Back To The River

THE THAMES PATH – DAY 7: Wednesday 22 July 2026 – ABINGDON to WALLINGFORD (13.5 miles)

With Rachel and Tim – returning at last to our Thames Path adventure

A week or two ago Rachel and I decided to rekindle our Thames Path project that had lain dormant for a few months. A lot of water has flowed under the bridges of the river since last November when we reached Abingdon-on-Thames, just a day’s walk downstream of Oxford, and it was here that we picked up our journey today.

Our summer walk today took us over the Thames bridge from Abingdon town centre (top left) along the meanders of the river past Clifton Hampden and Shillingford to the town of Wallingford (where we stayed overnight at The Town Arms – on the Path, and just a short stone’s throw from the Thames)

Rachel and I were joined early this morning by my brother Tim, who has walked with us on many occasions and has featured in this Blog before – so we were guaranteed a lively and insightful conversation as we followed the river through the many miles along the tranquil Oxfordshire water meadows. We had sought to select a day when light cloud was forecast, to offer some protection from the summer sun, but with the temperature in the high twenties today proved quite demanding, and for the most part we had the riverside path to ourselves.

. . . and onto the Thames Path once more, as we passed Abingdon

Water meadows are something of a misnomer at this dry time of year!

Our first landmark of the day: Culham Lock

Then into the shady woods by the river . . .

The well-kept lock at Clifton Hampden . . .

. . . where we crossed to the south bank of the Thames . . .

. . . for a distant view across the meadows to the Wittenham Clumps

One, of many, fine boathouses (more to follow)

. . . as we reached Day’s Lock, where the river completes a large meander before turning sharply eastward . . .

Lunch, in the shade of an old chestnut tree . . .

. . . then back on the trail, as we passed the bridge at Shillingford (there is no toll these days, but the name conveys much history)

The mill leat at Benson, just off the main river . . .

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. . . and another fine boathouse . . .

. . . before, at last, the church spire in Wallingford, marking the end of today’s walk – the raised area in the foreground is the site of the former medieval fortress of Wallingford Castle, largely destroyed by order of Oliver Cromwell in 1652 after the locals sided with the King

Three happy hikers, relaxing after our day by the Thames

Our reward for nearly eight hours on the trail came in the form of the Thames-side Boat House pub in Wallingford, where we took refreshment overlooking the water, with our feet up, whilst reflecting upon a great walking day. Rachel and I are staying on tonight in Wallingford, in order to complete another day of the Thames Path tomorrow – so I will be back here in a few days with a further update.

A river bank mural commemorating the area’s Second World War connections

Today’s Blog heading ‘Back to the River’ is taken from the title of a 2016 song by American rock band The Pretty Reckless, from the group’s third studio album ‘Who You Selling For’. The number has a southern rock sound and was written by front-woman Taylor Momsen (whose seemingly Janis Joplin-inspired vocals are writ large on the soundtrack) and guitarist Ben Phillips; and the recording also features a special guest in Warren Haynes (of The Allman Brothers Band fame) on lead guitar. The song adds a slightly different genre, not to mention a little raw energy, to my Thames Path Playlist, as we approach the halfway point of the walk.

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