Abingdon Marina to Henley by narrowboat
It is 38 miles and 11 locks from Abingdon Marina to Henley, about 12 hours 32 minutes of cruising, comfortably done in 3 days at 6 hours a day. The route is checked against live closure notices - 3 active stoppages currently affect its waterways, and the plan below works around or waits out what it can (last checked 28 Aug 2026).
Recalculated 6 Aug 2026 against live closures.
A stately middle-Thames cruise through some of the river’s most famous water. From Abingdon the route runs down past Clifton Hampden, the Wittenham Clumps and the Goring Gap, where the river cuts between the Chilterns and the Berkshire Downs, then on through Pangbourne and Reading. It finishes along the regatta reach into Henley-on-Thames, with rowing eights for company and grand riverside lawns on either bank.
The route in words
Waterways on this route, in order:
Day by day
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Day 118.83 mi 5 locks 5 h 59 min arrive ~13:59Overnight: Goring Thames Sailing Club
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Day 217.93 mi 5 locks 6 h 0 min arrive ~14:00Overnight: Val Wyatt Marine
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Day 31.5 mi 1 lock 33 min arrive ~08:33
Live closures on this route
Most planners list stoppages and leave you to plot around them. Canal Nav checks every live notice and plans this route around anything blocking - automatically, each time it is recalculated.
20 live notices on this route's waterways (last checked 28 Aug 2026, 04:15). The live map routes around anything blocking.
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Restriction
Canal Bridge, Radcot: A vehicle has damaged Canal Bridge, where Radcot Road A4095 crosses the River Thames. Please be cautious of falling debris if navigating near the bridge.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2026-05-03
Godstow Lock: Shoal reported downstream of lock. Boaters should navigate with caution.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2025-02-03
Osney reach: East Street moorings, Oxford, are closed for public safety purposes, both waterside and landside. No alternative moorings are available.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2026-06-01
Abingdon reach: Shoal reported downstream of lock. Boaters to navigate with caution. Shoal marked with navigation buoys.
Read the notice → -
Restriction
Clifton weir stream: Shoal reported downstream of The Plough public house. Boaters are advised not to navigate up Clifton weir stream.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2024-06-22
Benson Lock: Shoal reported downstream of lock. When navigating upstream the shoal is on the right hand side of the navigation channel. Boaters should navigate with caution when entering or exiting th
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2026-05-18
Benson reach: Submerged vessel reported opposite Rush Court Care Home on right side of channel looking upstream. Hazard is marked with navigation buoys. Boaters should navigate with extreme caution.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2024-04-20
Whitchurch head lock cut: Obstruction to navigation above head gates. Boaters should navigate with caution when entering or exiting the upstream lock cut.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2026-08-26
Whitchurch Lock: Desilting works taking place at Whitchurch Lock, boaters to be aware of delays to navigation whilst works ongoing.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2024-04-23
Caversham reach: Submerged boat tied to left hand bank looking upstream, just upstream of St Mary's Island. Boaters should navigate with caution.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2026-03-05
Caversham reach: Fallen tree obstructing navigation at Poplar Island, what3words///employ.data.waving. All vessels should navigate with extreme caution.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2026-06-01
Shiplake reach: Tree obstruction to navigation on Phillimore Island, right hand side of channel looking upstream. Boaters to navigate with caution. Obstruction marked with navigation buoys.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2026-01-24
Hurley Lock: Vessels navigating in the weir stream towards Hurley Weir should exercise extreme caution. Unsecured chain from Harleyford Manor chain ferry potentially impacting over half of the navigat
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Restriction
Boulters Lock: Gates on the pedestal side do not open fully. Width of the tail gates is restricted to no more than 4.8 metres (15'8). Please use caution when entering and exiting the lock.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2026-02-09
Bell Weir reach: To facilitate Bell Weir refurbishment, contractors will be setting up equipment around Runnymede Pleasure Grounds. Boaters to maintain lookout for ad hoc restrictions and closures to
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2026-08-20
Sunbury Lock to Teddington Lock: Confirmed presence of blue-green algae bloom between Sunbury Lock and Teddington Lock. Some blue-green algae can produce toxins that may be harmful to people and anima
Read the notice → -
Closure 2023-10-01
Teddington Launch Lock: Lock is closed for repairs to lock walls, gate ram trench and areas of the lock side. Teddington Barge Lock is fully operational.
Read the notice → -
Restriction 2026-07-29 – 2026-09-11
Teddington Lock: To facilitate Teddington Launch Lock refurbishment works, contractors will be assembling equipment at the tail of the barge lock. Boaters may experience delays to navigation through t
Read the notice → -
Closure 2026-08-20
Caversham reach: Temporary Bridge for Reading Festival 2026: the temporary closure will be managed by our staff on patrol launches throughout the night.
Read the notice → -
Closure 2026-09-03
Bell Weir Lock: Bell Weir Lock will be closed for a duration of 4 hours to allow contractors to carry out essential works.
Read the notice →
Coming back the other way
The return from Henley to Abingdon Marina covers the same water, the same 38 miles and 11 locks, again over about 3 days - only the overnight moorings shift.
Reverse day-by-day plan
- Day 1: 17.39 mi, 6 locks - overnight Mooring
- Day 2: 19.3 mi, 4 locks - overnight Abingdon Marina
- Day 3: 1.57 mi, 1 lock
Start and finish
Plan it properly
Distances and times are planning estimates (last computed 6 Aug 2026). Always check live closures on the map before setting off.
Cruising Abingdon Marina way? Plan it in minutes.
Turn-by-turn routing with live closures, lock counts and day planning - free.