Our final stop is Woolwich, a riverside district with deep military roots and a working‑waterfront spirit — and the official end of the Thames Path National Trail. After 185.2 miles from the Cotswolds, the route concludes here on the south‑east London bank, just a few miles from the sea.
A Historic Gateway on the Tidal Thames
Woolwich has long guarded this stretch of river. The Royal Arsenal and associated military institutions shaped the town for centuries, while ferries and tunnels kept people moving across the Thames. Walkers finishing the National Trail arrive in a place where Britain’s industrial and defence history still feels tangible along the quaysides and brick arches.
The Thames Path’s Finishing Line
The National Trail’s waymarkers lead you through east London to Woolwich, where the path officially ends after tracking the river from its source. Wayfinding on London sections is excellent, and as you approach the finish you’ll see signs for the Thames Barrier and Woolwich waterfront — a suitably dramatic finale for a path that has threaded meadows, market towns and the capital’s heart to reach the estuary.
Good to know: Many guides also mention the Thames Barrier as the end of the trail, but it was recently extended to the Woolwich Foot Tunnel . We can confirm that the National Trail endpoint is Woolwich (185.2 miles / 298 km).
Crossings: Ferry, Foot Tunnel and the Open River
Woolwich is unique for its pair of river crossings: the long‑running Woolwich Ferry (free for vehicles and foot passengers) and the Woolwich Foot Tunnel (open 24/7). The red‑brick rotundas of the tunnel are Grade II listed, and the passage links Old Woolwich with North Woolwich beneath the river — a fitting bookend for a journey defined by bridges, locks and waterside paths.
Arsenal to Waterfront: Layers of Story
From the Tudor dockyard and artillery works to the vast Royal Arsenal complex, Woolwich supplied fleets, munitions and innovation — and later weathered the post‑industrial decades with resilience. Today the riverside mixes heritage buildings with new public realm, cafés and walking routes, giving finishers of the Thames Path a lively place to celebrate that last mile.
Why Woolwich is the Perfect End Point
Ending at Woolwich feels right: the tide‑turned Thames, working river traffic, and historic crossings capture the river’s shift from inland waterway to maritime highway. It’s both a destination and a launch‑pad — complete the National Trail here, then, if you’ve still got legs, follow the signed waterside paths east towards Erith and the marshes, or simply take the ferry for one last glide across the water.
