No. We’re not talking about the risk of being swept away in the floods, charged by bulls or suffering from heatstroke. We’re talking about you know what…
We’ve taken a look at the infection rates across the various authorities that you walk through on the Thames Path, starting at the source on the left. Note that the graph is a bit skewed to the right. Don’t forget that 85% of the walk takes place to the left of Richmond.
The graph shows that, for much of the Thames Path, the infection rates are below the UK average, and certainly well below the rates in the hot spots that we have heard about in the news (Blackburn and Leicester for example). Only when you approach London does the rate increase above the national average – but only just.
The “riskiest” place on the Thames is Hounslow (16 per 100,000) which covers the left-bank of the Thames from Isleworth to Brentford at Kew Bridge and which can be avoided by walking on the right bank in the much safer Richmond (5 per 100,000). But, just as there are massive variations within the country, so there will be significant variations within an area. So probably no need to cross the bridge at Richmond. The point of the post, however, is to say that you are probably no more at risk on the Thames Path than anywhere else in the country. So enjoy it!
Where would you rather be this summer?
We have added to our website the first in a series of suggested itineraries. Imaginatively-named “the easy series” these are itineraries designed to be walked at a leisurely pace, with accommodation chosen close to the route rather than with budget in mind. The entire route has been split into 4 sections and 18 days of walking. Each section can be purchased as a package.
We are keen to hear suggestions for more itineraries. A dog-friendly itinerary for instance?
The Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham is launching a new exhibition “Love, Art, Loss, the Wives of Stanley Spencer”. The exhibition starts on August 15. Spencer was born in Cookham in 1891 and died in 1959. His works, considered to be post-impressionist, frequently feature religion and Cookham, both of which seemed to have a major influence on his life.
The Steve McQueen exhibition has re-opened at the Tate Modern and is available until 6 September. It features 14 major works spanning film, photography and sculpture.
Nearby at Southwark Cathedral, there will be an evening of Shakespearean sonnets, music, comedy and theatre on 22 August with actor Timothy West, comedian Arthur Smith, and Will & Co, the nation’s Bard in the Yard. Shakespeare was, of course, a parishioner of Southwark Cathedral.
The Greenwich Comedy Festival will take place on the lawns of the National Maritime Museum from 23-27 of September. It features household names such as Bill Bailey, Dara O’Briain and Josh Widdicombe
Why not combine your next Thames Path walk to co-incide with one of these?.
This is the time of year to watch out for dragonflies. Look out for the Southern Migrant Hawker (pictured below) which comes up from the Mediterranean.
And a reminder of the dangerous mix of dogs and swans as a swan was left with a broken wing at Chertsey. Swans often lie close to the shoreline and can be hard to see. So, unless you are sure there are no swans around, keep your dog on a lead.
Last week we braved the heat to walk the short distance between Goring and Pangbourne, completing the loop by train.
Goring and Streatley is a great place to stop off at with two fine hotels (Miller of Mansfield and the Swan at Streatley) and a collection of pubs to say nothing of Mill Cottage, George Michael’s former home (pictured right).
Just downstream from Goring, and past Brunel’s Gatehampton Railway Bridge built in 1840 for the Great Western Railway, lies Ferry Cottage. This simple dwelling was rented by Oscar Wilde and it was here that he had an affair with Lord Alfred Douglas, an affair that would see him down the road at Reading Gaol. The location is absolutely divine.
This stretch of the Thames Path is probably the most scenic of all the 180 miles. It’s also one of the few times that the Path rises up above the water by about 100 feet: one of only 2 hills on the Thames Path!
Once out of the forests you can see Basildon Park in the background. It’s all downhill from here (well, until you reach Whitchurch!).
It’s a long but easy descent into Whitchurch – a gorgeous village – where we stopped for a meal at The Ferryboat under the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme.Sadly there’s nowhere to stay in Whitchurch so, if you’re planning on stopping, you’ll have to cross the river to neighbouring Pangbourne where there are 2 hotels and a train station. The train on the way back was surprisingly quiet as was the car park
In Henley a cafe, bar and restaurant has “popped-up”. Lockdown Lodge is made from four shipping containers and sits on the Thames Path by Hambledon Lock. We haven’t yet had a chance to visit but will do so as soon as we can!
The Fat Duck and the Waterside, both in Bray, have both been named in the top ten of the UK’s finest restaurants. Although Bray sits on the opposite side of the water from the Thames Path and with no convenient crossing place, they’re fabulous places to visit if stopping at nearby Maidenhead.
Ready to book?
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