History
A path along the Thames was first proposed in 1948 and named as one of the country's long-distance routes under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. From 1973 the Ramblers and the River Thames Society, with local campaign groups, negotiated with landowners and councils and lobbied politicians to restore the old towing path.
The final section was opened and the Thames Path National Trail inaugurated at the Thames Barrier on 24 July 1996. It runs from the source of the Thames in Gloucestershire to London.
Sources: National Trails: Thames Path; National Trails: Thames Path trail information; Wikipedia: Thames Path
Facts
- Code
- UK 016 (provisional)
- Distance
- 185 miles (298 km). We measure 187 miles
- Sections
- 15
- Type
- Linear
- Opened
- 24 July 1996
- Designation
- National Trail
- Looked after by
- Thames Path National Trail Partnership (Oxfordshire County Council) / Natural England
- Nations
- England
- Total ascent
- Still to be measured