oxford. If you would like to walk the first part of this easy to moderately rated trail (perhaps walking the other sections another time) then you should definitely book this tour!

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Long-Distance Trails

Activity Level & Terrain

The Thames Path is a walk of contrasting terrain, from countryside trails and small country roads to towpaths, riverside paths, plus some city streets, the further into London you get. Due to the flat nature of the area, it sometimes can be prone to waterlogged and boggy paths after any prolonged rainfall.

Please note that depending on where you spend the night, the distances may be at times more or less than listed every day. So please be prepared for longer or shorter walks than listed when necessary. Also, the distances listed may not be exactly the same as in the notes as different gps units do not measure the distances the same (its not an exact science).

Experience & Fitness

Graded Easy to Moderate, the tour for the most part is easy-going walking alongside the Thames river with little to no elevation gains.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

Overnights in B&B’s, guesthouses, inns, hotels & pubs with rooms
Breakfasts
Luggage transfers
Detailed Information Pack
Access to the GPX tracks via the Macs Smartphone App
24/7 telephone support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel to Kemble
Travel from Oxford
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Taxi transfers or public transport should you wish to skip a stage
Travel Insurance
Personal Equipment

Extras

Extra nights

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

Flooding and Diversions on the Thames path

The Thames Path is set in a relatively flat location of South east England therefore can be prone to flooding in early spring, during prolonged rainfall or bad weather – this may mean sections of the Thames path (in particular the west section) can become waterlogged or boggy, making progress significantly slower – in extreme cases it may make the path’s impassable. If any section is particularly bad over time, the local authorities will close it off and create a diversion. No matter what year you are due to walk the Thames Path you are likely to find some minor diversions in place (normally this will be a logical path that skirts around the effected section). If there are any major diversions in place, the Macs Adventure team will reach out to you to let you know.

We recommend checking the interactive map on the official trail website that shows the up-to-date trail diversions: https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/thames-path/trail-information/

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a daypack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.