22/07/24 - Thames Path from Kennington, Oxfordshire

Lunchtime at a Hungry Horse

More Thames loveliness from one of my favourite references - Walks Along the Thames Path.

Thames Signage showing progress

We are now south of Oxfordshire, walking from previously unvisited Kennington. I had no idea what to expect from the pub that provided parking, The Tandem. I cannot remember the last time I Hungry Horsed.

Post Walk Refreshments

The footpath is picked up from the car park - across the railway line and onto undeveloped land on both sides of the river. There is one prominent building on Rose Isle and then a pub/houses at Sandford on Thames. It's mainly us, waterfowl and the Thames lapping scarily high at the bank tops.

Rose Isle

Kings Head at Sandford 

A few weirs, one known as the Sandford Lasher. Notable for taking the lives of several Oxford undergraduates over the years. Described in Jerome's 3 men in a boat as a "good place to drown yourself". There is a memorial obelisk in the centre of the weir, where he further comments; 

'the steps of the obelisk are generally used as a diving-board by young men now who wish to see if the place really IS dangerous.'

Humanity in a sentence.

We leave the Thames at Radley Boat House - the local school, whose grounds we walk through after lashings of ginger beer at the community village shop. A mixture of playing fields, woodland and crops.

Thankful for the pub

Back to the pub..... workmen taking advantage of all day breakfasts. Pensioners starting the week with a Monday bang. A little AI research gives the background on its unique name;

The Tandem Pub in Kennington, Oxfordshire, has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century. Originally built as a house, it has a stone inscribed with the date 1770 and the initials T.W., indicating it was constructed by Timothy West. In the 18th century, it was known as "The Fish" and served as a resting point for people, particularly students from Oxford University, who would stop by with their horses.

By the 19th century, it had become popular for university students who enjoyed driving their horses in tandem, which led to its renaming as "The Tandem." This name change reflected its role as a place where students could keep and harness a second horse for their drives, which was restricted within the city limits of Oxford.

The pub underwent significant rebuilding and enlargement in 1939, preserving its historical foundation while updating its structure. Today, it is a family-friendly pub under the Hungry Horse brand, maintaining its place as a local favorite while also catering to modern tastes and conveniences​

Walk Details

Distance - 6.5miles

Geocaches - 4

Walk Inspiration - Walks Along the Thames Path, Walk 8