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The River Thames in Vale of White Horse Oxfordshire

The River Thames

The River Thames has been a very important trading route for hundreds of years and it is only during the latter part of the 20th Century that it has ceased to carry goods.

For further information visit The River Thames Guide website.

Abingdon Marina  

The marina has up to 100 floating pontoon moorings in a beautiful tranquil secure off-river marina. Facilities include water, electricity, elsan disposal, toilets and secure parking. For further information Telephone: 01235 536147 or visit the Abingdon Marina website.

Mooring  

Mooring along Hales Meadow, Rye Farm, Wilsham Road and Abbey Meadows in Abingdon is free with a maximum stay of five consecutive days. Facilities at Abingdon Lock include water point, refuse disposal, elsan/sewage disposal and pump out. For more information about places to moor visit the Environment Agency website.

Bridges of interest along the River Thames

Clifton Hampden Bridge

Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1857, he also designed the Albert Memorial in London. Nearby is the Barley Mow Public House, part of which dates back to 1350 and is mentioned in Jerome K. Jerome's "Three men in a boat".

Abingdon Bridge

Also known as Burford or Burrough-Ford Bridge, it was originally built by the Fraternity of the Holy Cross in 1416 with 14 arches. Around 1828, it was widened to allow two vehicles to pass and in 1927 the bridge was widened again and the channel deepened to let through larger boats but it has still kept its medieval feel.

Swinford Toll Bridge

Founded in 1777, this stone bridge was built for the Earl of Abingdon after George III got wet while crossing the River Thames. In return the King granted the tolls to be tax-free forever. The toll on the bridge is currently 5p, which increased from 2p in 1994 to pay for lengthy repairs to the bridge.

Bablock Hythe

This is one of the oldest river crossings dating from at least Roman times. A vehicle ferry operated here until WWII. The passenger ferry stopped in 1986, but the Ferryman Inn operates a passenger service for customers.

Newbridge

This bridge has six arches and was built by the Benedictine Monks from the priory at Deerhurst in c.1250, but was substantially re-built in the 15th Century. It is called "New" Bridge, as it was the first bridge to be built after Radcot some 25 years earlier. During the Civil War, the Parliamentarians destroyed part of the bridge to prevent the Royalists escaping from Oxford.

Radcot Bridge

There are two stone bridges at Radcot. The Old Bridge was built in 1225 and is now over a side stream. It is the oldest bridge over The River Thames, and was the scene of famous Civil War battles in both the 13th and 17th Centuries. The newer bridge, with its single arch that goes over the navigable River, was built in 1787 by the Thames Commissioners.

St Johns Lock at Lechlade

At the side of the lock you will find the statue of "Old Father Thames". Originally carved for the Crystal Palace, the statue was rescued from the ruins of the palace and placed appropriately near the source of the River Thames.

Contact Details

For further information on The River Thames please contact the Environment Agency Information Line Telephone: 0845 601 5336, visit the Environment Agency website.