How to walk from Oxford to Abingdon: Thames Path Day 5

Today I would be walking the next section on my river walking journey, from Oxford to Abingdon. The day didn’t start out well though. I left much later than I had panned, and then my train was delayed which meant me missing my connecting train. Basically, I arrived in Oxford quite late in the day. In order to get home before dark, I would need to walk fast.

It also wasn’t until I was on the train that I realised I left my lunch at home. I was annoyed for a moment, before I remembered that Oxford station has an M&S. I try to avoid shopping there (Unsuccessfully though. I often make up reasons to shop there), but today I had a guilt free reason to do so.

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What to expect on the walk from Oxford to Abingdon

I had expected todays walk from Oxford to Abingdon to busier than the previous sections, and it was in parts. The first half of the walk I would say was quite civilised. First on path, then through some fields and on dirt trails. People about (although much less than I was expecting given how hot today was).

Looking across the river to stone and brick walled buildings and a yellow tower building on the walk out of Oxford towards Abingdon. There are bushes and a big tree to the left of the buildings.

A walking path on the right, and river to the left on the walk out of Oxford towards Abingdon. There is a strip of tall green grass between the path and river. There are barges moored to the side of the river.

Looking along the river, to some buildings on the left and overhanging bushy trees to the right, on the walk from Oxford to Abingdon.

A grass field, with the river on the left and boats moored to the other side. There are tall tufts of grass in the field.

There were lots of people on the water, kayakers, rowers…..lots of rowers training, giving off an air of poshness.

Looking across the river in Oxford to rowers in a rowing boat, and rowing buildings on the other side.

The second half of the walk is a totally different walk. Wild and ‘remote’. It felt more reminiscent of the first few days along the along the Thames Path..but still not the same.

A dirt path leading towards a wooden bridge all partially engulfed by bushes and trees on the walk towards Abingdon from Oxford.

A dirt trail through a bush and tree tunnel on the walk from Oxford to Abingdon.

Looking through a gap in the bushes and trees to the river and a small house on the other side on the walk from Oxford to Abingdon.

Looking over the yellow flowers to the river and two kayakers on the walk from Oxford to Abingdon. One kayak is yellow, and the other is red. There is a mass of trees behind the kayakers on the other side of the river.

One thing that had been going through my mind was how the walk between Oxford and Abingdon just wasn’t the same. I missed those first few days. The remoteness. The big fields with the river flowing through. That feeling like you were so far away from everything. Even though the second half of the walk between Oxford and Abingdon was more like it, I was very aware that civilisation wasn’t far away.

Abingdon-on-Thames

Arriving in Abingdon was a nice surprise. I didn’t know anything about the place, and as I approached, the thought that went through my mind was ‘what a lovely town’. A shame I wasn’t spending the night here.

Looking down along the river, with the pub beer garden to the left and a massive green leafy tree.

Looking along the water to a three archway bridge in Abingdon at the end of the walk from Oxford. The water is lined with stone walls and lots of mushes and trees overhanging. There are house on the left side and rooftops visible past the bridge ahead.

Since looking it up, I can see it claims to be the oldest town in England, with Morris dancers and is famous for bun throwing, a 250 year old tradition. The Abingdon county hall museum is rather impressive, with its huge arches. It used to be the town hall, built in the late 1600’s. If you want go inside, it’s free entry with suggested donations. They suggest £2 per adult, and £1 per child.

The tall town hall with big arches in Abingdon.

Logistics

Start: Oxford, Oxfordshire.
Finish: Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
Distance: 9.9 miles

Time: 3h at a fast pace. So allow longer.
Terrain: Path, grass, dirt trail.
Difficulty: Easy

Dog friendly: Yes
Time of year: I walked from Oxford to Abingdon in late May

Read the previous day: Newbridge to Oxford Day4

Public Transport

Oxford has a train station with direct trains from London Paddington, 50min journey.

From Abingdon you can get a bus back to Oxford. There are two buses. The 44 bus takes you nearer to the train station in Oxford, it’s a 40ish min journey and the buses run hourly. The 35 bus takes you about 10min walk away from the station and it’s a 45min journey, these buses are every 30min.

Alternatively you could get the 33 bus from Abingdon towards Henley. Get off at Didcot Parkway, (which is a 30min journey), which has a train station with direct trains to London Paddington. Doing this will cost more money though, as you would need to buy two singles, one to Oxford and one back from Didcot.

