How to walk from Lechlade to Newbridge: Thames Path Day 3

Todays walk takes you from the small historic town of Lechlade-on-Thames to Newbridge which is one of two oldest surviving bridges along the Thames. It’s from the 13th century.

I was actually dreading todays walk. At 16.5 miles it would be the longest so far on my journey along the Thames Path. I had a stinking cold. Plus, there was a big rain dump last night and I feared lots of bog and flooded fields….

What to expect when walking from Lechlade to Newbridge

The walk from Lechlade to Newbridge turned out to be the easiest. By this point, the river was now fully established so it was super easy to navigate. You just have to follow the river. And (apart from the end and one mistake in the middle) the terrain was actually quite nice. No bog. Mostly grassy and dirt trail. It felt quite civilised, in a rugged way.

The river on the right, and grass field on the left on the walk from Lechlade to Newbridge. — Most of the way looked something like this

I also found this section to be the prettiest so far. It’s quite remote, but every so often there would be a pretty bridge, quaint buildings, locks (lots of locks today), and more war pillboxes than I can remember.

Looking over the unkempt messy grass to the river with boats moored to the side ahead, on the walk from Lechlade to Newbridge. There are masses of trees lining the3 river ahead.

The river with a cute arched bridge across it ahead, on the walk from Lechlade to Newbridge. There is a hose on the other side of the river with trees with green, orange and red leaves.

A wooden bridge over the river, and white walled house on the other side, partway through the walk from Lechlade to Newbridge. There are tree branches with green leaves hanging in the frame.

Looking across the river to the other side with bushes and buildings surround with red and green leafed trees, part way through the walk from Lechlade to Newbridge. There are two barges moored to the other side.

Looking across the river to a large green grass field and pillbox in the middle of it.

For the whole 16+ mile walk from Lechlade to Newbridge, I passed about 3 people on the trail, one kayaker, and one swimmer.

A kayaker on the river partway through the walk between Lechlade and Newbridge. The river leads straight ahead and is lined with masses of green and white leafy bushes and trees.

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Logistics for the walk from Lechlade to Newbridge

Start: Lechlade on Thames, Gloucestershire, GL7 3AQ.
Finish: Newbridge, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 7QD.
Distance: 16.5 miles

Time: 5h 45min
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Mostly grass, a bit of mud, some dirt trail, lots of bridges.

Dog friendly: Yes
Public transport: Nothing in Newbridge. In Lechlade, the 64 bus gets you to Swindon where there is a train station. There are only about 4 a day though. If you are coming from Swindon to the start, the morning bus to Lechlade is at 9:05 am (at the time of writing).
Time of year: I walked from Lechlade to Newbridge in early May.

Amenities: Lechlade has a few places to eat (pubs/cafes/returants) and a Budgens. Newbridge has two places to eat. The Rose Revived and the Maybush pub. En route, 1 mile in is the Trout Inn. 6.5 miles in at Radcot Bridge is the Ye Old Swan pub. 10.5 miles in is the Trout at Tadpole Bridge.

Read yesterdays walk: Cricklade to Lechlade day 2

Accommodation

In Lechlade I stayed at The Riverside. It’s a pub with separate accommodation. It did the job, and the setting is lovely. For camping you can stay at the Bridge House campsite which is on the other side of the bridge.

Looking down to the river with the Riverside pub on the right side, in Lechlade. There is a red barge moored to the side.

In Newbridge I stayed at The Rose Revived. I picked it because it was the only option. This was my most expensive of the trip, but it was the nicest. It’s not pet friendly, so if you need that, then you could stop 6 miles back at the Trout at Tadpole Bridge. It’s a bed and breakfast with bar and restaurant, and very fancy looking. Or at the Barefoot Campsite about 2 miles past Newbridge.

A pub covered in green ivy, and tables and benches in front with cream closed parasols. — The Rose Revived

Map for the walk from Lechlade to Newbridge

Route description: Walk from Lechlade-on-Thames to Newbridge

Now, I know I mentioned earlier that you can just follow the river the whole way. Well, there is one section later on that could be a little confusing, and there was one detour where the path was closed. I describe all below.

From Lechlade, the Thames Path is on the opposite side of the bridge to the Riverside pub. Although, for me today, the path was closed off. Not a great start. There is information telling you where to walk for the detour, but there aren’t many signs along the way.

Looking through an arch under the bridge to a green grass field on the other side. There is a metal gate blocking the walkway with white signs on it.

If it’s closed when you are there, what you want to do is walk towards the town, and turn right.

Looking across the street to cream and beige walled buildings lining the other side. — Turn right here

Then walk on the path through the church. This is the Parish Church, built in the 1940’s.

A paved path leading through a grave yard with headstones on the neatly cut green grass on either side, and big trees lining the path with bushy branches.

At the little road, cross over, then go straight some more. It’s actually very pretty along here, so I forgave the path for making me detour.

