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Highlights
Short self-guided highlights walk on the famous Thames Path
Walk a classic Thames Path stretch from elegant Henley-on-Thames to majestic Windsor Castle.
Enjoy gentle riverside trails past historic locks, leafy meadows, and timeless English villages.
Discover literary and artistic connections in Marlow and Cookham, rich with local heritage.
Unwind each night in cozy B&Bs and charming small hotels, perfectly placed for riverside evenings.
Follow one of the Thames Path’s most enchanting stretches on the 5-Day Self-Guided Thames Path Highlights walking holiday from Henley-on-Thames to Windsor. Beginning in the elegant Georgian riverside town of Henley—famed for the Royal Regatta—you’ll spend your days strolling gentle towpaths past green meadows, wooded banks, traditional locks and storybook villages. Along the way, you’ll discover the literary and artistic soul of the Thames, from Marlow, where Mary Shelley once lived, to Cookham, forever linked with painter Stanley Spencer.
With modest daily distances and mostly level terrain, this itinerary is ideal for walkers seeking a short break rich in scenery, heritage and classic English charm. Each evening, unwind in cozy bed and breakfasts and small, characterful hotels, perfectly placed for a riverside dinner or a quiet pint. The journey ends in spectacular style beneath the towers of Windsor Castle, with time to explore Eton, Windsor Great Park and the iconic Long Walk before this magical 5-day country escape concludes.
Follow one of the Thames Path’s most enchanting stretches on the 5-Day Self-Guided Thames Path Highlights walking holiday from Henley-on-Thames to Windsor. Beginning in the elegant Georgian riverside town of Henley—famed for the Royal Regatta—you’ll spend your days strolling gentle towpaths past green meadows, wooded banks, traditional locks and storybook villages. Along the way, you’ll discover the literary and artistic soul of the Thames, from Marlow, where Mary Shelley once lived, to Cookham, forever linked with painter Stanley Spencer.
With modest daily distances and mostly level terrain, this itinerary is ideal for walkers seeking a short break rich in scenery, heritage and classic English charm. Each evening, unwind in cozy bed and breakfasts and small, characterful hotels, perfectly placed for a riverside dinner or a quiet pint. The journey ends in spectacular style beneath the towers of Windsor Castle, with time to explore Eton, Windsor Great Park and the iconic Long Walk before this magical 5-day country escape concludes.
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5-Day Self-Guided Thames Path Highlights Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Henley-on-Thames
Arrive in Henley-on-Thames, less than an hour by train from London Paddington. This elegant Georgian riverside town is famed for the Royal Regatta, its rich rowing heritage, and a beautiful promenade along the Thames.
Overnight Location: B&B in Henley-on-Thames
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Walk Henley-on-Thames to Marlow
This gentle stage invites you to savour the Thames at an easy, unhurried pace. Cross into Buckinghamshire and pass the historic locks at Hurley and Temple, where boats drift quietly through timeless river scenery. Your day ends in the lively riverside town of Marlow, long a haven for writers and artists. Mary Shelley penned Frankenstein while living here, and T.S. Eliot was a frequent visitor. With its elegant suspension bridge and leafy riverside parks, Marlow is a charming spot to relax and settle in for the evening.
Overnight Location: B&B in Henley-on-Thames
Distance: 15 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Walk Marlow to Cookham with option to Cliveden House
A wonderfully gentle stretch follows peaceful towpaths and through a chain of characterful riverside towns and villages. Walk beneath Brunel’s impressive railway bridge at Maidenhead, continue past Bourne End—once home to beloved children’s author Enid Blyton—and arrive in Cookham, where artist Stanley Spencer lived and found inspiration. If you wish, extend your day by 5 km to visit the National Trust’s Cliveden House, the magnificent Astor estate, and enjoy sweeping views over the Thames valley below.
Overnight Location: B&B in Henley-on-Thames
Distance: 8-12 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Walk Cookham to Eton/Windsor
As you follow the Thames toward Windsor, the towers of Windsor Castle rise ahead, a fitting finale to your journey. Across the river lies Eton, renowned for its historic college and tranquil charm. Windsor itself is crowned by the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Save some energy to stroll the iconic Long Walk in Windsor Great Park — a magnificent 2.6-mile tree-lined avenue leading to the Copper Horse statue — and, of course, to explore the Castle. You may wish to allow extra time here, either on departure day or with an additional night in Windsor.
Overnight Location: B&B in Henley-on-Thames
Distance: 15 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 End of Tour
Your tour concludes after breakfast. Windsor has excellent onward travel options via train to London Paddington or London Waterloo.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2026 Pricing for 5-Day Thames Path Highlights Walk The departures are available starting daily from April 1 to September 30, 2026.
The starting price for two people sharing a double or twin room is GBP665 per person.
Accommodation on 5-Day Self-Guided Thames Path Highlights
There is a variety of accommodation along the route ranging from bed and breakfasts, lodges and small hotels. Further facilities such as washing and drying facilities, packed lunches and packed lunches are available in some accommodations.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room for the duration of the tour.
What’s Included in the 5-Day Self-Guided Thames Path Highlights?
Meals
4 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 4 nights are included. Accommodations before or after the tour are not included but can be added during the booking process.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers (1 bag, max 20 KG per person).
Also Included
- GPS app for navigation
- Custom PDF roadbook
- Phone support
Not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Visas if required
- Airport transfers
- Any meals not noted as included
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Picnic lunches prepared by the accommodations
- Single occupancy upgrades
- How hard is the 5-Day Self-Guided Thames Path Highlights?
- Do I need a visa to travel to England?
- Are meals included on the 5-Day Self-Guided Thames Path Highlights?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Henley-on-Thames to start this tour?
- Is the 5-Day Self-Guided Thames Path Highlights in English?
- Where does the 5-Day Self-Guided Thames Path Highlights end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to England?
- Are there any travel restrictions for England?
We rate this tour as a 3 out of 5 in terms of difficulty. You should be comfortable covering up to 15 km of walking on a given stage.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
4 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover walking. Get your Travel Insurance.
Most guests will arrive by train to Henley-on-Thames which is just 1 hour from London Paddington.
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
The tour ends in Eton/Windsor, both with good train connections to London Paddington and London Waterloo.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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