Abingdon is an attractive market town which is worth spending some time looking around as it has many historic buildings, especially along the north bank of the river.
The Thames Path leads out of the south bank of the river from Abingdon bridge, soon you come to Abingdon weir and lock where the Thames path now crosses to the opposite bank, first via the lock then over the weir.
Along the path there are fields to the left whilst the opposite bank is initially tree-covered. Soon the trees to the right clear and you see a rather imposing mansion house at the top of a hill across the river - Nuneham House, parts of which date from 1756. As you pass the large house you can see a small boathouse on the opposite banks of the river and ahead a larger boat house on the path side of the river, marked by an old boat in the field next to the path.
Next you come to Radley Collage Boat House where there is a natural resting point. Beyond the boat yard, the Thames continues the rural scene, with open fields and pleasant countryside.
Soon you come towards the beautiful scene at Sandford-on-Thames, where you will find a pleasant Public House, Kings Arms, where you can stop for refreshments.
The Thames now curves quickly to the left by a small island and returns to meadows, with the old railway bridge crossing the Thames ahead. Here we are now close to Kennington to the left. Beyond the railway bridge you cross a footbridge over the Mill Stream and Hinksey Stream.
Once under the road bridge you'll see the lovely scene of Iffley Lock ahead, with the old wooden bridge over the weirs and the beautiful old buildings. The village itself is believed to date from around 1000 to 1050. A mill also stood on the banks of the river here for almost 800 years, but was sadly destroyed by fire in 1908. Here’s another opportunity to take a break and get some more refreshments at The Isis Farmhouse.
After the lock you walk through meadows and soon come to the first boat house on the right, before passing under the B4495 road bridge, which seems to have been decorated by some students Beyond the bridge the opposite bank of the Thames is lined with the famous boat houses of Oxford University.
Beyond the boat houses are the Christ Church Meadows with the spires of the city just visible beyond. Soon you come to the centre of Oxford and can find further refreshment at The Head of the River.
