Alerts
Staying Safe on the Thames Path
Thames Path Route Alerts
This is a list of problems along the Path that we are aware of. The distances show miles from source – in case you are not sure of where these places are.
Photos not necessarily current: intended to show where the trouble spot is.
If you know of any other problems, or have information to share about the below content, please send us a message using the contact button at the foot of this page.
Update: 14/4/24. Water levels have significantly receded, particularly in the upper stretches.
- Ewen 2.5 miles
As of 13/4/24 this notorious stretch of water is actually not too bad. The left side fence has a non-barbed wire (a few inches below the barbed wire) that you can hang onto and shuffle across. Picture taken on 13/4/24
- Field before North Meadow, Cricklade 11 miles
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: 25/4/24. The field is now passable. See current photo.
- Cricklade 12 miles
The gate before the underpass beneath the A419 is a few inches under water. Can be negotiated by climbing over the gate. Update 13/4/24: Water levels have dropped and gate can just about be walked through - see photo
- Approaching Castle Eaton 14-16 miles
The fields between Cricklade and Castle Eaton are likely to be quite damp underfoot but passable. Photo 14/4/24
- Shifford Lock 37 miles
The path is blocked by flooding at Shifford Lock footbridge
- Culham 64 miles
The small footbridge halfway between Abingdon and Culham Lock is closed due to failed timber decking. There is a minor diversion in place which take you across Old Culham Bridge
- Benson weir 74 miles
High river flows with tree debris have damaged the weir at Benson. Diversion in place through Crowmarsh Gifford. This diversion is likely to be in place throughout 2023 and possibly longer! A ferry service is operating from Benson Marina which takes you to Benson Lock - a little downstream but on the opposite side of the river, thus avoiding Benson Weir and the diversion. The cost is £2 one way. Dogs go free! It operates from 9am to 5pm. The service was initially a bit patchy but a new boat has since been commissioned. If walking upstream would suggest calling ahead to see that it's operating otherwise you'll get to Benson Lock and then have to walk back again. 07375 677823 Photo shows suggested diversion from Oxfordshire Council.
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Goring 82 miles
We've had reports that, as you approach Goring, there's a short stretch of path between the board walk and the bridge that is underwater. It can be avoided by walking through the pub car park.
- Shiplake 100 miles
Path is underwater approaching Shiplake. Suggest following the path up to the road at Shiplake College boat house; then turn right on the A4155 (pavement giving way to footpath on the grass verge); and right again on Mill Lane.
- Marsh Lock boardwalk closed near Henley 102 miles
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.
- Temple Lock 109 miles
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.
- Runnymede Bridge
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.
Contact Us
Send us any issues with the route so that we can share it with other walkers
Call (44) 118 4664007
Email info@walkthethames.co.uk
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