Our challenge was to find the Source of the Thames. We began at Buscot Lock, walking upstream to the river’s last lock and the statue of Old Father Thames, which used to mark the source.
Buscot Lock The Thames Path St John’s Lock Old Father Thames The source of the Thames is now marked with a simple stone. The Trout Inn Buscot Play Area It is conveniently located next to the Buscot Village National Trust car park and is a good place to play at the end your walk.
Picturesque Buscot Lock is a working lock with a weir, bridges and swans.
The lock keepers we met were very friendly and showed my children how the manual lock works, much to their delight. 
Walking from Buscot Lock to St John’s Lock took us about an hour and the paths were easy to walk along. 
We followed this circular path from the National Trust’s website. 
You walk from Buscot Village, past Buscot Lock, along the Thames Path, staying close to the river. 
When you reach the bridge you are almost at St Johns Lock. 
St John’s Lock is the highest lock on the River Thames.
It has toilets, a small picnic area and a statue of Old Father Thames. 
Originally carved for Crystal Palace in 1854, Old Father Thames was moved to the source of the Thames in Trewsbury Mead in 1936. 
Sadly, it was vandalised and moved again to St John’s Lock.
We had lunch right next to the river at The Trout Inn,
which has a large garden and lots of tables. 
Buscot Village Play Area has a long obstacle course.
Further Information
Nearest Town: Buscot, near Faringdon Opens: Daily Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, eat at Buscot Village Tea-Rooms (SN7 8DA) or eat at The Trout Inn (GL7 3HA). How Long We Spent There: 4 hours Parking: Pay and display car park at Buscot Lock or The Trout Inn’s car park at St John’s Lock. Information Written: August 2023
County: Oxfordshire
Nearest Postcode: SN7 8DA
Cost: Free
Facilities: There are toilets for customers at the Tea-Rooms and Trout Inn. There are public toilets at both locks.
Buggies: The paths are fairly flat and easy to walk on. You could take an all-terrain buggy if you don’t mind bumping up and down some stairs.
Cost of Parking: Parking at Buscot Lock is free for National Trust members; from £2 for two hours for non-members. Parking at The Trout Inn is free.
Ratings
Our visit to Buscot Lock near Faringdon and St John’s Lock near Lechdale is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
-
Fun
-
Condition
-
Value
-
Would We Go Back
Before taking part in any activities or visiting any places listed, you should make appropriate checks to ensure high quality provision, a safe environment is provided and to check all these details are up to date before you visit and/or take part. We accept no liability (to the fullest extent permitted by law) for the quality of the activities provided or places listed or for the accuracy of any information given.
Add Comment