CAB96
LIFE MEMBER
Following our Easter break, I thought I would put details here for anyone else who wants to do the same walks.
The Thames Head Inn is on the A433 Tetbury Road, a few miles SW of Cirencester.
(EDIT: excellent Arkells Beer, especially the 3B, and very good food; the ice-cream sundae is superb!)
It has a small campsite, bookable via Pitchup:
www.pitchup.com
The site
Smallish gravel (stone) pitches, they do a 'large' and a 'small'; metres is probably the comfortable maximum. Central grass area with picnic tables.
Pull in to the pub car park and check in at the bar (watch the railway bridge just before the pub as you approach from Cirencester - it's one vehicle at a time, but the signs don't spell it out. Be prepared to stop and wait).
ONE combined toilet+shower (plus the pub loos when open); the caravanners will spend all morning showering so best to use your own facilities! Water / black + grey waste / bin available.
It is by the main road, so there is some road noise; there is a rail line just behind, and a pedestrian crossing (more on that later) so the (not frequent) trains sound their horns. No noise from the pub though, it is set well back.
The walks
There's basically two walks from site. You are on the edge of the Cotswolds so plenty to drive to, but this post is about where you can walk without having to pack up and move.
LEAVING THE SITE - following footpaths would take you the short walk along the road to the path beside the railway; although it is short it is a busy road with no footway. SO: walk into the pub car park; in the far Western corner (far left as you look from the road) you can access the field. Follow the field edge to the right, back past the campsite, and it will lead you to a pedestrian gate linking to the footpath and the pedestrian crossing over the Railway. It is by far the safest way outwards and back.
The Source(s) of the Thames
Planned at 7.4 miles (so likely 8.0 in practice), but add 1 miles if you want to visit the pub in Kemble. A nice easy walk, no steep gradients, probably muddy in the winter. Quite a bit of road walking but nothing dangerous.
You will first come to the original Source of the Thames (now dried up); then take the Monarch's Way to the Royal Agricultural University. When you get to the RAU's driveway, head back to the main road, a short narrow footpathed section will take you to the bridleway heading South.
Take note of the disused railway; once over the bridge, look out for a more subtle bridge over a disused canal, we shall come across this on our second walk.
The road into Ewen is broad and quiet; unfortunately the pub is closed.As you walk through Ewen you are now on the Thames Path, heading up towards the source. Just as you think you will have to brave walking a fast road, the path veers off left to deposit you beside the young Thames. A delightful (but sometimes muddy) walk takes you to another main road and the disused railway again.
(Just afterwards, if you fancy, you can take the Wysis Way to Kemble, to the Tavern Inn. Walk up the the station, and the footbridge takes you over the railway to the pub. Afterwards, retrace your steps to the Thames Path).
Follow the Thames Path NW, you will come across the current source of the Thames a short way along. Then you can do as I do and walk in the obvious dip which presumably used to be the Thames (maybe after rain it still is!). Follow the Thames Path until you come to the path junction that leads you back over the Railway, back around the field edge and to the Inn, for a cracking pint of 3B.
The Thames Head Inn is on the A433 Tetbury Road, a few miles SW of Cirencester.
Thames Head Inn - Cirencester pubs, Gloucestershire bed and breakfast pubs, B&B in Cirencester, great food in Gloucestershire. Camping Cirencester, Thames Head bed and breakfast B&B. Dogs welcome in the bar, Arkell's beers, Christmas parties, free wi
Thames Head Inn B&B Cirencester. Bed and breakfast pubs in Gloucestershire, pubs in Cirencester, Cotswolds campsites with free wifi, Thameshead Inn bed and breakfast, stay in Cotswolds, B&B business accommodation, weekend breaks, great home cooked food. Dogs welcome in the bar.
www.thamesheadinn.co.uk
(EDIT: excellent Arkells Beer, especially the 3B, and very good food; the ice-cream sundae is superb!)
It has a small campsite, bookable via Pitchup:
The Thames Head Inn, Cirencester, Gloucestershire - Updated 2025 prices | Pitchup.com
Book The Thames Head Inn in Gloucestershire from £25/nt. Family friendly, bar or club house and dogs allowed. Best prices, easy booking, no fees with immediate confirmation.
The site
Smallish gravel (stone) pitches, they do a 'large' and a 'small'; metres is probably the comfortable maximum. Central grass area with picnic tables.
Pull in to the pub car park and check in at the bar (watch the railway bridge just before the pub as you approach from Cirencester - it's one vehicle at a time, but the signs don't spell it out. Be prepared to stop and wait).
ONE combined toilet+shower (plus the pub loos when open); the caravanners will spend all morning showering so best to use your own facilities! Water / black + grey waste / bin available.
It is by the main road, so there is some road noise; there is a rail line just behind, and a pedestrian crossing (more on that later) so the (not frequent) trains sound their horns. No noise from the pub though, it is set well back.
The walks
There's basically two walks from site. You are on the edge of the Cotswolds so plenty to drive to, but this post is about where you can walk without having to pack up and move.
LEAVING THE SITE - following footpaths would take you the short walk along the road to the path beside the railway; although it is short it is a busy road with no footway. SO: walk into the pub car park; in the far Western corner (far left as you look from the road) you can access the field. Follow the field edge to the right, back past the campsite, and it will lead you to a pedestrian gate linking to the footpath and the pedestrian crossing over the Railway. It is by far the safest way outwards and back.
The Source(s) of the Thames
Planned at 7.4 miles (so likely 8.0 in practice), but add 1 miles if you want to visit the pub in Kemble. A nice easy walk, no steep gradients, probably muddy in the winter. Quite a bit of road walking but nothing dangerous.
You will first come to the original Source of the Thames (now dried up); then take the Monarch's Way to the Royal Agricultural University. When you get to the RAU's driveway, head back to the main road, a short narrow footpathed section will take you to the bridleway heading South.
Take note of the disused railway; once over the bridge, look out for a more subtle bridge over a disused canal, we shall come across this on our second walk.
The road into Ewen is broad and quiet; unfortunately the pub is closed.As you walk through Ewen you are now on the Thames Path, heading up towards the source. Just as you think you will have to brave walking a fast road, the path veers off left to deposit you beside the young Thames. A delightful (but sometimes muddy) walk takes you to another main road and the disused railway again.
(Just afterwards, if you fancy, you can take the Wysis Way to Kemble, to the Tavern Inn. Walk up the the station, and the footbridge takes you over the railway to the pub. Afterwards, retrace your steps to the Thames Path).
Follow the Thames Path NW, you will come across the current source of the Thames a short way along. Then you can do as I do and walk in the obvious dip which presumably used to be the Thames (maybe after rain it still is!). Follow the Thames Path until you come to the path junction that leads you back over the Railway, back around the field edge and to the Inn, for a cracking pint of 3B.
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