Thames Path National Trail: Abingdon to Oxford

If you've approached the river from Abingdon you need to cross over the bridge and head left along the southern bank of the river, heading for the lock. Here, cross over the river via the lock gates and over the island that follows, followed by the weir where you meet the Abbey Stream on your right. Cross over a wooden bridge and you are now in some woods. At a junction in the paths head right, following a ditch, also on your right. You will be required to cross over onto the other side as the path follows an inlet. Bear right and at the next fork head left. The trees begin to fade and the river now comes into view again. There are some picnic tables here, but you've only just got started, so you'll probably want to pass on them unless you need a rest after negotiating the woods! Pass under Nuneham Railway Bridge and continue on the path, taking note of Lock Wood Island in the middle of the river. As its name suggests, there used to be a lock here, probably pre-dating Queen Elizabeth I. Shortly after, the path is carried over a high bridge and on the opposite bank you will see Nuneham House, a Palladian Villa set in a landscaped park, created when the first Lord Harcourt demolished the local village in the mid 1700s.

A straight stretch of path follows, following an unfenced field. On reaching the Radley College Boathouse, follow the path over a bridge that lifts you over the slipway. Radley itself is a little way off the path, too far for a detour. The College (actually a school) was created in 1847 and perhaps its most famous contemporary old boy was the comedian Peter Cook. Keep with the path along some more fields until you reach the car park at Sandford. Take the footbridge over the weir channel where you will arrive at Sandford Lock. On the opposite bank is one of the few refreshment opportunities, the Kings Arms, and it may be apposite to take advantage of it if you think you've earned it.

Continue on the path, looking out for a view of Sandford church just as the path becomes enclosed. A pair of small bridges follow taking you over the weir, as the path takes you along the edge of the lock island. Soon, the path heads left to cross over the main weir and back onto the western bank of the river. There's a choice of paths a little later on at Rose Isle, but it somehow seems like cheating not to stay with the river. Pass through a kissing gate at the railway bridge, after which the path follows a wood before passing under Isis Bridge. The railway bridge used to carry the Oxford to High Wycombe line and was opened in 1864. Currently disused, Chiltern Railways has plans to reinstate this stretch of line in order to extend their network. Keep going until you reach Iffley Lock.

You could skip this section, but it would be a shame, as St. Mary's Chruch Iffley is well worth a short detour, to say nothing of the opportunity to get a feel of how life is lived away from the immediate riverbank. The church is Norman in origin and has two particularly magnificent features, one ancient, the other modern. The former is the array of stone flowers around the doorway, a feature only found elsewhere at the cathedral porch at Santiago de Compostela. The latter is the John Piper stained glass window featuring the Nativity. If you decide it's worth it, cross over the river at the lock gates and head past the buildings and the old lock. Head right, following the path amongst the trees, until you reach a fork to the left. Take this and follow the road round to the left uphill until you reach Mill Lane. Turn right at the junction and the church will be on your left. To return to the river simply retrace your steps.

The path now enters some meadows and runs on to Donnington Bridge, where you might be lucky enough to spot the barge belonging to St. John's College on the opposite bank. Look out for the boundary stone for the city of Oxford, but don't be fooled into thinking you're near the end, there's still some walking to do yet! A stream joins from the left and the path follows two more bridges. Pass the boathouse for Hertford College, the first of a run of such edifices on both banks. If you look carefully, you might make out the spire of Christ Church on the far bank - again, the first of many. The river broadens out here and becomes quite magisterial, with the Cherwell joining it on the far bank. Shortly after, there are some great views of Christ Church Meadow, where craft of all shapes and sizes mingle, sometimes not too well. This can be a good spot to pause in summer, just to take in the scene and perhaps place bets on which punter is going to be the next to fall in.

At the end of Christ Church Meadow the path crosses a footbridge and then another, after Isis House (the Thames is known as the Isis in these parts). Pass under the road bridge (carrying the Abingdon Road) and then over a footbridge opposite Salters Steamers. Stay with the river as it bends to the right and then to the left. Pass over the top of Marlborough Road and stay with the river as it now swings slightly to the left at the Sir Geoffery Arthur Building. Another bridge appears, which you pass under, after which the river performs an 'S', before passing under a large railway bridge before bending slightly to the right. A long straight section follows ending in a bridge spanning the Bulstrode Stream. There is a monument here to a drowning that occurred in 1898. Cross over the bridge, heading right. A long straight section follows, which ends in a bridge over the weir stream. Cross over, to the right, and pass Osney Lock. Stay with the river all the way to Osney Bridge. This bridge is especially significant as its low profile effectively marks it as the end of navigation for most craft, although narrow boats can pass underneath it (but even they need to be careful when the water is high). Go up to the road to link up with the station, bus and taxi stops.