Staying Safe on the Thames Path

The Path is closed for repair from Ewen through to Upper Mill Farm, about ¾ of a mile. No diversion notices have been posted. However, the diversion route is the same as what we would suggest if the path at Ewen is flooded; which is to follow the parallel yellow road from Ewen to Somerford Keynes and following the path at Upper Mill Farm. UPDATE: 8/4 This has now re-opened. There are boardwalks across the worst section of the path. See Ewen flooding below.

Background: this notorious and narrow stretch of path is prone to flooding. The left sided fence has a non-barbed wire (a few inches below the barbed wire) that you can hang onto and shuffle across. The right side is less forgiving. Update 8/4: Clear of flooding and, hopefully, never to be a problem again as a boardwalk has been placed over this stretch of the Path.

This stretch is often a problem during flooding. However, as of April 8, this is flooded in the midst of the driest spring on record and no flooding elsewhere. So this cannot be normal flooding but must have been caused by some civil engineering works that have disturbed the flow of water. To be specific, the flooding is where the path passes between the two lakes with its peak either side of the bridge. As of 8/4/25 the water is above the knee so not safe to walk through. Imagine what it will be like after rain? If walking downstream there's a footpath shortly before the flood that will take you alongside the far side of the lake to your left and taking you to Rixon Gate fro where you can take a path southwards to Water Hay. UPDATE 23/4/25. All clear. There were blocked pipes which have now been cleared.

Car park and surrounding paths under water (subject to Ashton Keynes to Water Hay referred above). Update 2/4: Clear of flooding.

The field between the disused railway and North Meadow is likely to be flooded. You can avoid this by following the disused railway (cycle route 45) into Cricklade.Update 2/4: Clear of flooding.

The gate before the underpass beneath the A419 is a few inches under water. Can be negotiated by climbing over the gate. Update 2/4: Clear of flooding.

The fields between Cricklade and Castle Eaton are completely under water and impassable.Update 2/4: Clear of flooding.

The path is blocked by flooding at Shifford Lock footbridge Update 2/4: Clear of flooding.

Update 2/4: Clear of flooding.

A bridge over a tributary between Pinkhill Lock and Swinford Bridge is deemed unsafe necessitating a diversion. The diversion starts just before Pinkhill Lock and follows footpaths to the Eynsham road.

As you approach Osney Bridge in a downstream direction, the towpath is closed about 150 yards from the bridge. A diversion sign takes you parallel to the river along Abbey Road. When you reach Botley Road, turn right and you will get back to Osney Bridge.

A bridge over a tributary is deemed unsafe and has been temporarily close whilst investigations are made. In the meantime, the Path has been diverted. After passing under the railway line, the Path goes left whilst the cycle bears right. Simply follow the cycle path which follows the side of the railway line. After a mile (20-30 minutes) the cycle path reaches a lane. Turn left here (cycle path goes right). Follow the lane until you reach the river. The Path goes to your right under the yellow barrier. The Kings Arms at Sandford is across the river via the gate and bridge to your left.

As you approach Abingdon in a downstream direction, the Path switches from the right bank to the left bank via a walkway across the weir. Due to corrosion, this walkway has been closed and the Path re-routed via Abingdon town centre.

The weir, above which the Thames Path crosses the river, was damaged in 2002 and is currently being repaired. A diversion is in place mostly using minor roads through Preston Crowmarsh and Howbery Business Park, crossing the river at Wallingford Bridge. A shuttle ferry service is available from Benson Marina to the lock. However, this is now only operating at weekends between 10am and 4pm and is subject to river conditions. If in doubt, call them on 07375 677823. Update 8/12/24: river is redboarded meaning no boats allowed on the river.

Immediately downstream of the bridge at Goring the Path is closed for about 1/4 mile with a small diversion. This takes you onto the parallel Manor Road and a footpath will take you back to the river

The boardwalk is closed upstream of the lock. The diversion previously in place has been removed. A new diversion has been put in place which includes some road walking but on quiet country lanes. It also involves an additional 1 mile of walking. Do not be tempted to walk down the A4155 which is busy, fast and has no pavement. If you don't want to follow the diversion, the next best alternative is to take the train between Shiplake and Henley which runs every 30 minutes.

The Environment Agency has deemed the bridge to be unsafe and is therefore closed for the foreseeable future. Follow path to Bisham Abbey and then minor roads to Marlow. Note: there are no signposts to the footpath. It's the first public footpath to the right before the (closed) bridge. Then take a left. When we checked this in early June the turning wasn't marked. Another option is to cross the river at Hambledon Lock and follow footpaths through Medmenham and Harleyford. Click on the map to take you to a review of this path.

Damage to a bridge has caused a diversion from just past the Runnymede Hotel to shortly before Staines. The diversion uses the A308 (pavements) returning the walker to the riverbank just before the bridge at Staines. The diversion takes about 0.6 miles of the route with minimal added distance. The diversion was expected to last 6 months from February 2024 but has been extended and could be there until 2027 or even 2027. The signage for this diversion has improved but is less obvious walking upstream. Take a faint path to your right just before the M25 bridge. This leads out to the Egham roundabout. Walk to the roundabout and take a left to the underpass. Follow the A308 until you reach Homebase. Turn left down the road which leads you back to the river. Upstream walkers: watch out for the diversion sign and turn left at the retail park (Halfords and Homebase). If you miss it you might end up walking a half mile to the bridge to find you have to walk a half mile back! Finally, there has been a running battle between the council and some locals who have been pulling down the barricades to keep the path open. The council has replaced the barricades with an impregnable steel gate so there's no way through now!

The right bank Path is closed near the Old Deer Park, between Richmond Lock and Kew Gardens because a section of the embankment has collapsed into the river taking the towpath with it! Follow the left bank for this section.

If taking the left bank through Brentford you will find the Path blocked on the left bank of the Grand Union Canal (between the bridge over the River Brent and Brentford Marina). There's no official diversion in place. This area is being redeveloped and so disruption should be expected for quite some time. It might be best to avoid the walk along the canal completely and follow Brentord High Street instead. Update: Parts of the route are now open. It's possible to walk down The Ham, cross the canal, follow the canal to Thames Lock, cross back over the canal at the Lock and follow Dock Road back to the High Street. Turn right on the High Street and turn down Pump Alley (ignoring the TP signs taking you down Timber Wharf Walk). This will lead you to the marina and the river.