Thames trail

[Harlan Sager]

I would like to know if any Camino trekkers have also done the Thames Trail in England and their thoughts and recommendations.

 

[Johnlewis47]

I’m planning a Thames Trail walk later this year, having completed a number of trek challenges in the last 18 months. It’s only going to be a short one of 100km, but it’ll be a good walk.

 

[jsalt]

I would like to know if any Camino trekkers have also done the Thames Trail in England and their thoughts and recommendations.

I did about 3 days of it last year – couldn’t afford any more as the accommodation is so expensive. Really enjoyed it as we had fabulous weather, and it’s very easy walking.

 

[Introibo]

I also walked for three days prior to my Camino. From Hampton Court Palace to Greenwich.
As Jill said, the cost of staying in London limited the days we spent on it. We also had good
weather which always helps.
The walking is obviously predominantly on the level. Lots and lots of history and interesting
places to visit along the way. If I was doing this again I'd stop walking at the Tower of London
and take one of the tourist boats down to Greenwich.
I bought two guide books. The Cicerone which I found to be very dry and one by Phoebe Clapham which was excellent.

 

[AlwynWellington]

@Harlan Sager , kia ora (greetings and good health)

I walked Thames Path over many weeks in June and July 2016.

I note the comments about expensive acomodation costs. This is true in all those parts of the UK I have visited.

To keep costs down I stayed some of the time with my London family and did a section a day, returning to base.

For some I used backpacker hostels - still not cheap but easier than bed and breakfasts - no funny rules or a late (refined) breakfast hour.

And for the sections from the source to Windsor I used my lightweight tent. I also noted the days before Oxford were a bit repetitive - one can only admire so many paddocks with livestock munching cotentedly. So, on the last two of those four days I walked the road on the "other" bank and saw some real people in their own villages and a variety of churches.

Hope that helps. Be pleased to answer specific questions

 

[gheggie]

I've walked a middle section from Wallingford to Hampton Court - about 70 miles over a couple of weekends.
IMO this stretch is one of the best of the Thames Path as a whole. I would recommend it - walking is easy, scenery good and plenty places to stop and take on sustenance. As above, accommodation is not cheap but you can get good value if you take the time to look around. I would thoroughly recommend it.

 

[David Tallan]

An excellent question to which you might get more replies if you post it in the "Other Pilgrimage Routes" forum than the "Equipment Questions" forum. Unless you are thinking that the Thames Trail requires different equipment than a camino and are asking about what equipment to bring. Just a thought.