15. Dorchester to Abingdon
Dorchester lies on high ground across fields from the Thames. The three miles between Day’s Lock and Clifton Hampden is along flood meadows and therefore liable to be occasionally under water in winter. The full nine miles is a lonely stretch with only one riverside village although there are pubs in nearby hidden villages.
Refreshments
Dorchester: Abbey Tea Rooms. Wed & Thu from mid-May; weekends & Bank Holidays from the Easter weekend to Sept; 3pm-5.15pm or earlier if cake runs out.
Clifton Hampden: The Barley Mow, Right Bank. Chef & Brewer meals. 11am-11pm (Sun 12-10.30pm).
Culham: The Lion Inn. Bar snacks. Open basic hours and often all day summer weekends.
Sutton Courtenay: The Fish. Opposite entry into village. 12-3pm & 6-11pm (Sun 7-10.30pm)
Accommodation
Clifton Hampden: camping at Bridge House Caravan Site, Bridge House, OX14 3EH (01865 407725).
Sutton Courtenay: The Fish, 4 Appleford Road OX14 4NQ (01235 848242).
Sutton Courtenay: Bekynton House, 7 The Green, OX14 4AE (01235 848888). suecornwall@aol.com
Transport
Dorchester: National Rail to Oxford or Cholsey then bus 105 (Thames Travel 01491 837988).
Abingdon: Bus X3 (Oxford Bus Company 01865 785400) to Oxford then National Rail.
Tourist Information
Abingdon: 25 Bridge Street, OX14 3HN (01235 522711).
Map
OS Explorer 170 (Abingdon).
