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Travel information to towns on the River Thames
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The River Thames is easy to get to. It flows through some of
Major roads across the south-east will take you to the riverside towns.
Electric Charging Points: If you're travelling with an electric vechicle, you can check for the local EV charging points on Autotrader's handy map.
See a map of the River Thames to explore some of the best accommodation and attractions available along its path.
Towns and Villages
Find out about the towns and villages along the River Thames. Key starting points for accessing the River Thames outside of London are Windsor, Reading, Henley, Marlow, Oxford, Abingdon andWallingford.
Travel information to key locations:
Windsor
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is just 30 miles west of London with Heathrow Airport just 12 miles away and Luton and Gatwick Airports within an hour's drive. The whole of the Royal Borough is easily accessible via the major motorway networks of the M3, M4, M25 and M40 and is well served by public transport. http://www.windsor.gov.uk/visitor-info/getting-here.
Reading
Reading is one of the busiest interchanges on the national rail network and has direct routes to almost every part of the UK. Heathrow is just 25 minutes west on the M4 at off-peak times.
The Elizabeth Line, London's newest tube line, makes Reading a great day trip destination from London. Reading is the new western terminus of the Elizabeth Line, reachable on direct trains in under an hour from central London. When you step off the trains in Reading, the River Thames, the town centre attractions, great shopping and eating out are all within a short walk of the station. It couldn't be easier. Elizabeth Line services to Reading run very half hour from Abbey Wood in East London, stopping at Canary Wharf, Liverpool Street, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street, as well as Paddington, before heading west from London to Reading.
There is a recommended Heathrow/Reading coach link which departs approx every 20 minutes from Reading Station. Services to Heathrow drop off at all terminals, but return journeys are from the central coach station. Find out more here: RailAir. Gatwick Airport is about an hour and a half by road (M4/M25) or use the regular stopping train service (departing every half hour at peak times). Southampton (Eastleigh) airport is about 1 hour (A33/M3).
Henley
The town is only 30 miles from central London and a short drive from Windsor, Reading and Oxford. It is easily accessible from the M4, M40, A4130 and A4155. http://www.visit-henley.com/travel-parking.
Marlow
The A4155 runs through Marlow town centre, and Marlow is close to the A404, M4 and M40. Travel by train to Marlow with First Great Western. The train service is known as the Marlow Donkey, which was the nickname given to the steam locomotives that once operated on the line.
Oxford
The M40 and M4 + A34 provide easy access by car from London, leaving the M40 at Junction 8. The M40 links Birmingham to Oxford from the north, leaving at Junction 9. Parking in Oxford is limited so most day visitors take advantage of the Park and Ride system which was pioneered in Oxford. All five Park and Ride sites are clearly signposted from the Oxford Ring Road. They operate 7 days per week (excluding Sunday at Water Eaton). A frequent direct train service operates from London Paddington and Oxford (approx. every 30 minutes) and between Birmingham New Street. London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports: the Oxford Bus Company's Airline service operates 24/7. London Stansted and Luton airports are linked by the National Express 737 bus service. Car Hire firms and chauffeur services also provide a bespoke airport transfer service. Birmingham airport is within one and a half hour transfer by car and offers European, International and local routes.
Abingdon-on-Thames
Abingdon-on-Thames has good major road links with the A34 running close by, linking to the M4 in the south, and with Oxford and the M40 to the north.
Abingdon-on-Thames does not have a railway station, however, there are several stations close-by which link up with regular bus services to Abingdon: Radley – 3 miles then 35 bus, Oxford – 7 miles then 4 bus, Didcot Parkway – 8 miles then X2 bus.
Wallingford
Wallingford is easily accessible from the M4, M40 and A34. Train services are available to and from the village of Cholsey (just over 2 miles away) and Didcot Parkway (6 miles). There are frequent services from both stations to London Paddington, Reading and Oxford. Services to the West Country and Wales also operate from Didcot Parkway. Visit the First Great Western website for timetable information. The town is well served by local bus operator Thames Travel with regular services to Oxford, Reading, Henley and Didcot and to many of the surrounding villages.
