River Thames in Abingdon – Wittenham Clumps loop from Marcham
River Thames in Abingdon – Wittenham Clumps loop from Marcham
13
riders
River Thames in Abingdon – Wittenham Clumps loop from Marcham
02:11
54.6km
220m
Road cycling
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: June 13, 2026
Tips
Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted
After 5.57 km for 82 m
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
5.49 km
The Kings Head & Bell
Highlight • Cafe
Tip by
5.51 km
St Nicolas' Church, Abingdon
Highlight • Other
The church was added to the gateway of the already-existing Benedictine Abbey of Saint Mary around the year 1170, although the oldest remaining piece is reportedly from 1180.
While the monks used the abbey church, St Nicolas's was built for their lay servants and tenants.
The Normans propagated the cult of Saint Nicholas and many English churches are named after him.
The earliest documentary evidence of this church's existence is in a ruling about tithes in 1177 by Pope Alexander III. Saint Edmund of Abingdon worshipped there as a child and his mother was initially buried there. From its early years, there is evidence that a school used a room in St Nicolas which has links with the founding of Abingdon School.
A tower was added and the chancel rebuilt in the 15th century.
Cit. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Nicolas_Church,_Abingdon
Tip by
5.59 km
Abingdon Market Place
Highlight • Monument
After the abbey's dissolution in 1538, the town sank into decay and, in 1556, upon receiving a representation of its pitiable condition, Mary I granted a charter establishing a mayor, [...], the mayor to be clerk of the market [...]"
Cit. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abingdon-on-Thames
Tip by
5.60 km
Abingdon County Hall Museum
Highlight • Historical Site
[...]
Constructed between 1678 and 1682, the old town hall has the typical combination for the period of a market space sheltering under a courtroom. Examples of this type of building that are earlier in date survive elsewhere as timber-framed free-standing town halls.
Abingdon gains architectural distinction, however, from being built in Oxfordshire limestone; it is a monumental presence despite its compact site.
[...]
Sir Christopher Wren is the most celebrated architect of this period working in this idiom, and in the 1670s he was busy on the designs for rebuilding St Paul’s Cathedral. It has been suggested that Abingdon County Hall was one of his designs, and it was certainly constructed by two men he respected and worked with closely: Christopher Kempster, master mason, and John Scarborough, clerk of works.
Cit. english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/abingdon-county-hall-museum/history
Tip by
6.09 km
River Thames in Abingdon
Highlight • River
Today, the pretty town has plenty of interesting places to visit where you can learn about this history first-hand. There's also a good selection of cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops.
Tip by
17.8 km
Dirt Road in North Wessex Downs
Highlight • Trail
Tip by
23.2 km
Elevated Old Railway Path
Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway
27.8 km
Fulscot Copse
Forest
35.4 km
Wittenham Clumps
Highlight • Viewpoint
The view from the top of the hills is stunning as they afford panoramic views over the surrounding countryside and towns. Artist Paul Nash once described the hills as "a beautiful legendary country haunted by the old gods long forgotten."
Tip by
54.6 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
30.8 km
11.4 km
10.2 km
1.55 km
614 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
53.0 km
931 m
488 m
133 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (130 m)
Lowest point (50 m)
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Weather
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Wednesday 8 July
35°C
16°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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