The Thames Path by Leigh Hatts

The confusion about which stretches of path are open on the west side of the Greenwich Peninsula continues.

I have found Delta Wharf open but here is the latest view from campaigning locals.

See pages 15 and 16.

Having posted earlier today about the Tunnel House Inn here are some directions for the mile walk to pub from the Thames Source.

From the stone at the Thames Source continue ahead below the bank (right).

Go through the gateway with a stile ahead to follow the field boundary (right) to a second gate where there is a ladderstile. After a third gate and ladderstile, the way is enclosed. On reaching a bridge over a dry canal do not cross but go left along the towpath.

Soon after running under the Kemble- Gloucester railway line, the path passes a round house. Follow the path under a road bridge to the Sapperton Tunnel.

The towpath ends in front of the Tunnel House Inn.

If you have spare time having arrived at the source I recommend walking ahead and left along the former canal to the Tunnel House Inn.

Christopher Middleton has rightly given it a rave review in today’s Daily Telegraph.

I don’t mention it in the Thames Path guide although maybe a I should in future. The route from the source features in Pub Walks Along the Thames Path (Countryside Books) if you can still find  a copy.

See page 213.

Lechlade’s market square has a real market on Thursday 17 June.

It’s always worth turning into the town over Halfpenny Bridge but for once there

will be “fresh local food” immediately ahead from 8.30am to 1pm.

See page 194.

The summer issue of Thames Guardian, the River Thames Society‘s magazine, has a

reminder that  Shillingford Bridge is being restored this summer.

The Thames Path runs up the side of the bridge when it leaves the towpath to pass

through the hamlet.

Stonemasons are working on the bridge’s arches and attractive parapet which means that

pontoons and scaffolding are being used.

The bridge was completed in 1827 to succeed several timber crossings on the line of

the old Shilling ford.

The confusion over the path closure just downstream of Greenwich continues.

As I reported earlier, some of the path is sometimes open and the diversion is not signposted.

Walk London has posted a diversion map which may help.

Yesterday Surrey Docks Farm opened its new cafe offering full meals and light refreshments. The operating hours are Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm.

The very welcome cafe launch comes just ahead of the Spring Fair this Saturday 22 May. Open from 10am to 5pm.

There are lots of attractions planned but the big event of the day is the opening of the Thames Path within the farm. New gates at the east end will also be formally opened.

The path is to be available for use Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm at first but eventually it will be open daily during daylight hours at least.

On Saturday the new farm manager Barry Mason will be there to welcome both walkers and cyclists.

See page 21.

The news that the Museum of Docklands has abolished admission charges needs to be spread.

Free admission started this month and there is much Thames history to be found there.

The Museum is on West India Quay which is a short walk from West India Quay Station and Canary Wharf Station.

Open 10am-6pm.

In September last year I reported that the link path from Shiplake’s Mill Road to the towpath will be reopened following an inquiry.

Since then there has been an appeal by a landowner heard at the High Court.

The judges dismissed the application and today I have been told by Dave Ramm of the local Rambers’ Association that the path is now “secure as a public right of way”.

Oxford County Council can now make the path available for use and add waymarking. Eventually this will become part of the official Thames Path leaving the existing route from Mill Road to Shiplake Lock to become a short cut.

Further information on progress this summer will appear here soon.

See page 121.

I have just caught up with Peter Marshall’s pictures of the Thames Path around Wallingford on Easter Eve.

If you have not walked into Wallingford recently you will find the pictures of the Oxford University Boat Club’s new boathouse.