Staying Safe on the Thames Path

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 24/2: Clear of flooding.

Car park and surrounding paths under water. Update 24/2: Flooding between Ashton Keynes and Water Hay.

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 24/2: 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 3/2: likely to be flooded.

The fields between Cricklade and Castle Eaton are completely under water and impassable.Update 24/2: Clear of flooding.

The path is blocked by flooding at Shifford Lock footbridge Update 24/2: Clear of flooding.

Update 24/2: 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.

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

Update 3/2: likely to be flooded approaching Shiplake College

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 is expected to last 6 months from February 2024. Note: the signage for this diversion is not that obvious. 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.

Update 5/11/24: The ferry service has been suspended until March 2025.Follow the Thames Path Alternative by walking up to Church Square in Old Shepperton.

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 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.