This is a short walk by way of Benson and Shillingford to reach the confluence of the Thames and Thame beneath the Sinodun Hills. Nearby is Dorchester, dominated by its huge church, where the monastic guesthouse maintains the tradition of hospitality by serving teas.
Refreshments
Wallingford: Baker’s Oven, Market Place. Open weekdays.
Wallingford: Wallingford Tearoom, The Lamb Arcade, 83 High Street (Wed-Sun 10am-5pm). First floor; High Street and Castle Street corner.
Wallingford: Five Little Pigs, 26 St Mary’s Street. (Tue-Fri 12-11pm; Sat 10.30am-midnight; Sun 10.30am-3pm) Local suppliers and sustainable practices.
Wallingford: Waitrose, 1 St Martin’s Street. Cafe open daily.
Benson: Waterfront Cafe. 9am-7pm (Thur-Sat 8pm).
Shillingford Bridge: Bridge House tea room. Open afternoons Easter-September and weekend afternoons in winter.
Accommodation
Wallingford: Little Gables, 166 Crowmarsh Hill, OX10 8BG (01491 837834).
Wallingford: 11 St Leonard’s Lane OX10 0HA (01491 833309). Next to Thames Path.
Wallingford: 52 Blackstone Road OX10 (01491 839339).
Wallingford campsites on Crowmarsh bank: May-Sept (01491 835232) or Feb-Dec (01491 836860).
Benson: 2 Castle Close, OX10 6SN (01491 835505).
Benson: Camping Park, OX10 6SJ (01491 838304). Mar-Oct.
Shillingford Bridge: North Farm, Shillingford Hill, OX10 8NB (01865 858406). No smoking. Cross the bridge and turn right for 3/4 mile.
Shillingford Bridge: Bridge House OX10 7EU (01865 858540). Christian community following green guidelines.
Shillingford: Marsh House, 7 Court Drive, OX10 7ER (01865 858496). Turn right by Shillingford Court before Wharf.
Shillingford: The Kingfisher Inn OX10 7EL (01865 858595).
Shillingford: Alouette, 2 Caldicott Close OX10 7HF (01865 858600).
Transport
Wallingford: Bus 105 (Thames Travel 01491 837988) from Cholsey Station. On certain days there are steam trains from Wallingford to Cholsey Station (information 01491 835067).
Dorchester: Bus 105 (Thames Travel (01491 837988) to Oxford or Cholsey then National Rail.
Tourist Information
Wallingford: Town Hall, Market Place, OX10 0EG (01491 826972). Open Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm (lunch 1-1.30pm) & Sat 10am-2pm.
Maps
OS Explorer 170 (Abingdon).