For the next few weeks we are going to use the blog to highlight some of the wonderful towns and cities that lie along the Thames Path National Trail. Perfect points to break up your walk and stop off for refreshments and some culture!
Todays focus is Lechlade-on-Thames
Located at the southern edge of the Cotswolds, Lechlade is the highest point on the Thames that can be navigated by large boats. It feels more like a sleepy wool town than a bustling port, but it has plenty of secrets for you to explore.
• Old Father Thames: At St. John’s Lock (the first lock on the river), you’ll find a famous reclining statue of "Old Father Thames." He was originally sculpted for the Crystal Palace in London but was moved here in 1958 to watch over the river's source.
• The Halfpenny Revolt: The town’s iconic stone bridge is called Halfpenny Bridge. It was built in 1792 and used to charge a toll of one halfpenny for pedestrians. The townspeople eventually got tired of paying, leading to a "revolt" that saw the tolls abolished in 1839.
• Poetic Inspiration: The path through the local churchyard is named Shelley’s Walk. The poet Percy Bysshe Shelley visited in 1815 and was so moved by the sunset over the spire of St. Lawrence Church that he wrote one of his most famous poems right there among the gravestones.
Why not plan a break from your Thames Path walk and stop off in Lechlade for refreshments and an explore of this picturesque town.
