Mill Meadows

The Thames Path runs right through Mill Meadows, and that's honestly the best way to experience it. This stretch of riverside meadow near Henley-on-Thames is proper walking territory - flat, easy going, and the sort of place you'll see herons fishing if you're quiet about it. The meadow opens up on both sides of the river, with access to the towpath that connects the whole valley.

It's a nature reserve rather than a formal attraction, so there's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of. What you get instead is genuine riverside habitat: marshland, riverside trees, and genuine wildlife. Birdwatchers will spend hours here. Families with younger kids might manage a decent walk but won't find the structured entertainment they'd want for a full afternoon.

The real strength of Mill Meadows is how it slots into a Thames Valley walking holiday. You're minutes from Henley-on-Thames, and the path extends for miles in both directions - you can link it with circular routes that take in the surrounding villages and other stretches of the river. The camping and caravan parks clustered around Henley, like Swiss Farm Touring (barely a mile away) and Embers Camping, give you a proper base to explore the whole area without moving your van.

Go early in the day when wildlife is most active and the towpath's quieter. Free to access, no entry charges. The walking here is genuinely excellent if you're the sort who enjoys riverside countryside without the crowds you'd hit at more famous spots.