Thames Path Part Sixteen: Cricklade to the Source of the Thames

The Thames Path is a 182 mile National Trail stretching from London to Gloucestershire. This year, the group will aim to cover the whole trail from start to finish! For the final 4 walks in this series, we will head into the Cotswolds taking us from Oxford to the Source of the Thames just outside Kemble!

To add some fun to our adventure, you are encouraged to purchase the Thames Passport where we will collect stamps at over 30 stamping stations along the Path. Collect stamps at all the various stations and you can receive a Certificate of Completion for doing the whole trail from start to finish! The link to purchase the passport is here: https://walkthethames.co.uk/thames-path-passport/

The day has finally arrived! 8 months since starting in Woolwich back in January, with around 170 miles covered to date and stopping at around 30 stamping stations, we have come to the final part of our Thames Adventure as we arrive at the Source of the Thames!

Setting off from the bus stop at Stockham Close in Cricklade, we will head through some riverside meadows and through the Cotswold Water Park to arrive at Waterhay Bridge. At this point, the river will change dramatically in size and scenery as we move closer to the source. 

On the outskirts of Ashton Keynes, we will pause for a lunch stop before heading into the village and the White Hart to collect our penultimate stamp for our passports.

After refreshment, we will continue through the village and start to pass some more lakes before entering the edges of Somerford Keynes. Passing Upper Mill Farm, we will then enter Ewen and see our first glimpse of Kemble with its church spire. A very short stretch of road walking will follow before we start our last push to the source! 

We will cross a main road on Kemble’s outskirts and follow a hedge before seeing our last glimpse of the now tiny Thames before it flows under a stone wall to help water flow underneath. Crossing another main road, we will follow a line of trees and after a sole maple tree, we will see a stone that marks the Source of the Thames, bringing our Thames journey to a close after just over 182 miles!

There will be a chance to take photos, including our last group photo and we will re-trace our steps to head for a celebratory drink at the Thames Head, plus to collect the final stamp for our passports. It is then a short walk to Kemble station for our journey home.