Thames Head, River source in Cotswolds, England.
Thames Head consists of seasonal springs that emerge near the villages of Coates and Kemble, situated on both sides of the A433 road.
The location has been documented as the source of the River Thames since 1546, when antiquarian John Leland first recorded this geographical feature.
The stone marker placed by Thames Conservancy in 1974 indicates the start point of England's most significant waterway at Trewsbury Mead.
Access to Thames Head requires a 30-minute walk from Kemble village along the Thames Path National Trail through agricultural fields.
During the 2022 heat wave, the source completely dried up, causing the river's starting point to shift five miles downstream to Somerford Keynes.
Location: Cotswold
Made from material: stone
Operator: Conservators of the River Thames
Address: Trewsbury Rd, Coates, Cirencester GL7 6NY, UK GL7 6NY Coates
GPS coordinates: 51.69452,-2.02968
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:31
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