Thames Path Route News
We’ve never known so many entries on our Route Alerts page, currently standing at 32. The majority of these are due to flooding following a month of rain at the end of September in just 2 days. Although the situation is much improved, there are still sections which are quite impassable. These are at Ewen, Cricklade to Lechlade, and Tadpole Bridge to Newbridge. The Path from Sandford to Abingdon was also badly flooded. We’re not sure of the current situation. We’ve had more rain this week which does not bode well for anyone walking in the remainder of October. We’d like to thank those that took time to write to us about their own experiences which help us keep the page as current as possible.
Because the Thames is still high and fast flowing, the river is “red-boarded” i.e. no boats are allowed. It therefore follows that the ferries at Benson and Shepperton are not operating. The reason for the restrictions are underlined when you hear that a boating party of six capsized near Sunbury, one of whom is still missing.
Long-standing diversions:
Just downstream from St Johns Lock (past Lechlade) another wooden footbridge with the exotic name of Bloomer’s Hole is deemed unsafe and is to be repaired. There is a small diversion using the pre-existing Thames Path Alternative. It briefly follows the road to Kelmscott, past the caravan park on your left, taking a footpath to your right which rejoins the Thames on the left bank just across from the bridge.
At Culham there is a small diversion on account of a wooden bridge that needs attention. This is one where the diversion signs have been cast aside. We think the work has not been completed.
Benson Weir is still closed. The ferry is operating as the river is no longer red-boarded. The good news is that work is underway to repair the weir.
There is a new diversion to avoid the closed boardwalk at Marsh Lock Henley. This starts at Shiplake and takes you briefly into the Chilterns. The diversion adds an extra 1.0 miles to the walk although feedback that we’ve received is that it feels much longer! The diversion is supposed to add an extra mile. But, bear in mind that the distance from Shiplake to Henley is already 2.4 miles. So the diversion is therefore 3.4 miles in total.
The diversion at Temple Bridge is still in place following its closure.
And 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, which was expected to last 6 months from February 2024, is now set to be in place until 2026. The signage for this diversion is not that obvious.
For a full list please see our route alerts page on the website. | 
