Stage 8 - Goring to Abingdon via The Ridgeway - 24th June 2024

Goring Lock

Stage 8 of my 2024 Thames Path challenge to walk from the sea at Grain to the Source near Kemble in 11 stages. 20.55 miles today from Goring to Abingdon.

I decided to avoid having to walk along the busy main road through Moulsford and Cholsey Nature Reserve by instead walking The Ridgeway route on the other side of the river between Goring and Wallingford. I would then cross back to the Thames Path over the Winterbrook Bridge. Makes for an altogether much more pleasant walk.

Thames Road on the Goring side of the Streatley-Goring Bridge over the river

Thames Path is on the other side of the river. I'm on The Ridgeway

The Perch & Pike in the pretty village of South Stoke

Back by the river - the Beetle & Wedge on the other side where you would leave the path for the busy road in Moulsford

You don't see this from the Thames Path

Moulsford Railway Bridge from another angle

Looking upstream beyond Moulsford Bridge

Cholsey Nature Reserve is off to the right and left. At one time there was a ferry here

Path leaves the river briefly, heading for North Stoke

North Stoke

North Stoke

The river from Winterbrook Bridge

Now back on the official Thames Path at Wallingford

Heading towards the town centre

Market Place Wallingford

Looking upstream from Wallingford Bridge

Looking downstream from Wallingford Bridge

Whilst the walkway over the weir is closed for repairs, this brilliant ferry service at Benson has stepped in to save walking the detour

On the ferry!

Coffee & raspberry ripple cake! A staple of mine at Benson Waterfront Cafe

Works going on, rebuilding part of the bank

Very neat!

Shillingford Bridge

This is a bridge over the Thame near Dorchester. It's where the Thame meets the Thames!

Little Wittenham Bridge. The bridge continues behind the lock keeper's cottage

Day's Lock with the Wittenham Clumps in the background

Day's Lock & The Clumps

Looking upstream from the other side of the weir

Day's Lock & Weir - so pretty

You get a lot of wildlife along here

The Earth Trust has been responsible for projects creating new backwaters along this stage, encouraging more wild life

One of the new ponds - thanks to the Earth Trust

So pretty!

Clifton Hampden Bridge - unusually for the Thames, built from red brick

A group of walkers I met at Clifton Lock

Clifton Lock - Every year, Curtis & his wife add more colour with profits on ice cream sales adding to their plant kitty

I encourage you to buy an ice cream as the profits go to a good cause - more plants!

Clifton Lock - just perfect!

The Cherwell Valley Line operates on these tracks between Didcot Parkway & Banbury

Culham Lock

After the final major bend in the river today, Abingdon is in the background

St Helen's Church Abingdon

Abingdon Bridge

Well earned pint at the Nag's Head