A thousand years ago, there were sections of the Thames that were only navigable by smaller craft. At Abingdon, this was a major problem and so Swift Ditch was cut, opening up a channel for larger vessels. This channel was used for around 700 hundred years before Abingdon Lock was built, allowing traffic to pass along the main flow of the river instead, leaving Swift Ditch and its historic pound lock – one of the oldest in the country – as a sleepy backwater.

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Nearby routes

Best routes near Swift Ditch Pound Lock (the first pound lock on the Thames)

4.0

(4)

hikers

1. Abingdon & Clifton Hampden loop via Thames Path

15.8km

04:00

30m

Hike the moderate 9.8-mile Abingdon & Clifton Hampden loop via Thames Path, featuring riverside views, historic bridges, and charming villag

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Moderate

4.5

(2)

hikers

2. Abingdon Bridge – Abingdon Lock and Weir loop from Abingdon

14.1km

03:35

40m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

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3. Abingdon Lock and Weir – Abingdon Bridge loop from Abingdon

4.87km

01:14

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

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Informations

Elevation 50 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 24 March

15°C

7°C

48 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 30.0 km/h

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Take Me There

Location: Culham, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, South East England, England, United Kingdom

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Swift Ditch Pound Lock (the first pound lock on the Thames)

1. Abingdon & Clifton Hampden loop via Thames Path

2. Abingdon Bridge – Abingdon Lock and Weir loop from Abingdon

3. Abingdon Lock and Weir – Abingdon Bridge loop from Abingdon

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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