Countryside Code – The Thames Path Dog Walks

The UK has an ever increasing population living in urban and city dwellings with millions never having visited parts of the UK including our beautiful countryside locations. That is, until post lockdown, where many of us flocked to green open spaces, falling in love with the countryside, when needing a day out, weekend break or staycation.

Likewise, the pandemic bought about new changes and that included a massive increase in new millennial dog ownership, an estimated 2.5 million new dogs bought, bringing the UK dog population to an estimated 12.5 million who not only need daily dog walks but are visiting countryside locations with owners ever more frequently in bigger numbers.

\\\ National Trails

Enjoy a fabulous walk at Walton-on Thames, the last part of the non-tidal river, where it becomes tidal at Teddington Lock, being part of the National Trail Thames Path.

This is part of The Thames Path, Stage 12. The National Trail walk starts at Shepperton, is a 10.9 mile walk to Hampton Court and where walkers will –

“visit vast reservoirs, an old racecourse, a royal palace and smart Kingston”.

“From Shepperton Lock there’s a choice of routes depending on whether the ferry is operating.  If it is, you can cross the river and follow the towpath on the south bank; if not then there is a primarily road route that takes you north to cross on Walton Bridge, the latest bridge to be built across the river”.

“Passing enormous reservoirs providing water for the capital, you eventually reach the green space of Hurst Park where horses raced from 1890 to 1962.  Across the river stands Garrick’s Temple built by the actor David Garrick to house a statue of Shakespeare in 1756”.

“Hampton Court Palace and its Home Park, built by Cardinal Wolsey and added to by Henry VIII and William and Mary, dominate the river and enhance the Path as far as Kingston Bridge.  Kingston-upon-Thames has its own association with kings, and continues today as a Royal Borough having been a favoured crowning place for Anglo-Saxon kings”.

Information kindly supplied by The National Trail

The Thames Path Map courtesy of GetOutside

The walk is very manageable during a day out with your dog, as long as your dog is used to longer walks and not just ‘a round the block to the park’ sort of dog, where you’ll need to prepare your dog in advance, over a few weekends by experiencing longer distance walks.

There are dog-friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants along the riverbank where you can find refreshments, perhaps sitting outside in sunshine, relaxing, enjoy a meal, ready to walk the next part of this stage.

Cyclists are welcome on this Path between Shepperton and Hampton Court which is exceedingly pretty, so dog walkers must be aware to readily share the space. If your dog continuously barks at cyclists, then this may be a too busy a route at certain popular times of the day.

Kingston-upon-Thames

The Thames Path

Image Pet Check

Picture is taken looking down stream towards London from Kingston Bridge where the river shortly becomes tidal at Teddington Lock.

The National Trail Organisation have developed their Paths into manageable shorter distance walks and provide this information on their website. The walks can vary, for example, the final stretch in London, the north bank walk from Tower Bridge to the Thames Barrier is just 5.5 miles whilst Lechlade to Newbridge is 16.4 miles.

If you’re planning to cover a distance, then the walks can be planned according to your and your dog’s walking ability and over how many days you want to walk, making an enjoyable break, or you may like the flexibility to do one walk every so often.

The Thames Path is fairly manageable for many abilities, being flattish most of the way. There are options to take water crossings, boat rides and ferry crossings, all adding to the enjoyment of the Trail. There are many historic buildings to see and picturesque outside sites to take in, that you may not wish to rush.

Well-behaved dogs are generally allowed on boats and ferry’s for free. Sea Rules generally ask for them to be restrained on a short lead and sometimes, muzzled. You may need to check the transport providers website before travel.

The water gently laps the river side embankments and in some places is only knee deep as you wade in.

The image features local cows that love a dip during a warm September summers day.

Things to take with you dog walking – You will need for a day’s dog walk – In addition to collar, ID tag and lead, (short and long), the usual dog coat, if weather requires this, or sunblock, plentiful full water bottle and collapsible bowl for your dog, a dry meal is helpful for a stop over break if walking a longer route, optional treats, and muzzle.

When you return to your vehicle, it’s handy to have old towels to clean off mud, more clean fresh water and some dry food before a journey home.

The Thames Path walks with distances are as follows –

• The Source to Cricklade – 12.3 miles (19.7 Km)
• Cricklade to Lechlade – 11 miles (17.5 Km)
• Lechlade to Newbridge – 16.4 miles (26.2 Km)
• Newbridge to Oxford – 14 miles (22.4 Km)
• Oxford to Abingdon-on-Thames – 9.9 miles (15.8 Km)
• Abingdon-on-Thames to Wallingford – 13.5 miles (21.6 Km)
• Wallingford to Tilehurst – 14.8 miles (23.7 Km)
• Tilehurst to Henley-on-Thames – 12.3 miles (19.7 Km)
• Henley-on-Thames to Marlow – 8.7 miles (13.9 Km)
• Marlow to Windsor – 14.3 miles (22.3 Km)
• Windsor to Shepperton – 13.7 miles (21.9 Km)
• Shepperton to Teddington – 10.9 miles (17.4 Km)
• Teddington to Putney (The south bank route is 11.6 miles (18.6 Km), the north bank route is 14.1 miles (22.6 Km)
• Putney to Tower Bridge (The south bank route is 10.5 miles (16.8 Km), the north bank route is 10.3 miles (16.5 Km)
• Tower Bridge to Thames Barrier (The south bank route is 10 miles (16 Km). The north bank route to Island Gardens is 5.5 miles (8.8 Km)

With all the 16 UK National Trail Paths they provide lists of much shorter ‘Circular Walks’ being exactly that, where you can start and finish at your preferred location.

