River Thames

Oxford

The Thames is 215 miles long. On this page I describle only the area of Oxford and upstream the end of the navigatable part near Lechlade. As far as I know Oxford is the only place in Britain where you can make a circle in one day. It is known as the Oxford Circuit. There are more streams around Oxford, but only suitable for playboats.

Canoe rentals for multi-day trips at Thames Canoes in Maidenhead (between Oxford and Windsor). Phone +44 (0) 845 519 0157 or +44 (0) 1628 478 787.

River Thames near Oxford with the grasslands Port Meadow in the background.

1. The Oxford Circuit: a round trip of 12.6 km.

No kayak rentals. Before you go make sure there are no extreme river conditions. Usually the Thames is a very quiet and slow running river. It is easy to paddle upstream. But after a period of heavy rainfall in the area upstream water levels may rise, towpads and even the grasslands Port Meadow get completely flooded. Avoid navigating the river then.

Mapmyride: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/united-kingdom/oxford/589210803

Starting point. Actually there's only one place where you can park along the water and have good access for launching a kayak, at the parking place in Wolvercote. There is plenty of free parking space and public toilets. Just mind the hight barrier of 2.2 meters. I just could go under it with the kayak on the roof, but with an SUV you won't. 

From the starting point you go downstream. On your left you see Port Meadow, a common grazing ground since 1086. Keep to the right side of there are rowing boats. When you come at a marine keep to the right and go under the round bridge. A little further on you come at an intersection. To the right (a bit hidden under the trees) is Osney Stream. There is a chain across the water, but you can pass it. Take the boat out at the weir. After the weir is a place that was a swimming pool until 1990 named Tumbling Bay. It is a beautiful place for a (lunch)break.

If you go straight on you come after a short distance at the lock Osney Locks. 

The Oxford Circuit goes to the left under the white round bridge. After a railroad bridge you see Isis Lock that brings you to the Oxford Canal. After Isis Lock you go straight on and follow the Oxford Canal. It mostly goes passed the city and you only see some back-gardens of the houses. After Wolvercote Lock you go under the highway, and then turn left into Duke´s Cut. You pass Duke´s Lock and then turn right. Keep right and then turn left to King´s Lock. This is a very nice place. There is a shelter, and information about the area is available. At the lower side of the lock is a floating platform where you can launch the kayak. If you´re lucky you can pass through the lock with another boat. After the lock there are a few sharp bend in the river. After you went under a highway bridge you keep right and you come at Godstow Lock. On the right side are the remains of Godstow Nunnery . After the locks you turn left to the starting point.

Links: 

River Thames

Oxford

Oxford

Tumbling Bay

Isis Lock

Oxford Canal

1. The Thames near Lechlade.

Canoe rentals at Park End Wharf in Lechlade.

GPS: St. John's Lock: Lat.: 51.6889, Lon. -1.6793

Starting points: 

From Lechlade you can go downstream. There are almost no houses or roads near the river, so you can enjoy the nature and the silence. Some distances downstream from St. John´s Lock: Buscot Lock 1.8 km; Grafton Lock 7 km; Radcot Lock 10.5 km; Rushie Lock 14.2 km; Tadpole Bridge 15.5 km. 

Upstream you pass the  Half Penny Bridge at Lechlade. After the marina you will seldom see another boat. Officially the Thames is navigatable till The Round House. This is where the river Coln joins the Thames (no access) and. The Round House was the lock-keepers house for the locks to the former Thames Severn Canal. Here the river becomes narrower and there is more current. With some efford, af if river conditions allow it, you can go upstream as far as Hammington Bridge near Kempsford. It is really beautiful to go there. You really get a wilderness feeling and see a lot of kingfishers.

Distances upstream form St. John´s Lock: Lechlade (Half Penny Bridge) 1 km; The Round House 2 km; Hammington Bridge 7.7 km.

St. John's Lock near Lechlade

Downstream of Lechlade

The Thames at The Round House, officially the end of navigation, but by kayak you can go much further upstream.

In the UK you have to have permission by the owner of the waterway before you can take your kayak into the water. British Waterways owns about 2000 miles of canals and other waterways in the UK. For access to the waterways owned by BW you need a licence and a third party liability insurance. To obtain permission to access the canals you best become a member of the British Canoe Union. Membership costs £32,75 a year (2009) for adult recreational paddlers and includes permission to the waterways of British Waterways, the neccessary insurance and the bi-monthly magazine Canoefocus. For cycling on the towpaths you need a permit. You can obtain this for free at http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling.

From the lock-keeper you can obtain a licence for one day paddling on the Thames.

Recommended literature: Nicholson Guide to the Waterways (part 1): "Grand Union, Oxford & the South East", and (part 7): "River Thames & the Southern Waterways".