Make your own way to Oxford, easily accessible by train from London. Oxford is a justifiably famous city with its renowned academic heritage as the oldest university in the English-speaking world. In the Middle Ages, Alfred The Great debated with the Monks at the priory and from that time the place became a seat of learning. As you wander through its atmospheric streets, you will pass centuries-old colleges, peaceful quadrangles and iconic landmarks associated with the "dreaming spires" of Oxford University. The city’s blend of historic buildings, riverside scenery and vibrant cultural life makes for a memorable visit and if you have time, we recommend adding a second night here before your trip. There is much to see and do. Accommodation: Oxford is a busy city and we frequent a range of hotels and inns close to the centre.

Meals:  Nil

Today is a good warm-up walk for the hike to come. The Thames Path heads south from Oxford towards Abingdon through a rural area interspersed with grand houses. You will pass Iffley Meadows Nature Reserve, home to the rare Snakes Head Fritillery in the spring and once past Iffley Lock with its pretty lock-keeper's cottage, the walk opens out into rural charm, passing Sandford on Thames and the infamous 'Sandford Lasher ' weir, which has the greatest fall of water on the Thames. Watch out for red kites wheeling in the sky and roll into Abingdon, a pretty market town with a claim to be the oldest continually inhabited place in England. St. Nicholas's Church dates back to the 11th century and there is a magnificent town hall and abbey remains founded as early as 675AD. Accommodation: A beautiful house in the abbey grounds. it is a uniquely interesting historic building, situated in one of the most attractive historic streets in southern England and with gardens on the banks of the River Thames

Meals:  B

A rural and suburban stroll today both starting and finishing in historic towns. As the crow flies, the distance between Abingdon and Wallingford is 8 miles but due to the Thames's winding nature you end up walking over 13! You will pass a lot of small villages and attractive sights on the way: meadows, locks and churches. South of Abingdon the river turns east past Culham and then on towards Clifton Hampden and a beautiful riverside view of the tiny 12th century church by the bridge. Arrive at Days Lock, famous as the home of the The World Pooh Stick Championships! From here you can divert to either the historic abbey village of Dorchester on Thames whose great abbey church was built around 1140, or visit the Wittenham Clumps (small beech covered hills). One of these clumps known as Castle Hill on account of its Iron Age fort is worth both the detour from the Path and the steep climb for the views from the top. Alternatively explore Wallingford Castle, built by the Normans and demolished by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century after the Civil War. These attractions will all add to the distance walking today but are worth extra effort if you have the energy! Finally passing Benson, site of a Saxon battle, you will arrive at Wallingford, the finest example of a Saxon fortified town in England. Alfred The Great directed the erection of fortifications against the Danish invaders. This is also where the Normans crossed The Thames having invaded in 1066, to avoid crossing at central London. Accommodation: A local pub, restaurant & bed and breakfast located in the historic market town of Wallingford a stones throw from the River Thames. Serving local ales and home cooked food, they strive to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all.

Meals:  B

A shorter walk today through contrasting landscapes, ending in Pangbourne the 'home' of the Wind in the Willows story by Kenneth Grahame. There are a few hills today starting with wide open countryside with large undulating arable fields stretching away to the east to a beech wood skyline but after a few miles the view is dominated by the hills of the Berkshire Downs rising to the west and the wooded Chilterns to the east. At the junction of the two is the Goring Gap, the narrowest part of the Thames Valley where the river, blocked by glaciers during the Ice Age, bored its way through geological weaknesses in the chalk. There is a steep climb up steps and into Coombe Park away from the river. The path follows a road down through Whitchurch, crossing the Thames into Pangbourne. Here, the English countryside plays host to a striking cultural clash: it is the quiet, pastoral home of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad of Toad Hall, yet it also served as a retreat for rock legend Jimmy Page, legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist. Accommodation: First established as a coaching inn in the 1600s, our hotel is encompassed in history and unique character. The interior is inspired by ‘The Wind in the Willows’ by late local author Kenneth Graham.

Meals:  B

Today is a longer walk, although it can be shortened by taking the train part of the way. The trail follows the river to Mapledurham Lock and a cafe break perhaps, before wandering alongside the road through Purley-on-Thames to rejoin the river at Tilehurst. Beyond Reading Bridge and Caversham Lock, things open up into a landscape of gentle wooded hills, fine houses and the ever-widening River Thames. Pass through Sonning, home to George Clooney, with its 18th century hump-backed bridge, before the trail narrows for some lovely riverbank walking through Shiplake, where George Orwell (Eric Blair) grew up. The trail then follows roads and paths inland of The Thames rejoining the river just before Henley-on-Thames. Henley is famous for its Royal Regatta and is a delightful town. Make sure you don’t miss the award-winning River and Rowing Museum on the banks of the river as you enter the town. Accommodation: A guesthouse or hotel close to the centre.

Meals:  B

A short walk today, after yesterday's longer hike, gives you plenty of time to explore both Henley and Marlow and lull around the river in between. The walk follows the path of the Henley Regatta to Hambleden Lock and then for the last mile or so you are following the route of the Marlow Town Regatta into Marlow. In between are delightful river settings, locks and an extensive deer park with white deer. The last half a mile takes in a famous Victorian view towards Marlow and its suspension bridge, the model for the much bigger one in Budapest. Accommodation: A guest house about 15 minutes walk from the centre. There are 8 'luxury' guest bedrooms with WiFi and the place is beloved for its breakfasts. You may instead be at a pub B&B in the town centre, which also does some great pub food.

Meals:  B

Leaving Marlow the Thames Path heads out into the meadows beside the winding river. You switch to the south bank of the Thames at Bourne End and along to Cookham, where you will find the gallery museum to famous local painter, Stanley Spencer. The village could make an ideal coffee stop before following the woody river bank along a pleasant shady stretch before the commuter town of Maidenhead where you will find the famous Boulters lock. Here the fashionable Victorians and Edwardians used to parade on the riverside trails. After the bridges of the town, including a Brunel masterpiece with the widest brick arches in the World, you follow the meanders of the Thames taking you out into the countrysid passing Monkey Island and Eton College's rowing lake used in the 2012 Olympics (Dorney Lake) and the beautiful flint stone church of St. Mary Magdalene. Finally you cross the last water-meadows reaching Eton and Windsor. The famous castle holds out to near the end when it suddenly appears across the river. If time permits, an extra night in Windsor is highly recommended, allowing you to explore the castle, wander through the Great Park and discover the rich royal history of this remarkable town. With Windsor Castle serving as a royal residence for nearly 1,000 years and neighbouring Eton College educating generations of Britain's leaders, there is plenty to reward a longer stay. Accommodation: We use a number of different accommodation in the busy town of Windsor and neighbouring Eton, just across the river.

Meals:  B

Depart from Henley for your onward journey

Meals:  B