A dirt trial leading straight ahead surrounded by masses of green leafy bushes and trees at the start of the walk from Lechlade to Newbridge.

At the main road, if you turn right, there is a sign directing you onto the road opposite. Walk along that for a bit, to reach another sign directing you onto a trail on the right.

The road leading ahead on the left, and green leafy bushes on the right with a few road and tree signs nestled in the bushes. — Turn left here

A road leading ahead, with bushes to the right and a stone walled house on the left.

The road leading ahead on the left, with bushes and trees to the right. There is a trail sign on the right, pointing right off the road. — Turn right here

Follow this all the way to the end and you will reach the River Thames where you turn left.

A trail gently winding ahead, lined with green leafy bushes and tree trunks. The tree trunks on the left side are covered in green ivy.

Walk along the river

The path now is grassy, the river is wide, very winding, and surrounded by fields. The first of many pillboxes comes up quite quickly.

Looking along the river with bushes on the left and a yellow field on the right.

A grass path leading to the ruins of a pillbox. The River is on the right side. There is a headless tree in front of the pillbox.

Then soon after you will reach your first lock. Buscot Lock. Walk through it, going over the first bridge, but then staying on this side.

A big blue arrow sign saying 'Lock' pointing ahead to the right across the river. There are speed boats moored to the other side, and a few buildings behind them.

A lock with a black timber hut with white frames on the other side, There is neatly cute grass on this side. There are green leafy trees ahead on the other side of the lock.

Next there is more grassy path, passing by more pillboxes, a cute bridge, some boats, and maybe pretty flowers (in spring).

Looking over the tall grass and white flowers to the river, and boats moored to the other side when walking from Lechlade to Newbridge.

A grass trail through the field with a dark brown pillbox ahead on the right.

A trail on the left, lined with grass, and the river on the right. Ahead, the river us lined with green leafy bushes and trees.

At the dirt road, turn right keeping to the river, then back into the fields.

A wooden trail sign saying 'Thames Path Public footpath', pointing right and back. It is surrounded by green leaves of bushes and trees.

A dirt track with a few puddles leading ahead, lined with bushes and grass.

Some more pillboxes and grass path in fields later you will reach the next lock.

The river on the right and grass field on the left. There are bushes and trees on the right side of the river.

A large grass field with a pillbox ahead covered in ivy.

A wide path with a river lock on the right, and brown hut with white frames on the left. There are plants in the middle of the path and lining the right side.

Radcot Bridge

Then, you guessed it, it’s more fields and pillboxes to reach Radcot Bridge. It’s a cute little village. I mean, I didn’t explore anywhere, but from what I could see from the path it looked cute.

A trail through the tall grass, with green leafy bushes on the left and right, and a partially hidden pillbox ahead on the left.

Overgrown unkempt grass ahead, with the river on the right, and bushes ahead.

At the bridge, pick up the path on the other side of the river….or stop at the Swan for a drink.

Looking down to a wall with a metal gate, and a big red leafed tree on the right and river on the left. There is a trail sign in front of the red leafed tree. There is a boat moored to the side of the river, and a car park with parked cars behind the tree.

The next bridge is amusing. It’s weak, and large groups mustn’t walk over it. Fine for me.

A wooden gate leading over a bridge with a sign that says 'weak bridge'. The river is on the left, and a grass field is visible past the bridge on the right.

It’s now more of the same to reach the next lock. Radcot Lock.

Looking along the wide river, surround by green grass fields.

Neatly cute green grass on the right, and the river leading to a lock on the left. There are lock buildings on the other side.

The winding river and the halfway point

At the next wooden bridge, stay on this side of the river.

A wide path on the right and unkempt grass on the left. There is as bridge on the far left over the river.

Now the river really starts to wind, and I realised I didn’t need to wind with it. I felt quite chuffed, cutting corners but not really cheating because I’m still following the river.

A large grass field on the right with a narrow trail through it, and the river on the left. There is a group of trees ahead with white flowers.

It worked out quite well for a bit, that is until one of the fields I was cutting across decided to become boggy. I was deep in it and didn’t want to waste the time I saved by walking back, so soldiered on, feet now almost fully submerged in bog. There was no saving my wet feet now.

Somewhere along here is also the halfway point in the walk from Lechlade to Newbridge.

A narrow dirt trail leading to a metal gate. There is a big tree on the right with the tree branches hanging over the gate. the river is on the left.

Looking across the wide calm river, with two swans in the middle when walking to Newbridge from Lechlade. There is a lot of green surrounding the river, with grass, trees and bushes.

The road

At the next lock (Rushey Lock), the trail I found a little confusing. The sign directs you over the bridge and to a road, however, I could see on the map a riverside trail on this side. I debated which to take but decided to stay official. You could try out this side, but I don’t know what you will find. I’m learning from past mistakes where I make my own rules and regret it.

Looking across the river to a bridge on the right with red signs on it. There is a stone walled building on the other side. There are reflections in the river. Past the bridge are masses of trees.

