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
Extras
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.
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’.
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.
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 characterful restaurant, traditional bar and bar area with slate floors open fire and ancient beams, complimentary wi-fi, free car parking
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
From M40 travelling South: No exit junction 7
Exit at Junction 6 and take B4009 via Watlington to Benson, then A4074
to Dorchester on Thames.
From M40 travelling North: Exit at Junction 7 and take A329 via Stadhampton and Warborough to Shillingford, then A4074 to Dorchester on Thames.
From M4 travelling west:
Exit at Junction 8/9 and take A404/A4130 via Henley on Thames and
Nettlebed to Crowmarsh, then A4074 to Dorchester on Thames.
From M4 travelling east:
Exit at Junction 13 and take A34 to Abingdon, then A415 to
Dorchester on Thames.
Nearest Train Station: Didcot Parkway
Two exclusive guided walks are included in the programme. The walking programme is graded easy to medium and you can expect to walk up to approx 10 miles on the first walk and approx 5 miles on the second walk.
Walking boots: Essential
It is recommended to purchase a snack and drink to take with you before each walk
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.
You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
What to Wear
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort.
Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
Walking boots with good ankle support
Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
Walking socks – several pairs
Lightweight fleece or jumper
Hat & gloves
Daysack/rucksack for walking
Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff (including restaurant, kitchen and reception staff) of approximately £10. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of bar staff and housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (the rounding up of the drinks bill and a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, restaurants expect a 10% gratuity (do check that service has not already been added to your bill). For taxis 10% of the metered fare.
The dress code for during the evening is casual.
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 |
“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!”
