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What to expect

Two Guided Walks

Experience the delightful Thames Path

River Thames

The most iconic waterway in England

The White Hart Hotel

Traditional 16th century coaching inn

Picturesque Villages

Discover Abingdon, Streatley & Goring

About the trip

This wonderful fully guided Solos walking break explores the beautiful Oxfordshire/Berkshire Thames Path and historic riverside villages. Staying in a delightful 16th Century coaching inn, situated in the charming village of Dorchester on Thames, this is the perfect way to experience some of England’s finest countryside and the famous river.

Grade Easy to Medium

Activity Level:

What's this?

What's Included

  • Room for sole use
  • Solos Board - Breakfast & evening meal daily with ½ bottle of wine
  • Welcome drink & information meeting
  • 2 guided exclusive walks including transfers
  • Experienced Blue Badge walking guide
  • Accompanying Solos Tour Leader

Itinerary

  • Arrive & check-in
  • “Abbey to Abbey” Abingdon to Dorchester
  • Streatley to Goring Figure-of-Eight
  • Departure Day

Extras

  • Insurance click here
  • Lunches

What you'll be doing

DAY 1

Arrival

After checking in to our hotel, we meet our Tour Leader and fellow Solos guests for the welcome drink and enjoy our first evening meal together.

  • Dinner Included
DAY 2

“Abbey to Abbey” - Abingdon to Dorchester

After breakfast, we make a short coach journey to the lovely town of Abingdon. A town for over 6,000 years, this was once the county town of Berkshire.  We begin our walk next to the former County Hall and pass the impressive gateway to its former abbey, once one of the richest in the country.  We cross the River Thames and follow its path, soon discovering the junction with the former Wilts and Berks Canal and the grade two listed Old Culham Bridge.

We follow the old course of the river into Sutton Courtenay, a former royal manor. In the churchyard, we discover the burial sites of a former Prime Minister and a well-known author.

We re-join the Thames Path and follow it past a lock to Clifton Hampden Bridge, enjoying a late lunch in the adjacent pub, mentioned in Jerome K Jerome’s ‘Three Men in a Boat’.

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DAY 3

Streatley to Goring Figure-of-Eight

After a short coach transfer, we start our half day walk in the delightful small riverside village of Streatley, a twin with Goring on the opposite bank. Our route ascends quite steeply to Lardon Chase above the village, where we encounter our first magnificent views across the Thames, as it winds its way through Goring Gap, where it forced its way through hills 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age.

We do a loop through beech tree woodland and chalk downland. The woodland canopy provides dappled shade if sunny and a vast umbrella if wet. We will almost certainly hear, if not see, a variety of wildlife, including the magnificent birds of prey, red kites, which were re-introduced to the area back in the 1990’s.

Our route drops down to the river, which we cross on a causeway bridge next to one of the most picturesque Thames Locks. This is also a path crossroads, where the Thames Path meets the Ridgeway Path.

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Accommodation

The White Hart Inn - Dorchester on Thames

Originally a 16th century coaching inn, this charming hotel situated in the ‘chocolate box’ village of Dorchester on Thames retains all the character of the old inn with modern amenities, making the hotel a perfect accompaniment to our escorted walking break.

Facilities Include

Facilities include characterful restaurant, traditional bar and bar area with slate floors open fire and ancient beams, complimentary wi-fi, free car parking

Room Includes

The comfortable individually designed rooms include en-suite bathroom with bath and shower, hospitality tray, telephone, hairdryer, freeview flat screen TV and complimentary WiFi

Frequently Asked Questions

Average Temperatures

Month(s) Highest temperature Lowest temperature
January - February 6 °C 1 °C
March 9 °C 2 °C
April 11 °C 3 °C
May 15 °C 6 °C
June 18 °C 9 °C
July - August 20 °C 11 °C
September 17 °C 9 °C
October 14 °C 7 °C
November 9 °C 3 °C
December 7 °C 2 °C

Our Reviews

“I’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”

“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”

“I’ve been on loads of trips with Solos over the years and can honestly say you will not regret booking your 1st one!”

“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”

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