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Source of the River Thames – Cirencester Amphitheatre loop from Kemble

Routes

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

05:58

23.0km

140m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 10, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 7.14 km for 233 m

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

After 8.00 km for 1.10 km

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

After 10.2 km for 3.30 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 the Wysis Way, a superb trek which links the Offa's Dyke Path to the Thames Path by way of the Wye Valley and the Cotswolds.

The village is superbly accessible thanks to its pretty railway station, which has direct services to London Paddington, Swindon, Gloucester and Cheltenham. Just to the west of the village is Cotswold Airport, which is used by light industry.

Tip by

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 recorded has a very high turnstile and so not as accessible as the rest of the walk

Tip by

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.

Tip by

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 in the 1780s for the labourers working on the tunnel. At the time of writing (April 2021), this beautiful and historic Cotswold hostelry is closed but the building remains as a reminder of the region’s industrial heritage.

Tip by

8.02 km

Ten Rides

Viewpoint

11.5 km

Seven Rides

Viewpoint

13.7 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.

Tip by

14.0 km

Monarch's Way at Cirencester Abbey Grounds

Highlight • Historical Site

The Monarch's Way is a well-known hiking / trail running route. Based on the route taken by King Charles II during the Civil War. This section is right by Cirencester Abbey and in the Town Centre.
Nearby is "The Fleece" pub & restaurant, which also has some interesting history. The king is said to have stayed in room 1 while on the "monarchs way"

Tip by

15.5 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 (46 m) by 135 feet (41 m) — would have held around 8,000 spectators. At the time the amphitheatre was built, Cirencester (known then as Corinium) was the second largest city in England, second only to London, with a population of more than 10,000. The monument, which is managed by English Heritage, is free to enter during reasonable daylight hours. For more information, visit: english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/cirencester-amphitheatre.

Tip by

17.7 km

Chesterton Plantation

Forest

17.9 km

Ewen Copse

Forest

23.0 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.03 km

6.32 km

3.30 km

3.21 km

3.01 km

166 m

Surfaces

9.86 km

5.83 km

2.73 km

2.41 km

2.02 km

185 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (180 m)

Lowest point (100 m)

Weather

Sunday 5 July

28°C

14°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 25.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Source of the River Thames – Cirencester Amphitheatre loop from Kemble

Kemble Village

Source of the River Thames

Ruined Stone Tower in The Cotswolds

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

Sapperton Canal Tunnel Entrance

Galaxy Hare Sculpture, Cirencester

Monarch's Way at Cirencester Abbey Grounds

Cirencester Amphitheatre

Nearby routes

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