Leg 1 – From the source to Lechlade (overnight in Cricklade)

The Thames Head Inn, close to the source of the river

Leg Distance: 22 miles (of which 11 miles was on foot)

Number of Locks: 0

Time Taken: 2 days

Overnight Accommodation: The Old Bear, Cricklade SN6 6AA

Overall Distance Covered: 22 miles (2 days)

We left our car (and canoe) at our overnight accommodation and took a taxi to The Thames Head Inn, not far from the source of the Thames. 

First pint to mark the start of the trip

After a pint at the pub to send us on our way we walked to the source, where there is a marker stone with the following inscription:

THE CONSERVATORS OF THE RIVER THAMES
1857-1954
THIS STONE WAS PLACED HERE TO MARK THE
SOURCE OF THE RIVER THAMES 

Path towards the source of the Thames

There was no sign of any water at this point and we had to walk further on across the A433 road until we found a trickle of water coming out of the ground. It was amazing to think that over our journey we would see this transform into the large river that flows through London.

The early stages of the river

We followed the trickle until it became a stream, then a river and carried on to Ewen, where we had lunch at The Wild Duck Inn. After that we continued past the Cotswold lakes and on to Cricklade.  

The river running through Ashton Keynes village

  

We checked into our accommodation at The Old Bear pub and had a few well deserved drinks followed by a curry at The Ancient Raj. There was a 6 nations rugby match on (Wales v Ireland) so we watched some of that over drinks at The White Lion Inn and The Red Lion Inn.

The next day we put the canoe into the water on Abingdon Court Lane which, due to low water levels, was as close to Cricklade Town Bridge as we could start canoeing. With the exception of one or two ferocious swans guarding their cygnets we had a lovely paddle to Lechlade through beautiful countryside. We met quite a few walkers along the way who were intrigued by our plans (and our inflatable canoe!).

Quiet upper stretch of the Thames by Water Eaton foot bridge

The early stretches of the river were quite shallow and we ran aground a few times, so had to get out and wade to deeper water. As we canoed this section early in the year, few other canoes had been out and so there were some blockages from fallen trees that had yet to be cleared. One large tree blocked the entire width of the river under Water Eaton foot bridge, so we had to divert around it. We took an early lunch stop at the Red Lion pub in Castle Eaton, leaving our canoe on the opposite bank.

Upon reaching Lechlade we got out using the grounds of the New Inn Hotel, and then took a taxi back to Cricklade to collect the car.

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