Trip Schedule
Day 1: Buscot to Radcot Bridge
| Start Point: |
Buscot Lock - Buscot near Lechlade, SN7 8DA - www.visitthames.co.uk |
| Start Time: |
10am |
| Finish Point: |
The Swan Hotel Radcot-on-Thames, Bampton, OX18 2SX |
| Finish Time: |
4pm |
Day 2: Radcot to Tadpole Bridge
| Start Point: |
The Swan Hotel - Radcot-on-Thames, Bampton, OX18 2SX |
| Start Time: |
10am |
| Finish Point: |
The Trout Inn - Tadpole Bridge, Buckland Marsh, Faringdon, SN7 8RF |
| Finish Time: |
4pm |
Trip Information
Swimming Distances Day 1
| Swim |
Distances |
| Buscot to Kelmscott |
3km |
| Kelmscott to Grafton |
2.5km |
| Grafton to Radcot Bridge |
1.5km |
Swimming Distances Day 2
| Swim |
Distances |
| Radcot Bridge to Radcot Lock |
1km |
| Radcot Lock to Lunch on river bank |
2km |
| Lunch spot to Rushey Lock |
1.5km |
| Rushey Lock to Tadpole Bridge |
1.5km |
Temperatures
| Month |
WaterTemp (˚C) |
Temp (˚C) |
| July |
19 |
26 |
| August |
21 |
27 |
Temperatures indicative only and can change daily
Equipment to bring along with you
In addition to “normal” daily clothes, you will need to bring the following:
- Swimming costume (2 of)
- Swimming goggles (2 of)*
- Towel
- Small daypack
- Sweater/Fleece
- Warm clothes including woolly hat
- Sun hat and suncream
- Waterproof jacket
- Aqua Shoes/Sandals (that you dont mind getting wet!
*Try to bring 1 clear lens and 1 tinted lens for different light conditions
Swim Hats, Flippers and Wetsuits
Please note that SwimTrek will supply swim hats. We will have a limited supply/range of wetsuits and flippers available on the trip, but we cannot guarantee sizes for all. If you have your own wetsuit and flippers we would recommend you bring these with you in order to maximise your enjoyment of the trip.
Group Size
Up to a maximum of 12 people, with 2 swimming guides and escort boats.
Practical Information
Getting There day 1
Public transport
Catch a train to Swindon, then take the connecting Stagecoach bus (No: 64 www.stagecoachbus.com) to Lechlade Markets. Please note that there is no bus service on a Sunday. From Lechlade you can either walk along the Thames Path (approx 1 hour) or catch a taxi (Lechlade Taxis 01367 252575) which takes approx 15 minutes. You may need to book the taxi in advance as it is a solo operation.
Driving
At Lechlade take the A417 to Buscot. Follow signs for Buscot Lock. There is a national trust car park 200m before the lock, where you can leave your car for the duration of the trip.
At the end of the trip: On finishing the trip at Radcot Bridge, you will be able to share a taxi with other guests back to Buscot Lock and other destinations. It costs roughly £20 from Radcot Bridge to Buscot Lock.
Getting There day 2
Public transport
Catch a train to Swindon or Oxford, then take the connecting
Stagecoach bus (No 66 www.stagecoachbus.com) to Faringdon. Please note that there is no bus service on a Sunday. From Faringdon, catch a taxi (Webb Cars 07970 395697) which takes approx 15 minutes. We suggest booking the taxi in advance.
Driving
At Faringdon follow signs onto the A4095 towards Witney (there is a sharp left turn off Church Street onto Radcot Road). Continue on this road for approx 3 miles, and as you pass over a small bridge after a traffic light, there is a field to the right which is where you can leave your car for the duration of the trip. You will see the Swan Hotel opposite.
At the end of the trip: On finishing the trip at Tadpole Bridge, you will be able to share a taxi with other guests back to Radcot Bridge and other destinations. It costs roughly £20 from Tadpole Bridge to Radcot Bridge.
Accommodation
If you would like to book accommodation pre- or post-trip, or if you are swimming both days, there are some B&B’s available only a short taxi ride away.
- The Pound B&B - Clanfield - 01367 810 688
- The Coach House - Bampton - 01993 851 041
- The Plough Inn - Kelmscott - 01367 253 543
If you wish to stay here please contact the B&B/hotel directly
Meals Day 1
Meals are not included - we stop at the Plough Inn at Kelmscott for lunch, and this is at your own cost. We finish the day at the Swan Inn at Radcot.
Meals Day 2
We will stop for lunch on the banks of the river, and will provide a wholesome picnic lunch.
Extra Expenses
You should bring extra money with you to cover items such as entertainment, meals where applicable, snacks, souvenirs, etc
Passports and Visas
The Thames is part of the United Kingdom. If you are from outside the UK, you will require a full passport to enter, that should be valid for 6 months beyond the expected length of stay. Holders of Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, South African and US Passports are given "leave to enter" the UK. Citizens of the EU do not need a visa to enter. Visa regulations do change. Please check!