Accommodation

I didn’t spend the night as it was cheaper for me to go back home to London, but in Oxford you have tonnes of options as it’s a large town. For cheap you could stay at Central Backpackers, which is pet friendly. If you can’t bare the thought of a youth hostel, there are plenty of other options which you can find here.

In Abingdon, the cheapest I could find (rooms under £100) is the Kingfisher Barn Bed and Breakfast. It does look quite lovely, with garden views. Also Pet friendly.

Amenities

Oxford: Anything you could need in Oxford, and a handy M&S in the train station.

Abingdon: The Nags Head pub is the first place you will see when you arrive. It looked great, and smelled even better. I was gutted I couldn’t stay. In the town centre there are a number of other eateries, including a Mexican restaurant. There is a Waitrose and boots nearby if you are spending the night and need some supplies.

Along the route: For the first 4 miles there are a few places you can stop for food or drink. On the very first bit of path there is a small riverside pub called the Punter. It looked nice from the outside. At the Folly Bridge about 1 mile in there is a restaurant, and over the bridge is a coffee shop called the Paper Boat Cafe. I didn’t stop there, but it’s got great reviews. I would come here if I wanted some coffee. I like a good coffee shop. At the 4 mile mark is The Kings Arms pub. It looked nice, in a nice setting. Lots of people which is usually a sign of a good food establishment. After this when the path become more remote, there isn’t anything until you reach Abingdon.

Map for the walk from Oxford to Abingdon-on-Thames

Route description: Walk from Oxford to Abingdon-on-Thames

Out of the station at Oxford, I tried to rejoin the path where I had left off, by turning left. However, I was mortified to discover the route was closed off. Flooding apparently. But I was just here, and it’s not rained since.

A path on the right and black railings on the left with a broken sign saying towpath closed.

I looked past the wall barrier and could see no flooding. I decided I would go past the barrier, but this was not possible so I reluctantly made my way back to the station. This mistake cost me 20min. I would have to power walk the rest of the way to make up time.

So….

Out of the station, don’t go down the steps. Turn right before them, and then along a walkway bridge thing. You’re going to do a sort of loop now. Turn left, then left again, so you are walking on the road under the bridge.

A pavement with wall on the left and white contraction barrier on the right. There is a bridge ahead and people walking under it.

Keep going to reach the river, then cross over and turn left onto the little bridge to get down onto the path. Then turn right so you are walking away from the bridge (river to your left).

Looking along the river in Oxford, with a strip of green and a path on the right side. There is a road to the right of it with a row of red walled houses.

A path leading under overhanging tree branches with the river to the left and a moored barge, at the start of the walk out of Oxford towards Abingdon.

Follow the path

At first you will be walking through a residential type area. I looked at the cute house facades on the right and wondered how much it would cost to live there. Probably a lot.

Passing by the first lock, there were a couple of kayakers waiting for it to open. I’ve never seen this before, and it turned out to not be the last I saw today.

A path on the right and river to the left with a lock ahead. There are two kayakers waiting to get into the lock. There are hedges on the other side of the river and buildings past them.

The path then becomes a bit more green and lush, passing by barges moored to the side.

Looking along the river lined with massive green leafy trees and bushes when walking from Oxford to Abingdon. There is a boat coming along the river.

A path lined with masses of green leafy bushes and trees.

The path just visible on the left with the river on the right. There is a blue barge moored to this side and white barge moored to the other. The river is also lined with lots of green trees and tall grass.

What struck me was how out of Oxford, it was all a bit chaotic, but along here everything calmed down. Despite it being a wonderful day, there were way less people on the trail than I expected. Back home in London, the river path would be packed.

A path on the right and river on the left. The path is lined with tall grass and green bushes on both sides. There are overhanging tree branches on the right. There are masses of green leafy trees on the other side of the river.

A white swan in the river, with a row of houses on the other side.

After the road crossing, the next section was a bit more lively. Rowers, kayakers…although most foot traffic seemed to be on the green on the other side.

Two people sitting in a kayak in the middle of the river.

A path leading straight ahead, with bushes and trees on the right, and the river on the left. There are barges moored to the side.

The last bit of path

As you approach the next lock, stay straight, then cross over the bridge to pick up the path on the other side.

Looking over a wooden curved bridge, with some cyclists walking over it.

Then after a bit more path and greenery, you will reach the field (Iffy meadows).

A wide path on the right, with a strip of tall grass to the left and the river on the left of it. There is a stand up paddle border and a kayaker in the river. There is a person walking along the path.

