Oxfordshire's Waterways
Oxfordshire life has long revolved - and evolved - around its waterways - as a means of transport, a source of power and food and latterly the focus of sport and leisure activities.
The River Thames is the major confluence, fed by tributaries which have sustained many of the County's most attractive villages situated along their lush valleys.
River crossing points were vital and recorded in such place names as Oxenford ( where an ox could cross) , and Swinford ( where pigs could cross). We won't mention Duxford as that's near the Other Place - and anyway can't ducks swim?
You can walk all along the Thames Path from Oxfordshire's idyllic Cotswold villages to London's docklands.
The River Thames, fed by its many tributaries, flows west to east to Oxford, then turns south with the market towns of Abingdon, Dorchester, Wallingford and Henley along its banks, on its way to London.
The Thames (or the 'Isis' as it's called in Oxford) is now the focus of much sporting activity, including Oxford's famous 'bumps' or intercollegiate rowing races. Abingdon celebrates with its Dragon boat racing and Henley Regatta is a right Royal occasion. Leisure craft from punts to day boats, from rowing boats to cruisers - to a paddle steamer - ply the river, evidence that people still love just 'messing about in boats'.
The Oxford Canal, one of the earliest, narrowest and most winding, runs north/south between Coventry and Oxford, almost bisecting the County. You can walk or cycle along its towpath - all the way if you wish though it's rather narrow in parts.
