Walking the Thames Path & Villages
From
£599.00
£599.00
Walks & Treks
2 nights in England | Solos Board
What to expect
Two Guided Walks
Led by Blue Badge walking guide
The White Hart Hotel
Traditional 16th-century coaching inn
River Thames
The most iconic waterway in England
Picturesque Villages
Explore Abingdon, Streatley & Goring
About this trip...
This wonderful fully guided walking break explores the beautiful Oxfordshire and Berkshire stretches of the Thames Path, passing through historic riverside villages. You'll stay in a delightful 16th-century coaching inn, nestled in the charming village of Dorchester-on-Thames — the perfect base for experiencing some of England's finest countryside and its most famous river. A perfect short stay for solo ramblers seeking nature, history, and great company.
Activity Level:
What's this?What's included?
Room for sole use
Solos Board - Breakfast & evening meal daily with half a bottle of wine
Welcome drink & information meeting
Two guided exclusive walks including transfers
Experienced Blue Badge walking guide-
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- Insurance click here
- Lunches
Itinerary
- Arrive & check-in
- “Abbey to Abbey” Abingdon to Dorchester
- Streatley to Goring Figure-of-Eight
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrival
After checking in to our hotel, we meet our Tour Leader and fellow Solos guests for the welcome drink and enjoy our first evening meal together.
- Dinner included
Day Two: “Abbey to Abbey” - Abingdon to Dorchester
After breakfast, we take a short coach ride to historic Abingdon, once Berkshire’s County town. Our walk begins by the former County Hall passing the impressive gateway to its former abbey. We then cross the Thames to join the path beside the river, discovering the Wilts and Berks Canal junction and grade two listed Culham Bridge. Following the river’s old course we soon reach Sutton Courtenay, where we visit the churchyard graves of a former Prime Minister and a famous author. Rejoining the Thames Path, we follow it to Clifton Hampden Bridge for a late lunch at the pub mentioned in Jerome K Jerome’s 'Three Men in a Boat'.
In the afternoon, we return to our hotel through meadows and fields, with the twin bumps of Wittenham Clumps, an Iron Age hillfort ahead. Leaving the Thames Path, we cross meadows to Dorchester, rich in history and Midsomer Murders locations. There’s time to explore the abbey and museum or enjoy the abbey tea rooms before returning to our hotel.
- Walking distance: 10.4 Miles
- Walking time: 5 hrs approx
- Ascent/descent: Minimal
- Transfer time: 15 mins approx
- Breakfast & dinner included
Day Three: Streatley to Goring Figure-of-Eight
After a short coach transfer, we begin our half day walk in the delightful riverside village of Streatley, a twin with Goring on the opposite bank. Our route ascends quite steeply to Lardon Chase, where we encounter our first magnificent views across the Thames winding its way through the Ice Age formed Goring Gap. We do a loop through beech woodland and chalk downland.
We will almost certainly hear, if not see, a variety of wildlife, including magnificent birds of prey such as red kites. Our route drops down to the river, crossing a causeway bridge next to one of the most picturesque Thames Locks, where the Thames Path meets the Ridgeway.
The second half of the route is a circuit on the Goring side of the river, following the Thames Path. We can admire the way Brunel built the railway through this area before returning to Goring and exploring the village. There are café and pub options in Goring before re-joining our coach for the short journey back to our hotel. Perhaps before departing for home, we'll have a final wander around delightful Dorchester on Thames.
- Walking distance: 5.5 Miles
- Walking time: 2hrs 45 mins approx
- Ascent: 445ft/135m approx
- Transfer time: 20 mins approx
- Breakfast included
Trip Reviews
Accommodation
The White Hart Inn - Dorchester on Thames
Originally a 16th-century coaching inn, this charming hotel situated in the 'chocolate box' village of Dorchester-on-Thames retains all the character of the old inn with modern amenities, making the hotel a perfect accompaniment to our escorted group walking break.
Facilities include
Facilities include characterful restaurant, traditional bar and bar area with slate floors open fire and ancient beams, wi-fi and free car parking.
Room includes
The comfortable individually designed rooms include en-suite bathroom with bath and shower, hospitality tray, telephone, hairdryer, TV and WiFi.
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Location & Transport
From M40 travelling South: No exit junction 7 Exit at Junction 6 and take B4009 via Watlington to Benson, then A4074 to Dorchester on Thames.
From M40 travelling North: Exit at Junction 7 and take A329 via Stadhampton and Warborough to Shillingford, then A4074 to Dorchester on Thames.
From M4 travelling west: Exit at Junction 8/9 and take A404/A4130 via Henley on Thames and Nettlebed to Crowmarsh, then A4074 to Dorchester on Thames.
From M4 travelling east: Exit at Junction 13 and take A34 to Abingdon, then A415 to Dorchester on Thames. Nearest Train Station: Didcot Parkway
Walking Programme
Two exclusive guided walks are included in the programme. The walking programme is graded easy to medium and you can expect to walk up to approx 10 miles on the first walk and approx 5 miles on the second walk.
What To Wear
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort. The weather, even in summer, can be unpredictable. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
- Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses.
Gratuities
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff (including restaurant, kitchen and reception staff) of approximately £10.
Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of bar staff and housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (the rounding up of the drinks bill and a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, restaurants expect a 10% gratuity (do check that service has not already been added to your bill). For taxis 10% of the metered fare.
Dress Code
The dress code for during the evening is casual.
