Oxford to Reading – Moderate
3 walking days
4 nights accommodation
Walking distance 42 miles
This itinerary starts at the university city of Oxford and works its way down through farm lands of the Chilterns reaching its terminus at the town of Reading. The walk is completely flat except between Goring and Pangbourne where the Path rises steeply (100 feet) above the riverbank to reach its highest point.
The Path is well signposted and, apart from a section of about 1 mile where the Path goes through a housing estate, it follows the riverbank all the time.
Towns and villages are encountered frequently.
This is one of the prettiest stretches of the Thames Path as the river winds its way between the Chilterns and the South Downs.
Itinerary
Day 0 Arrive at Bath Place, Oxford
Arrive at your leisure in Oxford and stay at Bath Place, once frequented by Elisabeth Taylor, and situated in the heart of the old University and handy for sightseeing and restaurants. Hotel.
Oxford is the oldest and most celebrated university town in Europe. It is also home to J R Tolkien, Cardinal (now Saint) John Neumann and Harry Potter!
If you arrive early you can spend the afternoon exploring this magical city. And you don’t need to dig deep to enjoy. Highlights are Christ Church Cathedral, Christ Church college founded by Cardinal Wolsey, the Bodleian Library which houses every single book ever published in the UK, Magdalen College, the Radcliffe Camera, and the Ashmolean Museum (free admission).
Day 1 Oxford to Clifton Hampden 15.4 miles
The Journey
The Path starts one mile from your hotel so you will walk back through the town, past the railway station to Osney Bridge where you pick up the Thames Path. You can also take a bus instead!
After 4 miles of pleasant river walking, where you will inevitably see rowing crews exercising, you will pass Iffley and Sandford Locks where you could take an early lunch at the Kings Arms.
The path from Sandford is very quiet. You will pass the boat house of Radley College, the famous school, and, across the river is Nuneham House, the grounds designed by Capability Brown. At the historic town of Abingdon you can enjoy an ice cream in the Abbey grounds.
Walking along the left bank through Culham Lock your destination is just five miles further on.
The Destination
The village of Clifton Hampden is one of the prettiest along the Thames with thatched cottages and a beautiful church.
You will stay at The Plough, a charming grade II listed cottage dating back to the 16th century complete with thatched roof, wooden beams and an inglenook fireplace. There are no evening meals served. However, the Barley Mow is a 5 minute walk away, across the bridge designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, and serves meals every evening,
Day 2 Clifton Hampden to Streatley 14.7 miles
The Journey
After leaving Clifton Hampden, the historic town of Dorchester appears across the fields to your left. You can detour through here to visit the famous Abbey and museum. Or, instead, you may be tempted to make a climb to the top of Wittenham Clumps, a modest pair of hills of almost 400 feet and the highest land around. It’s only an extra 1.8 miles. Well worth it if the weather is fine.
After Dorchester you will pass Shillingford Bridge, a perfect opportunity to stop for coffee at the hotel on the other side of the bridge; followed by Benson, where you will see plenty of boats. You might also see helicopters as RAF Benson is close by.
The historic town of Wallingford is next. The castle was an important stronghold during the wars between King Stephen and Empress Matilda. Why not stop at the museum?
From Wallingford you follow the right bank of the Thames, diverting from the river for a mile to go through Moulsford. A further 2.5 miles along the river, and under Brunel’s magnificent Moulsford Railway Bridge, and you will arrive at Goring and Streatley.
The Destination
There are few places as pretty as Goring and Streatley and it’s therefore a perfect place to stop. Goring is on the left bank and Streatley on the right – although they seem to get along together fine. There are plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants for you to unwind.
You will be staying at the Miller of Mansfield in the heart of the village, renowned for its quirky bedrooms..
After you’ve had a rest, take a short walk and admire the weir and the mill. Mill Cottage is world famous as it was owned by George Michael and is where he died. He’s not the only musician to have lived here: Pete Townshend of The Who had a recording studio here. In fact, you passed the cottage at Cleeve Lock where he wrote Quadrophenia.
Day 3 Streatley to Reading 11.9 miles
The Journey
The day starts with one of the prettiest sections of the Thames as you briefly climb 100 feet out of the woods into the Chiltern hills and look across the “Goring Gap” to the Berkshire Downs. You will catch a glimpse of Basildon Park opposite, a Palladian style mansion that gave its name to the writing paper.
A steep descent takes you across a tollbridge into Kenneth Grahame’s Pangbourne. You are now in “Wind in the Willows” country and you will pass Hardwick and Mapledurham Houses, both of which are contenders for Toad Hall.
At Mapledurham Lock you leave the Thames briefly and walk through Purley on Thames rejoining the river at Tilehurst ready for the final 3 miles of your holiday. Admire the grand houses across the river as you walk through fields and then parkland towards Caversham Bridge. Only another half a mile and you arrive at Reading Bridge, the end of your walk.
The Destination
Reading is the first sizeable town since Oxford. In fact, it is the largest town in England. Despite its modern appearance it is of historical significance. Reading Abbey was founded in 1121 and it is believed Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, rests here. Reading is famous for its 3 B’s: biscuits, bulbs and brewing. Sadly, they have all long gone.
You will stay at 1843 which takes its name from the year it was built. Originally a scientific and literary institute frequented by Charles Dickens, it has recently been tastefully modernised.The library plays tribute to its former life.
The hotel sits close to the town centre where there are plenty shops, bars and restaurants at the Oracle Centre which runs alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal. Alternatively you can take a few moments to see the Abbey ruins which marks the start of the Camino Ingles, which runs all the way to Santiago de Compostela, as well as Reading Gaol, once home to Oscar Wilde.
Prices
Prices inclusive of bed and breakfast plus baggage transfer between hotels. A map and guide book is also included. You will have unlimited access to our local team in the event of difficulties.
Price per person assuming shared occupancy: £505
Price per person assuming single occupancy: £805
Rest days can be purchased but prices vary depending on category of hotel.