Accessible Thames

The River Thames is a fantastic destination for everyone to enjoy.  It is important that all visitors have the information they need to plan a day out or holiday on the River Thames. Towns such as Windsor provide information for those travelling with a disability.

Boat Trips

River Thames passenger boat operators welcome passengers with reduced mobility and families with young children and are keen to do all they can to provide an enjoyable boat trip for everybody.

Some boats have extremely good access with wide aisles and compartments. However some boats are of an older or vintage design and therefore have very limited access which cannot be adapted or redesigned. There may also be limited access eg. steps at some scheduled pick up and drop off points.  

The Passenger Boat Association works closely with its members to ensure reduced mobility passenger access statements are available on their websites and in terms & conditions, however it is strongly recommended that you plan your boat journey in advance in order to find a trip that best suits you. Individual passenger boat operators on the Upper Thames and throughout the UK will be pleased to provide help and advice.

Accessing the Locks

The locks offer a place to ‘watch the world go by’, or at least the huge variety of boats on the River Thames. Some are more accessible than others, those which are easier to reach are: Osney, Sandford, Abingdon, Culham, Goring, Caversham, Marlow, Boulters, Bray, Molesy and Teddington.  

Thames Path

The Thames Path is a gentle Trail, following the River Thames from its source in the Cotswolds into the city of London, suitable for people with a wide range of abilities. It is mainly flat, with just a few natural slopes. Many places along it can be accessed by people with limited mobility such as users of wheelchairs or mobility scooters, parents with pushchairs or those using a walking stick.

In recent years, the stiles along the Trail have been replaced with gates. However there are still structures which may be barriers for many people with reduced mobility.

Walks for All on the River Thames

To encourage everyone to make the most of the Thames Path, National Trails and the Environment Agency published 12 walks along different parts of the River Thames, all with level and wide paths, gentle slopes and rest areas.

Each walk comes with a handy map and details about distance, type of surface and where to find accessible local refreshments and toilets, so everyone can decide which walks are right for them. Take a look at a selection of accessible trails.

Fishing

Fishing is a great outdoor sport that anyone can do whatever their physical ability, age or gender. The River Thames offers a number of locations for anglers with special needs and the Environment Agency is, wherever possible, building or adapting fishing platforms for anglers with disabilities.

Disabled and disadvantaged can enjoy a great time on the River Thames

Disabled and disadvantaged children and adults can now have a wonderful day out on the river Thames, thanks to the Rivertime Boat Trust. Each day trip involves a small group of passengers, cruising on a spacious, purpose-designed 42-foot boat named ‘Rivertime’. The main base is the River & Rowing Museum in Henley- on-Thames but at certain times of the year they can be found cruising the river in Oxford, Reading and Windsor.

The River Thames Boat Project is a registered charity that offers community groups a unique experience of the River Thames. They operate day trips and longer holidays on a special wheelchair-accessible barge, the Richmond Venturer.

August's Regatta for the Disabled is a wonderful opportunity for children and adults with a disability to enjoy a great variety of land and river based activities they would normally consider unavailable to them.