Updates

The Great Globe made at Greenwich and now at Durlston Head in Dorset has been steamed cleaned for the first time. The cleaning of the Portland stone carving was undertaken by stonemason Ian Viney. Pictures of the Great Globe looking as new as when it stood by the Thames in 1887 have been published by […]

The Waverley paddle steamer has arrived at Swanage on her way to London. She will be coming up the River Thames on Saturday evening 23 September. An unexpected easterly wind prevented a planned berthing at Poole Quay last night but today in perfect weather the steamer moored at Swanage Pier. There she was opposite the […]

Tuesday 4 July is the 400th anniversary of the death of composer William Byrd. His music is often heard in churches today and will be at Westminster Cathedral on his anniversary but both its survival and his are remarkable since he was very sympathetic to Roman Catholics. It was fortunate that Queen Elizabeth appreciated his […]

The closure of the Thames Path across Benson Weir has resulted in a diversion to the left bank and away from the water between Wallingford Bridge and Benson. FERRY When earlier this month Clare Balding walked out of Wallingford for her BBC Radio 4 Ramblings programme she had to follow the road diversion as far […]

Temple Bridge, a vital link upstream of Marlow, has suddenly been closed following an inspection by the Environment Agency. Part of the structure is deemed to be unsafe and the closure is expected to continue all summer. Also closed are the crossing at Benson and timber towpath at Henley’s Marsh Lock which suggests that after […]

It is confirmed that the ferry at Benson, replacing the closed weir crossing for walkers, is running 9am to 5pm daily. Those walking upstream on the towpath from Wallingford will find a notice at Benson Lock displaying the phone number to call the ferry service. The ferry point is just upstream of the lock where […]

A new edition of the Cicerone guide Walking the Thames Path is now available. There are many new photographs and new points of interest such as Truss’s Island, named after the former prime minister’s ancestor, and Agatha Christie’s favourite riverside walk behind her house. New refreshment stops highlighted include The Medley next to Medley Bridge […]

A ferry boat named Ferret will operate at Benson from Sunday 7 May. This service is being introduced whilst the foot crossing at Benson Lock is closed. Repair which has yet to commence is expected to take some time. The ferry is to run upstream of the lock daily from 8am to 6pm; tickets £2 […]

LATEST: On Wed 5 April Thames Path National Trail office said that the path is open. Updates expected from Network Rail over coming days. ************************************************************************* The Thames Path is closed under Nuneham Railway Bridge. The bridge is thought to have developed a structural fault, maybe due to flooding, and trains have stopped crossing the river. […]

Walkers on the Thames Path over the past week at dusk have been noticing the spire on Rotherhithe Church tower lit up. It is also being seen from some distance away including by those crossing London and Tower Bridges. The unannounced switch-on had been long planned and is made possible by the US Embassy downstream […]