The River Thames
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At approximately 215 miles the River Thames is the longest river entirely in England, the second longest river in the United Kingdom (the River Severn being the longest river in the United Kingdom) and one of the most iconic rivers in the world. But where is the source of the Thames? And can I visit the source of the Thames?
Read on to find out...
Where is the source of the River Thames?
The official source of the River Thames, Thames Head (the spring being called Lyd Well), can be found in the county of Gloucestershire in a Cotswold meadow called Trewsbury Mead near Kemble and approximately 3 miles south west of Cirencester. It is approximately 360 feet (110 m) above sea level.
However, the true source of the Thames is sometimes disputed and Seven Springs, 11 miles away and approximately 4 miles south of Cheltenham, also makes claim to being the "ultimate" source of the River Thames! And at this site is a plaque that reads "Hic tuus o Tamesine Pater septemgeminus fons" (Latin for "Here, O Father Thames, is your sevenfold spring").
In August 2022 stories in the press said that the source of the River Thames had now moved 5 miles down stream to Somerford Keynes. July 2022 saw extremely low rainfall and a record-breaking heatwave, so it remains to be seen of this is a permant move, or whether the Thames will start to flow again near Kemble after some significant rainfall.
What marks the source of the River Thames?
The source of the Thames is marked with a simple stone inscribed with the words:
The Conservators of the River Thames 1857 - 1974
This Stone was Placed Here to Mark the Source of the River Thames
The inscribed stone marker is hard to read and, as you can see from the photograph, almost impossible to capture on camera!
The spring itself is marked by a ring of stones. Often dry or home to just trickles of water, it does flow impressively after heavy rain or period of persistent rain.
There is also a Thames Path sign post at the start of the River Thames, telling everyone they are "just" 184 miles from the Thames Barrier in London.
Can I visit the source of the Thames?
The source of the Thames can be reached via a footpath across Trewsbury Mead and makes a great family walk, but for most of the year no water is visible, just a shallow, dry river bed.
What is the Thames Path?
The Thames Path is a National Trail which following the River Thames from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire and approximately 3 miles from Cirencester to the Thames Barrier at Charlton, south east London.
A path was first proposed in 1948 but it only opened in 1996.
Many people walk the Thames Path each year, some walking the complete route and others breaking the route into sections and walking each of them individually to make up the full route.
Blog: Walking the Thames Path
The River Thames - Interesting facts
The Thames is the only river in Europe to have a national trail follow its entire length.
Where the Thames flows through Oxford it is known as the River Isis.
How long is the Thames Path?
The Thames Path is approximately 184 miles long (294 kilometres) from the source of the Thames to the Thames Barrier, or from the Thames Barrier to the start of the Thames!
Last updated: 30 July 2024 - Please note: This blog was first written over a year old and things may have changed since the blog was written.