A metal bridge with big stilts and metal arches on top, crossing the river. The bridge leads into a mass of leafy trees on the other side.

the path leading to a metal gate and fence with a large green grass field on the other side. There is a pylon in the field ahead with wires running across the top of the frame.

I didn’t quite know what the walk from Oxford to Abingdon would entail, but I was starting to suspect it would be easy path walking the whole way. It is not. The path is over now, and the rest of the route (bar a few short bits) right up to Abingdon, is grass or dirt trail.

Walk across Iffy Meadows, more trail, and the pub

Walk across the field, following the river….Maybe admire the grand house on the other side.

A large grass field with two people walking ahead.

Looking over the tall grass to the river and a grand white walled and red roofed house on the other side, on the walk from Oxford to Abingdon.

On the other end of the field, you will be on a dirt trail. Then when you reach the bridge, cross over to pick up the trail on the other side.

The path leading ahead on the right, with the river on the left. There is a metal bridge over the river ahead. The path is lined with tall grass on the left and bushes and trees on the right.

A path on the left lined with tall grass, and leading towards a mass of green leafy trees. The river is on the right.

Looking over the river with reflections of the red brick walled grand house on the green on the other side.

When you reach Sanford Lock, there is a nice looking pub on the other side (the Kings Arms). It was lively, so must be good. This is the 4 mile mark on the walk between Oxford and Abingdon. If you are hungry and fancy a stop, then this would be a nice place. It is also the last place before reaching Abingdon. It was also noticeable a lot busier around here.

Looking along the river to a red moored barge and white walled pub building on the other side, on the walk from Oxford to Abingdon.

Past the lock, it’s a proper path again for a bit. Cross the bridge then turn left through the rugged car parking area…

A path on the right with a green bank to the left and river on the left of it. There is a hedge on the right side of the path. There are a few boats moored to the right side of the river ahead.

A wide path leading ahead over a bridge. There is a green to the right and red and white tape blocking the green. There are a few big trees on the green. — Left turn after this bridge

and then everything changes….

The wild

Up until now, the walk had felt quite civilised. Even when the path ended and the trail turned to grass and dirt, it was still very neat. Walkers, sunbathers, and families about.

Now everything becomes a bit more wild and remote feeling. Much much less people. Barely anyone in fact. Just one person (and two kayakers) until I reached Abingdon.

A barely visible trail leading through the tall grass, lined with tall leafy bushes.

A trail snaking through the tall grass, with a wooden trail signpost on the left side.

A dirt trail leading ahead and surrounded by green leafy bushes and trees. There are two big tree trunks on the left side.

It was quite a shock actually. It almost felt like I was doing two completely different walks. Overgrowth, tall unkempt grass, big fields.

A grass trail through the field with the river to the left. The other side of the river is lined with masses of green leafy trees.

A dirt trail leading ahead to a tree tunnel on the walk from Oxford to Abingdon. There is a big tree overhanging the trail.

Looking through the yellow flowers to the river and a mass of green leafy trees on the other side when walking from Oxford to Abingdon.

Looking over the tall grass to a bridge ahead.

There is the occasional neat bit, to remind you that this isn’t really that remote.

A neatly cute green with a sign saying 'private rafts' and the river behind it. There are lots of bushes and trees on the other side of the water.

The confusing bit

As you are nearing the end, there is a section which is a little confusing. It’s well signposted so don’t worry about that. It’s more a hit at your bearings.

A wooden stump trail post with white cone and yellow arrow pointing ahead along a trail through the grass, towards some bushes and trees ahead.

First off, there is a muddy section (it had been very hot weather for a while and it was still muddy and wet), then the trail sort of loops you away from the river for a short moment. Once back it feels like you are walking in the wrong direction. I was so confused and had to check my map. This is correct so trust the process!

A wide muddy dirt path under through the dark woods. There is light shine sown ahead past the trees.

After the little wooden bridge, at the junction with the trail sign, stay straight. This will lead you to the next junction and Abingdon lock.

A wooden platform path on the left and wooden bridge ahead on the right, all surrounded by tall grass and bushes.

A wooden trail signpost pointing left and right for the Thames Path. The sign is surround bye green leafy trees and bushes.

A dirt trial leading ahead, lined with green leafy bushes on both sides, and trees on the left.

The final stretch of the walk from Oxford to Abingdon

At the end of this trail follow the signs to the left, to walk over the bridge. It will probably be a lot busier now. A sign you are approaching civilisation.