The Thames Valley is an area found along the middle reaches of the
River Thames in England. The region encompasses parts of Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, North
Hampshire , Surrey and Oxfordshire. However it does not include the source of the Thames at Thames Head in
Gloucestershire , the county of
Wiltshire , central and east
London or the outflowing of the Thames into the
Thames Estuary . Covering such a large part of southern England, the Thames Valley is an extremely diverse region. Included within it are many parks and areas of natural beauty and importance. By contrast the Thames Valley is also home to large urban areas such as
Reading , one of the most important towns of the area.
Oxford ,
Swindon ,
Newbury ,
Bracknell ,
Henley-on-Thames ,
High Wycombe ,
Maidenhead ,
Windsor and
Slough are other important urban centres there. These towns help to make the Thames Valley one of the wealthiest areas in the European Union. The Thames Valley National Trail has much of its 160 mile length within the region. The variety of urban and rural scenery that greets those who take to the trail is typical of the diversity found in the region. The M4 motorway, which connects
South Wales to London, passes through the Thames Valley.
More British Natural features?
Other Berkshire Naturals
The River Thames
River Kennet
North Wessex Downs
Lardon chase
The Ridgeway
Goring Gap
Berkshire Downs
Greenham Common
Walbury Hill
River Pang