The Thames Ring — Canal Cruising Ring

Overview

The Thames Ring is the longest mainstream cruising ring on the UK network, looping through London, the Thames Valley, the Cotswolds and the Midlands. It runs to approximately 250 miles with around 175 locks. Most crews complete it in three to four weeks at a relaxed pace, and few attempt it in less than a fortnight. It is regarded as the most ambitious of the standard cruising rings.

Route

The ring links five canals and one river in a clockwise loop:

• Grand Union Canal (Brentford / London to Braunston Junction)
• Oxford Canal (Braunston to Oxford)
• River Thames (Oxford to Brentford / Limehouse)
• (Some crews exit the Thames at Limehouse to take in the tidal Thames and the Limehouse Cut / Lee Navigation; the standard ring exits at Brentford)

Variants:

• The "classic" Thames Ring exits the Thames at Brentford onto the Grand Union and goes back up through London suburbs to the Midlands.
• A "long" variant adds the Kennet & Avon and the South West to make a much larger figure.
• Some operators describe a "Greater Thames Ring" via the South Oxford and Cotswolds — be careful which definition a guide is using.

Highlights

• Tower Bridge and the Thames through central London (if attempting the tidal section)
• Hampton Court, Windsor and the Royal Thames
• The Goring Gap and the Chilterns Thames
• Oxford and the Isis
• The South Oxford summit at Claydon — narrow, lock-heavy and rural
• Braunston Junction and the Stop House
• The Hatton flight (21 locks) on the Grand Union — sometimes detoured via the Warwickshire Ring
• The Tring summit cuttings on the Grand Union

Difficulty

Approximately 175 locks across 250 miles is a moderate ratio, but the Thames sections (non-tidal Oxford to Teddington, optional tidal Teddington to Limehouse) require river skills the average canal hirer will not have. The non-tidal Thames is wide, fast in winter, and operates large mechanised locks under Environment Agency lock keepers in published hours. The tidal Thames between Teddington and Limehouse / Brentford requires VHF radio, a tide-table, anchor, life jackets and (for hire boats) often an EA permit and pilot — most hire firms forbid the tidal Thames entirely. Stream warnings on the non-tidal Thames close the river regularly. The South Oxford has narrow locks, lift bridges and a long lock-heavy summit.

Suitable for

Experienced crews only. Three weeks minimum for a relaxed cruise; four is more comfortable. Most hire firms will not allow their boats on the tidal Thames; check before booking. Three crew minimum.

Where to start

Common hire bases on or near the ring include Braunston, Napton, Hillmorton, Aldermaston (off-ring on the Kennet & Avon), Wallingford / Benson (Thames hire firms), Thrupp (Oxford Canal) and various Grand Union bases. Few hire bases are on the central London Grand Union itself.

Practicalities

• Stream warnings: the non-tidal Thames closes regularly after rain. Check Environment Agency river conditions daily.
• EA lock-keeper hours apply to the Thames; out-of-hours self-service is available but slower.
• Tidal Thames: most hire firms prohibit. If your hire allows it, take a pilot, brief the crew, and book the Brentford tidal lock and Limehouse lock-out passages in advance.
• South Oxford: narrow, with several lift bridges (Aynho, Somerton Deep) and a long summit pound. Watch for stream gauges at lock landings.
• Grand Union: wide locks, mostly paired in the Midlands, single in the south. Hatton flight (21 locks) and Stoke Bruerne flight (7 locks) are the main pieces of work.
• Mobile signal is good through the Thames Valley and Greater London, patchier on the Oxford summit.

Best time of year

Late spring (May/June) through early autumn (September). The Thames is most reliable from May to September. Avoid October to April unless you are happy to lay over for stream warnings. The South Oxford summit can run dry in long hot summers — check CRT water-supply notices.