Monday 7 September 2015

Leg 4 – Abingdon to Purley on Thames (overnight in Wallingford)

Our starting point at Abingdon Lock


Leg Distance: 27 miles

Number of Locks: 8

Time Taken: 2 days

Overnight Accommodation: Riverside Park Campsite, Wallingford OX10 8EB

Overall Distance Covered: 87 miles


We parked our car at the campsite in Wallingford and then took a taxi to our starting point at Abingdon Lock

The Shillingford Bridge Hotel was a nice stop for a drink a few miles before reaching Wallingford – we sat on the lawn whilst keeping the canoe from floating away

Wallingford Bridge

The campsite was right by the river so was great for canoe access - it is located on the opposite side of the river from Wallingford town just across the medieval bridge (apparently famous for having 22 spans!)

Camping in Wallingford

Dinner was at Anokhi curry house in Wallingford, which was pretty good. Wallingford is a very nice market town, but on a Saturday night there were lots of people hanging around and it felt like something might kick off!

Portage access at Whitchurch Lock

The next day, after buying provisions for lunch at Waitrose in Wallingford, we paddled down to Mapledurham often trading places with the African Queen paddle boat on the way; we were quicker through the locks than them by using the portages

We got out at a large grassed area at Purley on Thames, on the right hand side just after Mapledurham House. We arranged for a taxi to pick us up from Purley Park Social Club and take us back to our car at Wallingford

If you would like to download detailed information on the river please see this blog entry

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