Where red deer roam & history comes alive – Thames Valley Cycle Route

The River Thames, England's longest and most iconic river, has played an important role in history for centuries. Today, you can discover colourful life and fascinating tales of bygone days as you cycle along the mighty river.

This Collection guides you along the Thames Valley Cycle Route from London to Oxford in seven stages, covering 117 miles (189 km) in total. Ranging in length from 10.5 miles (17 km) to 22 miles (35.5 km), the stages can easily be bundled together to complete the adventure in fewer days.

The Thames Valley is a wonderful area to explore by bike. You will follow the river as it winds through the bustling heart of England’s capital and across the south, leaving the water regularly to discover the region’s varied attractions, gentle hills, peaceful countryside and historic towns and villages.

You will follow a mixture of riverside paths, bridleways, cycleways, and countryside lanes, many of which are traffic-free. Nonetheless, as the route starts in the capital, you should be comfortable riding in busy areas. However, once you leave the bustle of the city, you can relax into rural bliss.

Beginning in London, the route leads to some of the UK’s most iconic sites such as the London Eye, before exploring historical sites on the edges of the city. Watch deer roam vast fields in Richmond Park, wander the colourful gardens at Hampton Court Palace, and learn more about the city’s diverse past.

As well as fascinating history, the Thames Valley is known for its beautiful nature and varied wildlife. Watch red kites circle above the patchwork hills of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, enjoy wild flowers swaying in the breeze on the slopes of the Wittenham Clumps, and ride through fragrant mossy woodland.

Aside from a short section through the Chiltern hills, the route is almost entirely flat, making it an ideal choice for novice bike tourers and all family members.

You will also never be far from a shop or a riverside pub where you can fill up on delicious grub to keep you going. Thriving villages and towns dotted along the river such as Reading, Abingdon, and Windsor provide comfortable accommodation en route, such as hotels, camp sites, and self-catering cottages.

You will also find train stations in most of the end stages, making the separate routes in this Collection perfect for day trips or weekend escapes.

You can ride the route in either direction. Both the start line in London and finish in Oxford are easy to reach by train, just don’t forget to reserve a space for your bike, too.