Now, following the sign over the bridge, the next one tells you to turn right, but that’s a dead end. Instead, curve around the left side of the building to reach the road.

A wooden stump sign with yellow acorn, and a backdrop of a stone walled building. — This sign is lying

The next sign tells you to walk through these woods next to the river. I attempted it, but it was way too rugged and there didn’t seem to be a path under there, so I just went back onto the road and followed that.

It’s a long road, but there is another pillbox along here which is nice.

A road curving ahead, lined with grass on both side, and big leafy bushes and trees on the right. There is a pillbox ahead on the left side of the road.

The rain

At the next bridge, cross the road staying on this side of the river.

The river with a partially hidden stone bridge ahead on the left, and a white boat moors to the side on the right.

A grass trail on the left and the river on the right, with white speed boats moored to the right side.

A dirt trail through the grass curving ahead to the right. The trail is lined with green bushes on both sides, with a few big leafy trees. The river is just visible to the right.

It was around here I experienced the first rain dump. It started pretty mild. Nothing that would warrant getting my rain jacket out. Then quite suddenly it went torrential. Too quickly for me to get my rain jacket out. As I was now already wet, I just went with it. I also don’t have many photos from this section as I was protecting my camera under my top.

Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve

You will next be walking through Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve. You will be able to tell you are somewhere different. It all seems a bit more green, if that’s even possible.

The wide calm river with tree reflections. There is a strip of grass and path on the left side leading to a pillbox surround white white cherry blossom trees.

Looking along the wide river to masses ion trees ahead and a partially hidden bridge across the river.

A narrow dirt trail leading through the trees and bushes on the walk towards Newbridge from Lechlade.

The river leading from right to left, lined with unkempt grass, and a swan floating in the river. There are raindrops in the water.

I made the mistake of deciding to have my lunch here. Quite late in the day. And no where to sit. Not even the ground, as that was all now wet. That’s not the mistake though. There are lots of insects in this area, flying about. Enough that there are even information boards telling you about all the insects.

I ate my food constantly swatting things away, and convinced I might accidentally eat some.

On a positive note, I happened to be under tree cover when the next rain dump came.

A dirt trail leading through the dark trees towards light ahead.

A narrow dirt trail leading through the grass, with the river on the right, on the walk towards Newbridge from Lechlade. There are masses of green leafy trees on the other side of the river. The path on this side is leading towards a tree and bush tunnel.

At the first bridge stay on this side. At the second bridge, cross over it then turn left.

A narrow trail surrounded by green bushes, leading up to a wooden bridge. There is a big information board and trail signpost on the left. — The second bridge

Looking over a wooden bridge towards a mass of trees on the other side, near the end of the walk from Lechlade to Newbridge.

A thin dirt trail through the grass, leading through the woods with big trees trunks when walking to Newbridge from Lechlade.

At the third bridge, cross over and turn left.

A wooden bridge with steps over the river, surround by trees. — The third bridge

A wide dirt and grass trail, surround by tall grass and lined with thin trunked trees.

It was along here that the third rain dump came, and this one would stay for almost the rest of the walk to Newbridge.

When I got home, the first thing everyone asked me who knew I was walking the Thames Path was ‘were you out walking in that rain’. Yes. Yes I was.

The fields, the woods, and the mud

Over that bridge it’s a little bit of walking through trees, and then in big grass fields like earlier. Again, not many photos due to the rain.

The river on the left and neatly cut green grass field on the right.

After the fields, the trail takes you on a path though lots of trees. That rain was enough to make this path very very muddy and full of puddles. There was no way around getting my feet completely submerged and sucked into the mud. But that’s ok because my feet were already wet.

A muddy dirt path surround by grass, bushes and leafy trees.

Looking down to a big mud path on the trail, surrounded by green bushes and trees, and with the river on the left.

Walk to Newbridge

Once I caught a glimpse of Newbridge in the distance I was relieved. Every part of me was wet, and remember, I still had that cold.

The river on the left leading to an archway bridge ahead in Newbridge. There is grass and mud on the right, and a stone walled buildings ahead next to the bridge.

If you are staying in the Rose Revived, it’s over the bridge.

What happened next

After showering and putting my boots on the radiator to try, I lay down on my big bed to reflect. I started to feel bloated, then developed a pain in my left lower abdomen. It became so severe that I could barely move. I tried. But the pain was so intense and searing.

I couldn’t remember what side the appendix was on, but decided it must be that. It had burst and I was going to die. Then I googled it, and the appendix is on the other side so it couldn’t be that. Trapped wind? Maybe it was a cyst on my ovary that burst? I didn’t call for help yet incase I was being dramatic and waited. After about an hour of no improvement, I decided to try something. I inched myself off the bed, crawled to the bathroom, and pulled myself up onto the toilet. Then pushed.

After about 20min and a few bits of poo later, the pain resolved. It was trapped poo.

Read next: Newbridge to Oxford day 4