Access from the A361 from Swindon or A417 from Cirencester
Lechlade - The small Cotswold market town of Lechlade is situated at the southern borders of the Cotswolds where the Rivers Coln and Leach join the Thames, and Inglesham, just above Lechlade, marks the head of its navigation. For centuries Lachlade was on one of the main trade arteries west from London, by both road and river. Leisure boats have replaced the trading vessels for Lechlade is now a favourite mooring place.
To the east on the A417, near the confluence of the Thames and the Leach is St. John's bridge, reputed to be the first stone bridge over the Thames outside London. The original structure dates back to 1229, but was rebuilt about 1830. Near the bridge is St. John's lock overlooked by a statue purporting to be Father Thames, brought here from its original site near the source of the river. To the south the A361 road crosses the Thames with the old tollbridge, the 18th century Halfpenny bridge.
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Lechlade-upon-Thames Map click on map for larger scale
It was at Lechlade where stone from the quarries at Taynton was put into barges for transport downstream, where it was used in many buildings including Windsor Castle, many Oxford Colleges and St. Paul's Cathedral.
The town of Lechlade is dominated by the spire of St. Lawrence's Church. The spire was descibed by the 16th century antiquary John Leland in his famous Itinerary 'as a pratie pyramis of stone'. The interior is handsomely proportioned with high clerestory and a magnificent chancel roof with carved bosses. It was the churchyard at Lechlade that inspired the poet Shelley to compose his Summer Evening Meditation, and there are few better places to stop awhile than this quiet corner.
River Thames trips are available (subject to weather and river conditions)
aboard the luxury Thames launch Inglesham throughout the summer season (April
through to September/October). The departure
point (see map above) is
on the south bank of the river from the popular Riverside Park (by kind permission of Swindon
Borough Council) and trips will take about 30 minutes. Crews will be available to waft
you gently up-river every weekend and Bank Holidays (and possibly weekdays as well during
the height of the summer subject to other bookings). Normal operating times are from 11:00
until 17:00.
For further information see - www.aardvark-world.org.uk/canals/inglesham/public.htm.