The 24 Thames Path Circular Walks include –

• A walk along the Thames around Eton approximately 3.5 miles
• Abingdon, Culham, Clifton Hampden circular walk 10 miles
• Buscot circular Walk 3 miles
• Chertsey and Weybridge 4 Miles
• Circular walk in Turner’s Footsteps from the Thames Path to Sandycombe Lodge and back 1.9 miles
• Circular walk of Oxford
• Cookham Village Circular Route 1.5 miles
• Cotswold Water Park Walk 3. Rivers, Brooks and Lakes 3.6 miles
• Dorchester and Little Wittenham 2 miles
• Eynsham walk 1 4 miles
• Eynsham walk 2 8 miles
• Goring to Hartslock Circular Walk 5.5 miles
• Goring to Pangbourne 5 miles
• Hambleden & Medmenham Circular Walk 5.5 miles
• Kelmscott Circular Walk 1 mile
• Marlow circular 6.4 miles
• Newbridge to Harts Footbridge 3 miles
• North Meadow, Cricklade 2 miles
• Northmoor Circular Walk 5.5 miles
• Oxford to Abingdon 10 miles
• Reading to Shiplake 6.5 miles
• Thames Valley and Chilterns walk : (short and long routes) 2.25 and 7.5 miles
• 3 Walks in and Around Wallingford 1.5 to 3 miles
• Whitchurch-on-Thames Circular Walk 6 miles

Several organisations cover The Thames Path as it runs through so many different counties, regions and London, such as Transport for London. There are numerous books that you can buy to cover the different walks when you are planning your visit.

The Path is cared for by many volunteers as well local council funded organisations, without their support these Paths would not be maintained to the high standards that walkers experience.

When walking The Thames Path, you’ll notice the abundance of wildlife that live close the river side, it’s their home and naturally wander onto the river banks. It is important to keep your dog on a short lead, away from the water’s edge, to not interfere with these wild animals.

Swans and geese will hiss quite violently at the sight of a dog and are agitated by their presence, anytime of the year, and even more so with young offspring to protect. Dogs will attack swans, geese, ducks and other wildfowl with devastating consequences. Read about a horrific attack on a swan by a dog, The Mirror Newspaper. If you stumble upon wild fowl needing help, the RSPCA have much information online including a call line for those wild animals that may have been injured or attacked.

Wildlife at the side of

The Thames Path

river banks

need protecting from your dog

Image Pet Check

Long and overdue, the Countryside Code has been updated, the guide that the UK public should know and abide by, when stepping out into the countryside.

The UK Countryside Code was introduced, 1951, to provide everyone with a helpful guide to enjoy the benefits of visiting the countryside whilst respecting the nature. It doesn’t just apply to farmland as the name possibly suggests but country parks, coastal areas, scientific areas, areas of outstanding beauty, moorlands, mountainous regions, all areas open to the public including rivers and canal walkways.

Not all UK schools manage to teach our children the Countryside Code, so it’s important for all new visitors to take the time to catch up before a visit.

It’s essential dogs are always kept in sight and good at responding to your commands in new environments. Problems generally occur when a dog acts of character and suddenly bolts or new dog owners fail to know and follow the Code when in new surroundings.

It’s essential dogs are always kept in sight and good at responding to your commands in new environments. Problems generally occur when a dog acts of character and suddenly bolts or new dog owners fail to know and follow the Code when in new surroundings.

Keeping your dog under effective control to make sure it stays away from wildlife, livestock, horses and other people unless invited. It is good practice wherever you are to keep your dog on a lead around livestock.

Always check local signs as there are situations when you must keep your dog on a lead for all or part of the year. Local areas may also ban dogs completely, except for assistance dogs. Signs will tell you about these local restrictions.

On Open Access land and at the coast, you must put your dog on a lead around livestock. Between 1 March, and 31 July, you must have your dog on a lead on Open Access land, even if there is no livestock on the land. These are legal requirements.

A farmer can shoot a dog that is attacking or chasing livestock. They may not be liable to compensate the dog’s owner.

Let your dog off the lead if you feel threatened by livestock or horses. Do not risk getting hurt protecting your dog. Releasing your dog will make it easier for you both to reach safety.

What does the Code require of dog walkers when walking by rivers?