How to get there - Wallingford is on the west bank of the River Thames, halfway between Oxford and Reading. It is best approached via the A4074 (turning west onto the minor road at Crowmarsh Gifford)
For those with SatNav the postcode is OX10 0BL.
Get a map with driving directions to start or end (enter the postcode of your starting point at A)
Suggested Launch Site - The launch site is over the bank of the park/ camp site to the north of the old bridge. This was the second leg of a two day trip having camped overnight at the campsite. The site is council owned and operated and is functional rather than luxurious but very conveniently located for all of the ammenities of Wallingford.
General
Description - Turn south under Wallingford Bridge and in 1 mile pass under the new byepass bridge. In addition to the normal cruiser river traffic, this stretch is also popular with rowers. Moulesford Railway bridge was built by IK Brunel for the Great Western Railway.
The Beetle & Wedge Hotel (several up market restaurants) marks the site of the old ferry between Mouleford and South Stoke and utilises the buildings of the old manor house. A mile further on is Cleve Lock followed by Goring Lock half a mile further on. As all Thames Locks these are powered and manned by Lock Keepers so there is no need to portage.
Goring is a popular stop with the river cruisers, no doubt in part due to the several pubs that are only a short walk into the village, before the final four miles or rural river to Pangbourne. The Child-Beale Wildlife Park is passed on the right bank before the river joins the road and the railway for the final mile into Pangbourne. The Swan public house was where we chose to leave the river (there is a slipway for larger craft). We had left the car in the public car park the other side of the station to avoid congesting the pub car park and just brought the car up to the pub to load up.
The days trip is 10 miles and 2 locks.
Comments on this trip
Julii 31 Aug 2022
July 2022 I had trouble with PD parking at Wallingford, on a Sunday morning the machine would not let me pay for more than 3.5 hours which (strong headwind) wasn't long enough for me to get to Pangborne cycle back. There are a lot of free access points down the river which locals obviously know well. Would be worth asking for local information how to access these free sites south of Wallingford, especially if dealing with a strong wind trying to get to Pangborne.
ColinG 15 Jul 2013
Alternative get on is immediately below (south) of the bridge.Car park at Wallingford riverside is not free all year round. By arrangement a free coach parking area is available at the nearby council offices at weekends.Correction Cleve is spelt CleeveAlternative get out is just below Whitchurch lock on river right below the toll bridge and walk across the meadow to the car park adjacent to Adventure Dolphin Centre, home of Pangbourne CC. Car park currently free on a Sunday.Whitchurch bridge is soon to be refurbished see whitchurchbridge.com for details and will occupy some of the landing area.
