Rising in rural Gloucestershire, winding through Oxfordshire, past the pageantry of Windsor and Hampton Court, to dive into the teeming hubbub of London, the Thames is truly a mighty river, and a defining feature of not only England's landscape but also its history. For 184 miles, from the source to the Thames Barrier, it is also a superb waterside walk, and one of our most varied and accessible National Trails.

In its western stages it is an idyllic stroll among tranquil meadows, overlooked by grand mansions and willow trees, with rowers and swans for companions. Then from Ham House and Marble Hill House onwards it is an exhilarating journey through London's history, from the Tower of London to Dickens, from Greenwich's naval heritage to the powerhouse skyline of Canary Wharf. Whether you're a long distance walker or out for a weekend stroll, this official guide takes you the whole way, and tells you everything you need.

The entire route is split it into fifteen convenient sections. Also included are 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey maps for each section marked with points of special interest. The mapping for the London section is at 1:16,000 for even clearer route finding and includes routes on both banks of the river through central London. The guide is illustrated with colour photographs and route details are supported by additional notes on nearby features. An introductory chapter provides background information about the river. Practical information includes details of bus and train access to the route to help those who wish to walk the Path in sections, plus listings of useful organisations.

This guide to the Thames Path National Trail describes the journey from the Thames Barrier in London to the source of this great river 180 miles away in rural Gloucestershire. The advantage of walking the route this way is the climax of the last 22 miles of the infant Thames leading to the river's source just below the Roman Foss Way. It's a personal choice, of course, but many walkers may prefer this finale to the bustle of London's dockland. A purist may say a river walk should follow the river from source to sea, but if you prefer a tranquil ending to a grand one, then this is the guide for you.

The Thames, once an important waterway, links a string of historic sites, from Greenwich, the Houses of Parliament and Lambeth Palace in the city, to rural Hampton Court Palace and Runneymede. The beautiful upper reaches of the path run through peaceful countryside in Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. The route is described in 20 sections of between 4 and 16 miles in length and full colour OS Landranger (1:50,000) mapping accompanies the text. For each section all the vital practical information you require for planning and walking the path is provided, including refreshments, accommodation options and transport. Plenty of background information should ensure your curious interest in things and places passed along the way are answered.

Here is a guide book for two kinds of walker: those who like an afternoon stroll from a good pub and those who enjoy the challenge of a long distance path walked over a period of days. The Thames Path stretches for approximately 213 miles from the Thames Barrier at Woolwich through London to Windsor, Wallingford, Oxford and Lechlade, ending near Kemble in Gloucestershire. The route was established as a new National Trail by the Countryside Agency in 1989 and was fully opened to the public in 1994.

This book combines information on the whole length of the path, with simple circular pub walks along the route. The walks vary in length from about 2 to 5.5 miles and the directions are clearly presented and accompanied by sketch maps. Each pub is described in full, with details of its history and character, how to get there and where to park. Leigh Hatts produced the Countryside Commission's Thames Path feasibility study.

If you are planning to walk the entire Thames Path, the National Trail Guide by David Sharp is a better choice, but for dipping into the Trail, exploring sections of it, this guide is ideal.

The walk locations are: Rotherhithe; Bankside; Hammersmith; Isleworth; Twickenham; Kingston-upon-Thames; Shepperton; Eton; Medmenham; Aston; Caversham; South Stoke; Wallingford; Dorchester; Clifton Hampden; Oxford; Bablock Hythe; Newbridge; Lechlade; Coates.