Thames Path – Toddle Doddle https://toddledoddle.com Find Your Next Adventure Sun, 24 Sep 2023 15:24:43 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 102446132 Find the Source of the River Thames at Thames Head https://toddledoddle.com/the-source-of-the-thames-trewsbury-mead-thames-head-kemble/ https://toddledoddle.com/the-source-of-the-thames-trewsbury-mead-thames-head-kemble/#respond Sun, 24 Sep 2023 10:20:35 +0000 https://toddledoddle.com/st-johns-lock-river-thames-lechdale-copy/ Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshire

It’s surprisingly hard to work out where the source of the Thames is. Is it bubbling Lyd Well? The marker stone in Trewsbury Mead? Or Seven Springs, some 14 miles further upstream? 

 

Lyd Well

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, OxfordshireLyd Well bubbles with surprising force,

 

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshirepumping water through the surrounding fields. 

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, OxfordshireSomehow it’s still easy to miss, hiding in a clump of trees,

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshirebehind a dry stone wall and a pool of water during wetter months

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshirebut not during others.   

 

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, OxfordshireThis is a seasonal spring so be careful with the timing of your visit. It is magical when bubbling but less impressive when dry. 

I have found it flowing in March

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshirebut not this August, even though it’s been such a wet summer.

 

 

 

 

 

Trewsbury Mead

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, OxfordshireIf you continue along the path from Lyd Well, over the fields,

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshireacross the A433

 

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshireand through a gate

 

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshireyou will eventually come to a meadow known as Trewsbury Mead

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshireand the Source of the Thames marker.  

 

 

 

 

 

The Source of the River Thames…

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, OxfordshireThis source is marked with a stone

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshireand a sign post – only 232 miles to the sea!

 

 

 

 

 

…Or Is It?

Seven Springs, the Source of the River Thames in Coberley, GloucestershireThe ultimate source of the Thames is disputed with some saying the source furthest from the mouth of the Thames is Seven Springs in Gloucestershire.  

If you take Seven Springs as the source, it adds a further 14 miles to the length of the Thames. 

 

Seven Springs, the Source of the River Thames in Coberley, GloucestershireSeven Springs is a compact and easy place to visit for a paddle. It also flows throughout the year.

 

 

 

 

Old Father Thames 

Father Thames at St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshireIn 1936, a statue of Old Father was placed in Trewsbury Mead to mark the source of the Thames.  

Sadly, it was vandalised and moved again to St John’s Lock, where it can still be found today. 

 

 

The Paths…and Stairs!

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, OxfordshireThe paths leading to the source of the Thames are easy to walk on but are not surfaced and can be a little uneven

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, Oxfordshireand very muddy.

 

 

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, OxfordshireThere is a steep flight of stairs that you have to go up to cross the A433 crossing.

I have taken a double buggy up these stairs but would not do it again.  

 

 

 

Thames Head, the Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead, Kemble, near Cirencester, OxfordshireThe stairs are very steep and lead straight on to the A433, which runs along the top.  

This isn’t a very busy road but it is fast – the cars fly past – and it’s not somewhere you would want children to stand around while you fiddle with a buggy.  

Read More

 

Visit the Thames Head website

 

Further Information

Nearest Town: Kemble or Coates, near Cirencester
County: Oxfordshire 
Nearest Postcode: GL7 6BS or GL7 6NZ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, eat at the Thames Head Inn (GL7 6NZ) or The Tavern Inn (GL7 6AX).
Facilities: None. 

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: I wouldn’t take a buggy because of the steep flight of stairs next to the fast road.  

Parking: Lay-by on the A429 – as you leave Kemble heading towards Cirencester, look out for a lay-by on the left and right of the road on a bridge over the river (GL7 6BS takes you roughly there). Alternatively, have a meal at the Thames Head Inn and then walk from there.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: March 2017 and August 2023

Visitor Information

 

Ratings

Our visit to the source of the River Thames at Thames Head or Trewsbury Mead between Kemble and Coates 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
4.0
Sending
User Rating 0 (0 votes)
Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)

 

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.

 

 

]]> https://toddledoddle.com/the-source-of-the-thames-trewsbury-mead-thames-head-kemble/feed/ 0 75732 Meet Old Father Thames at St John’s Lock, Lechdale https://toddledoddle.com/st-johns-lock-river-thames-lechdale/ https://toddledoddle.com/st-johns-lock-river-thames-lechdale/#respond Sat, 23 Sep 2023 13:22:28 +0000 https://toddledoddle.com/buscot-village-play-area-faringdon-copy/ Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Father Thames at St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire Buscot Village Play Area in Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire

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

Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshirePicturesque Buscot Lock is a working lock with a weir, bridges and swans.

 

 

 

 

Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshireThe lock keepers we met were very friendly and showed my children how the manual lock works, much to their delight. 

 

 

 

 

The Thames Path

Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshireWalking from Buscot Lock to St John’s Lock took us about an hour and the paths were easy to walk along.  

 

 

 

 

Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshireWe followed this circular path from the National Trust’s website. 

 

 

 

 

Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshireYou walk from Buscot Village, past Buscot Lock, along the Thames Path, staying close to the river.  

 

 

 

 

Buscot Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshireWhen you reach the bridge you are almost at St Johns Lock.  

 

 

 

 

 

St John’s Lock

St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshireSt John’s Lock is the highest lock on the River Thames.

 

 

 

 

St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshireIt has toilets, a small picnic area and a statue of Old Father Thames. 

 

 

 

 

 

Old Father Thames 

Father Thames at St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshireOriginally carved for Crystal Palace in 1854, Old Father Thames was moved to the source of the Thames in Trewsbury Mead in 1936.  

 

 

 

Source of the River Thames in Kemble, OxfordshireSadly, it was vandalised and moved again to St John’s Lock.

The source of the Thames is now marked with a simple stone.  

 

 

 

The Trout Inn

St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshireWe had lunch right next to the river at The Trout Inn,

 

 

 

 

St John's Lock on the River Thames, Buscot, near Faringdon, Oxfordshirewhich has a large garden and lots of tables. 

 

 

 

 

 

Buscot Play Area

Buscot Village Play Area in Buscot, near Faringdon, OxfordshireBuscot Village Play Area has a long obstacle course.  

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.

Read More

 

Visit the Buscot Lock website

 

Further Information

Nearest Town: Buscot, near Faringdon
County: Oxfordshire 
Nearest Postcode: SN7 8DA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, eat at Buscot Village Tea-Rooms (SN7 8DA) or eat at The Trout Inn (GL7 3HA).
Facilities: There are toilets for customers at the Tea-Rooms and Trout Inn. There are public toilets at both locks.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
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. 

Parking: Pay and display car park at Buscot Lock or The Trout Inn’s car park at St John’s Lock. 
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. 

Information Written: August 2023

Visitor Information

 

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
4.3
Sending
User Rating 0 (0 votes)
Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)

 

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.

 

 

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