Walking The Thames Path: Section 6.2: Dorchester to Wallingford

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Weather: Sunny, Heavy Showers
Section Length: 8.4Km
Fantastic Place: Shillingford

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The Route

This blog entry is a bit delayed (OK very delayed as I did the walk back in 2022!)

Outside of weeks away from home, or long weekends, most of the Thames path will be walked in short sections such as today. I get a lift to the starting point from Liz, who then goes for a mooch around a pretty town (in this case Dorchester and Wallingford).

Dorchester is a pretty little town/village with an ancient abbey at its heart and several pubs. The walk starts with a pleasant stroll along the River Thame to its confluence with the Thames. On the approach to Shillingford the path leaves the river for some tedious road walking into the village. The return to the river is via a pretty lane beside gorgeous gardens and at the end a thatched boathouse. 

Shillingford bridge is quite impressive (it has road signs warning of ducks). The river, once you return to it, is wide and peaceful at this spot until you approach Benson where there is a busy marina and my great fear - a weir.

The Dreaded Weir at Benson

I don't know what it is about weirs. They are crossed usually by sturdy bridges with high hand rails but there is something about the mix of still deep water and rushing water over the weir itself that gives me the heeby-jeebies! 

The river on the far side of the weir returns to a peaceful tree lined stretch on the run into Wallingford. Wallingford has another fine Thanes bridge. A great spot to stop, meet up with Liz and scoff a very good sausage roll while watching people swim in the river.

Rather Fancy Boathouse

Wallingford Bridge

Fine Tree on Wallingford High Street

London LOOP: Leg 1 - Erith to Bexley

Weather: Very warm, clear blue skies, gentle breezes

Playlist: LastFm Playlist

Time: 3 Hours

Started the London LOOP this week even though I haven't finished the Capital Ring yet - that will come later this month. Spring has definitely sprung here in East London with bluebells and white wood anemones in the shady woodlands on the field paths to Bexley and blossom of all colours on the cherries and hawthorn trees in the woods and on the streets.

The walk starts at Erith which with the wide river front and the bunting has a fee of a seaside resort - very odd but quite attractive.

Erith Riverside

Further on the walk makes its way alongside some of the many creeks and channels that run into the Thames. In the bright sunshine the mudflats had the colour and texture of hammered silver and the fields on either side were full of skylarks dancing and singing until they were fit to burst. Swans and dugs floated down the shallow streams while ponies grazed beside the numerous scrap yards  recycling facilities. One of these facilities had a rather odd sign.

Odd - What would Lucy say?

The next section ran beside the River Cray which had a very peaceful feel despite running behind a long row of houses. It then runs past an old country manor before taking a short but scary trip alongside the very busy A2!

Not the most scenic part of the route

After this the path runs alongside woodland filled with bluebells and anemones with thrushes and tits singing in the trees.
It finally emerges into the village of Bexley with its interestingly spired church.

Bexley Church