Out and About Spring 2021

Our local stretch Steve works with West Berkshire Council, which is very supportive of the Thames Path. “They helped fund a new boardwalk across a particularly wet section near Purley, and ensured fallen trees blocking the Trail were removed in time for one of the large running events to take place. “They also supported surface improvement works and river bank restoration projects in Streatley,” says Steve. Historic highway Historic attractions along the Thames Path, or a short detour off it, include the National Trust’s Runnymede with its monument to the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215, and memorials to John F Kennedy and the Allied Air Forces of the Second World War. Downstream are Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens, one of four UNESCO World Looking under the bridge to Goring Lock

Ness. This estuarine route reveals wide dunes and marshland at low tide. The Trail continues past Crossness Pumping Station and the RSPB’s nature reserve along the coast to Erith Saltings, where recent surge tides have washed away silt to reveal a submerged primeval forest. Some Thames Path walkers even reach Grain, a remote village that was once militarised because it offers such good vantage points across the estuary. Steve is looking forward to officially extending the Thames Path to Grain, hopefully later this year. “Subject to variation and creation orders, the Thames Path will join with the Thames English Coast Path at Woolwich Foot tunnel. It means that we will finally complete the long- aspired-for 215-mile National Trail from the source of the River Thames to the sea.” Looking after the Thames Path Natural England is the organisation that provides funding from Defra to keep the National Trails promoted and maintained. Additional support comes from partner organisations including the Environment Agency, Port of London Authority, Thames Estuary Partnership, the NFU, The Ramblers, Cycling UK and the London Thames Strategies. Volunteers carrying out repairs at Sandford Picture: Andy Mawer

Heritage Sites on the Thames Path. Tick off Westminster Palace and the Tower of London before you reach Maritime Greenwich. The Thames is sometimes called the Liquid Highway because it’s been the main trading route into and out of England since pre-Roman times. Through London the Thames Path runs along both north and south banks of the river, which is tidal from Teddington Weir to the sea. Twice a day sea-water flows in through the city, mixing with the river water flowing downstream to create the perfect habitats for seals, salmon, eels and gulls. The Thames Path currently finishes (or begins, depending on which direction you’re walking it) at the Thames Barrier in Greenwich. To the sea There’s an extension to the Thames Path from Woolwich to Crayford

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