Cover photo: St Michael’s Church and Pope’s Tower, Stanton Harcourt
Good news! Some weeks ago we added an interactive map version of our route planner. We have now created a separate version but without the requirement to select accommodation. This allows you to browse the maps at leisure.
We have also added an inset in the corner of the map to show the general direction of the river for context. We hope you will find this helpful.
Open for Business
Dorney Court re-opens this coming Saturday. Dorney Court is a Tudor manor house built around 1440. It has been in the Palmer family since 1542. The house has been used as a location for a host of films including Sliding Doors (1998), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), and The Personal History of David Copperfield (2020). It lies 0.7 miles from the river between Maidenhead and Windsor.
And public transport can now be used for leisure activities. Check out our website for details of how public transport along the Thames Path.
Accommodation Updates:
We’ve added two new bed and breakfasts this week:
First up is The Cottage in Brighthampton. Although it lies 2 miles from Newbridge, a lift to and from The Cottage is included in the price. Wiithin our Bronze package, it provides an affordable alternative to the Rose Revived.
We’ve also signed up Manor Farm in Kelmscott. This is a 17th century farmhouse in the Cotswold village that William Morris so loved. This B&B is also in our Bronze package. Breakfast is served with home produce. Meals can be taken at The Plough in the village.
Events
From Monday August 3, Southwark Cathedral will be unveiling a newly commissioned statue of its most famous parishioner: William Shakespeare. The piece was made by Raphael Maklouf.
The Cathedral, standing on the right bank of the Thames almost directly opposite St Paul’s is often overlooked but lies just 100m from the river close to London Bridge. Dating back to mediaeval times, it now serves the Anglican communities of south London. Shakespeare, of course, ran his famous theatre nearby, a replica of which, the Globe, now puts on his plays regularly.
The Thames Festival Trust have announced a program of events entitled Totally Thames 2020, a varied program that will run throughout September with events at various points in the capital. More to follow.
Route News
The footbridge over St Saviours Dock, Bermondsey, will be closed on July 28 and 29 due to ongoing construction works. Bermondsey is just downstream from Tower Bridge (mile 170) on the rightbank. Diversions are in place resulting in an added 0.4 miles to your journey.
There are no other route alerts that we are aware of.
Finally, spare a thought for Damian Hall who, last week, ran the Pennine Way completing the 270 mile trek in just 2 days 13 hours and 34 minutes setting a new record. At that pace, he would complete the Thames Path in just 41 hours and 20 minutes. He defied convention by running north to south. Perhaps he thought it was downhill!
Just remember, the Thames Path is to be savoured and not rushed. After all, it’s so much more than a walk!