This year marks a special milestone for one of Britain’s most cherished walking routes, the Thames Path National Trail, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary in memorable style.
To honour the occasion, a unique relay walk will trace the full length of the trail - beginning at its tranquil source in the Cotswolds on 5 June 2026 and culminating at the historic riverside of Woolwich on 28 June 2026.
More than just a celebration, the Thames Path Relay is part of a wider movement. Delivered in collaboration with Mayors for Drinkable Thames, the event supports the growing Drinkable Rivers campaign, which champions cleaner, healthier waterways for communities and wildlife alike.
Along the 185-mile route, Ramblers groups are stepping up to mark the anniversary in their own way - hosting an expanded programme of guided walks and, in many cases, taking part in the relay itself. From rural stretches to iconic urban riverside scenes, walkers will carry the baton through a rich tapestry of landscapes and history.
In London, three groups from the Inner London Area, Capital Walkers, South Bank Ramblers and West London Ramblers, are joining the relay effort. Capital Walkers is working in partnership with the Thames Strategy Kew to Chelsea, to lead a particularly scenic section on Thursday 25 June, 2026. Thames Strategy Kew to Chelsea is a partnership based on a 100-year visioning document to guide change along the river from Kew Bridge to Battersea Power Station and shape how the river, local authorities, and communities plan for the future. Their walk follows the river from leafy Kew to the striking riverside landmark of Battersea Power Station—a stretch that perfectly captures the blend of heritage, nature and modern London that defines the Thames Path experience. Full details of the walk can be found on the Ramblers walk programme as follows: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/thames-path-30th-anniversary-relay-walk-kew-battersea-power-station
Building on the momentum of the relay, Capital Walkers will also lead the next leg of the journey on Friday 26 June, 2026 - this time as a memorable evening walk. Setting out from the iconic Battersea Power Station, the route follows the Thames through the heart of the capital, finishing at the elegant Millennium Bridge. As daylight softens into dusk, this stretch offers a striking perspective on London’s riverside -where historic landmarks and modern architecture are reflected in the water, and the city takes on a different rhythm. Full details of the walk can be found on the Ramblers walk programme as follows: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/thames-path-30th-anniversary-relay-walk-battersea-power-station-millennium
Continuing the relay through the capital, South Bank Ramblers will guide walkers along the next stretch on Saturday 27 June, 2026. This section begins at the striking Millennium Bridge and follows the Thames eastwards to the historic Cutty Sark at Greenwich. https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/thames-path-30th-anniversary-relay-walk-millenium-bridge-cutty-sark-linear
Bringing the relay to a fitting conclusion, West London Ramblers will lead the final stage on Sunday 28 June, 2026. Setting out from the historic Cutty Sark, the route follows the Thames east to the Trail's finishing point at Woolwich. This closing stretch captures the changing character of the river as it widens towards the estuary, passing through areas rich in maritime history and ongoing regeneration. It’s a powerful finale to the relay - not only the journey along the Thames Path, but the communities and landscapes that define it. Full details of the walk can be found on the Ramblers walk programme as follows: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/thames-path-30th-anniversary-relay-walk-cutty-sark-woolwich
It is entirely fitting that West London Ramblers lead the final section of the relay. The group shares a deep and enduring connection with David Sharp, widely regarded as the founding father of the Thames Path National Trail. As part of the West London Group and later Richmond Ramblers, he was instrumental in transforming an ambitious vision into one of the country’s most treasured long-distance routes. The origins of the Thames Path can be traced back to 1973, when, at a public meeting in Windsor organised by the River Thames Society, David sketched out a possible riverside route - an idea that would grow into the trail we know today. He went on to mobilise Ramblers groups to survey the river, identifying missing links and proposing practical solutions, from new footpaths to much-needed footbridges. Within just 18 months, their work had evolved into a compelling campaign, demonstrating that a continuous path along the Thames was not only desirable, but achievable. David represented The Ramblers at the official opening of the Thames Path on 24 July 1996 at the Thames Barrier - the eastern end of the trail - until 2022 when it was extended to the Woolwich Foot Tunnel, where it now connects with the King Charles III England Coast Path.
As the relay reaches its final stage, it celebrates not only 30 years of the Thames Path, but also the vision, persistence and collaboration that brought it into being—an enduring legacy shaped by people like David Sharp.
For walkers and river-lovers alike, this anniversary relay offers a rare opportunity to be part of a shared journey—celebrating not just a trail, but the enduring life of the River Thames itself.