Source of the River Thames – Cirencester Amphitheatre loop from Kemble

Hiking trails & Routes

Source of the River Thames – Cirencester Amphitheatre loop from Kemble

Hard

4.5

(2)

hikers

Source of the River Thames – Cirencester Amphitheatre loop from Kemble

06:00

23.1km

140m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 6.92 km for 233 m

Closed: • 5:00 PM-8:00 AM (otherwise open)

After 10.1 km for 3.32 km

Closed: • 5:00 PM-8:00 AM (otherwise open)

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

74 m

Kemble Village

Highlight • Settlement

Kemble is the closest settlement to the source of the Thames and is often visited by those starting the Thames Path long-distance hike. It is also the end point for …

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1.28 km

Source of the River Thames

Highlight • River

park at the end of the hike. start of hike missed but is easy to find from top of railway road. We came back via road as access that isn't …

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4.31 km

Ruined Stone Tower in The Cotswolds

Highlight • Historical Site

4.65 km

Stone Bridge over the King's Reach, Thames & Severn Canal

Highlight • Viewpoint

This beautiful stone bridge spans over the King's Reach, Thames & Severn Canal, creating a picturesque scene in the Cotswold countryside.

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4.97 km

Sapperton Canal Tunnel Entrance

Highlight • Structure

Once the longest tunnel in the country, Sapperton Canal Tunnel takes the Severn and Thames canal underground for 2-miles (3 km). By the entrance is Tunnel House, a pub established …

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7.79 km

Ten Rides

Viewpoint

11.4 km

Seven Rides

Viewpoint

13.6 km

Galaxy Hare Sculpture, Cirencester

Highlight • Monument

I didn't even spot this at first! I was busy looking at the pretty buildings!
This is on the corner of a path that leads down to a riverside walk & the open-air swimming pool.

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14.0 km

Narrow Historic Street with Old Stone Buildings

Highlight • Settlement

I'm an absolute SUCKER for old buildings like this! To think of all they've seen.
It's worth walking down this street. You get a weird sort of "narrowing" sensation, even though the road remains the same width!

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15.6 km

Cirencester Amphitheatre

Highlight • Historical Site

This huge earthwork is all that remains of one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in Britain. Built in the early 2nd century, the amphitheatre — which measures roughly 150 feet …

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