184 MILES Rises in the Western Cotswolds. An ever changing, diverse countryside. Passing villages in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Through historic cities such as Windsor and Oxford. Past large cities, Swindon, Reading and Staines. and finally of course through the Capital.

THAMES PATH TIME LINE 1800s

1930s Canal system fallen into a state of disrepair. However! Thames Councils get together with the idea of utilising the Thames Path.

1940s After World War II the desire to keep areas of Britain special, to protect these areas, and give something back to the returning servicemen of WWII. In September 1947, the ‘Hobhouse Committee’ recommended the establishment of long distance and coastal routes (now called National Trails in England and Wales). The six recommended inland paths were The Pennine Way, The Ridgeway, The Pilgrims Way – known as the North Downs way, The South Downs Way, Offa’s Dyke Path and the Thames Path. National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, sections 50A The first such route, the Pennine Way was opened in 1965.

1950s-1990s

Lobbying to create The Thames Path

1996

NATIONAL TRAILS

Now Natural England’s New Deal for National Trails. Centred around forming a Partnership of interested organisations Environment Agency Highway Authorities River Thames Society River Thames Alliance Chilterns AONB North Wessex Downs AONB Thames Landscape Strategy Transport for London Thames Estuary Partnership (growing list)

The 4 E’s Experience - enable as many people as possible to enjoy a wide variety of walking and riding experiences along National Trails and through the English landscape Enhancement - make constant improvement to the Trail and its associated routes. Contribute to the enhancement of the landscape, nature and historic features within the trail corridor. Engagement - build and sustain a community of interest in caring for the Trail and the landscape through which it passes. Economy - creates opportunities for local businesses to benefit from the use of Trails.

THAMES PATH WEBSITE

WEBSITE HITS Average hits 50,000 per month

THAMES PATH ON-LINE MARKET RESEARCH Would you recommend the Thames Path to other users?

What did you enjoy most about your visit

How much did you spend per visit to the Thames Path

Did you use public transport to and from the trail?

WHY WALK? WALK THIS WAY ‘While all the forms of physical activity such as sports, gym-type exercise, games, running and dance are beneficial, walking has the greatest chance of making the greatest difference to the greatest number of people’ What stops us from walking? Problems in the quality of the physical environment. Lack of information about opportunities to walk Psycho-social barriers – for a variety of reasons many people are not keen to walk.

BENEFITS TO BEING ACTIVE All Cause Mortality20-35% Heart Disease & Stroke 20-35% Type 2 Diabetes35-50% Colon Cancer30-50% Breast Cancer20% Hip Fracture36-68% Depression20-30% Alzheimer’s Disease60% CONDITIONRISK REDUCTION Obesity is responsible for 9000 premature deaths each year in England and reduces life expectancy by, on average nine years. (That’s more than the population of Cricklade and Lechlade – The first Towns on The Thames!)

Former Chief Medical Officer for England ‘If a medication existed which had a similar effect to physical activity, it would be regarded as a ‘wonder drug’ or a miracle cure’ National Research shows that for every £1 invested in increasing walking and improving public access to green spaces £7 is saved in NHS expenditure through Health and Well being benefits

FUTURE To be an inclusive trail for all and help break down barriers that stop us from walking. To get as many people out enjoying their river trail. We want to engage with businesses along the trail to see how we can work together to help future proof the trail.

JULY 2016