Meet at Kemble station at 11.30am, after the arrival of the 10.42am train from Reading. The walk leader intends to travel on this train; if it is delayed the start of the walk will be as well.
This walk will take us to Gloucestershire, part of the walk being within the Cotswolds AONB, and into an area new to the group. From the station, we will join the final stretch of the Thames Path across the fields to the stone marking the source at Thames Head. Picking up the towpath of the disused Thames and Severn Canal, we will next reach the eastern portal of Sapperton Tunnel – once the longest in the country, and pause at the Tunnel House Inn. Continuing on through the small village of Coates and across fields, we cross the Fosse Way and reach the second pub stop, the Wild Duck at Ewen. From there, we pick up the Thames again as we head back to Kemble. If there is a long wait for the train back to Reading, we can wait in the Tavern Inn, very close to the station.
Kemble lies outside the Network Railcard zone. To reduce the costs, we will aim to take advantage of the Groupsave discount. If you intend to take the train from Reading, please meet outside the Three Guineas at 10.20am, where we will split into groups of 3-9 to buy our tickets.
Sat Nav: GL7 6FF or 51.6772 -2.0228
Grid Ref: ST985976