Long before the Thames Path became a designated National Trail, its towpaths carried centuries of history—first as Roman and medieval river routes, later as working corridors where horses hauled barges heavy with cargo. But transforming these fragments of riverbank into a continuous, publicly accessible long‑distance trail required vision, perseverance, and leadership.


One of the people who shaped that vision was David Sharp, whose commitment and determination helped turn an idea into a nationally recognised route.

A Timeline Shaped by Determination

1947 — Laying the Foundations
The Hobhouse Report first proposed the Thames as a candidate for a long‑distance recreational path. It identified the river’s cultural and natural significance but also highlighted the huge challenge: the towpaths were inconsistent, broken, and often closed to the public.

1949 — Legal Framework Takes Shape
The National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act created the statutory mechanism for establishing National Trails. Even with this framework, progress on the Thames Path was slow—complex land ownership, missing sections of towpath, and limited resources meant the idea remained mostly on paper for decades.

1970s–1990s — David Sharp’s Influence Grows
David Sharp became one of the key figures advocating for the Thames Path’s completion. David's love of walking came from his role as the vice-president of The Ramblers, but he had a particular love for the Thames Path as he lived in Barnes, London, with the River Thames flowing just at the end of his road. He worked tirelessly to bring together volunteers, local authorities, navigation bodies, landowners, and national agencies to overcome the fragmented nature of the route.

  • He championed sensitive solutions to landowner concerns.
  • He helped broker agreements for access where no public right of way previously existed.
  • He supported practical improvements, from signage and surfacing to new footbridges connecting missing links.

Through this period, David’s ability to blend diplomacy with determination earned him respect across organisations. Many of the sections walkers enjoy today exist because of agreements he helped negotiate or projects he helped steer.

1996 — The Trail Becomes Reality
On 24 July 1996, after decades of effort—much of it powered by volunteers and advocates like David Sharp—the Thames Path was officially opened as a National Trail. The launch recognised not only the intrinsic value of the river corridor but also the extraordinary partnership working that had made it possible.

A Legacy That Lives On

The Thames Path today is one of the country’s most-loved trails: a 185‑mile ribbon of history, nature, and accessibility that traces the river from its rural source to the heart of London. Beneath every step lies the legacy of people like David Sharp—individuals who believed that the river should be open to all, and who had the patience and persistence to make it happen.

His contribution helped secure not just a trail, but a national asset: a place for walking, reflection, community, and connection with the landscape.