Walking the Thames Path: Section 6.1: Culham to Dorchester

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Weather: Sunny, Very Warm
Section Length: 13.5Km
Fantastic Place: Dorchester Abbey Tea Room

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The Route

A very sunny day for this section of the Thames Path.Lots of wild flowers everywhere along with birds and insects - in particular mayflies and dragonflies. After being dropped off in the sleepy village of Culham the first stretch of the walk is beside wild flower strewn meadows alive with mayflies. Flying above red kites and buzzards circle looking for prey.

Shortly after passing under the railway bridge there is a WWII pillbox. Not sure what it would have been guarding. There is another at the end of the walk on the approach to Dorchester so I guess they were there to defend the river. Now this one would make a good bird hide as flocks of geese were grazing on the grass in front of it.

    

Pillbox.

In several sections, the main, winding path of the Thames are bypassed by cuts, and at the entry and exit of each there is a weir <shudder>. 

At the end of the Clifton Cut there is a fine lock keeper's cottage. The gardens are very well tended (and there is an option of purchasing an ice cream if you fancy it).

Clifton Lock

 

Shortly after the lock you come to one of the most attractive bridges on the river, this one was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

Clifton Hampton Bridge

Crossing the bridge for a short detour you I walked to the Barley Mow, a thatched pub built in the 14th Century and mentioned in Three Men in a Boat. 

The Barley Mow

Back to cross the busy bridge (busier than normal as there was a road closure that caused Liz to get diverted, ironically, past this spot) and back along the Thames. The houses on the far bank of the river are very large and look very expensive. Some of the boathouses probably cost more than our house.

Modern Boathouse

Modern Riverside Residence

 This stretch of the Thames has some environmental management programs in place. Side channels and pools to support wildlife include snipe and otters. The meadows were full of buttercups glowing in the sun. The long curve of the river bends round to the south giving great views of the hills south of Dorchester, one of which is capped with an Iron Age Hill Fort.

Wittenham Clumps

Cows modelling for a Cuyp Painting

Buttercup Meadows

 

One final weir leads to the final stretch and a return to Dorchester alongside the Thame. The gardens of Dorchester Abbey are worth a look at and if you are there in the afternoon the Abbey Tearooms provide a fine selection of cakes. I had a well deserved slice of Lemon Drizzle and one of Orange Fruitcake. Both were very tasty. There is also a small museum in the old abbey guest house that is worth a look.