The Thames Path follows England's best known river for 184 miles (294km) as it meanders from its source in the Cotswolds through several rural counties and on to the City of London. On its way the Trail passes peaceful water meadows rich in wildlife, historic towns and many lovely villages, finishing at the Thames Barrier near Greenwich.
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Across the fields to the east are a pair of cottages bearing a stone inscription recording thanks for an escape from the cattle plague of 1866!
The outbreak of cattle plague, specifically Rinderpest, was first reported in July 1865 after diseased cattle were imported into Hull from the Baltic port of Revel. These animals were dispersed on arrival and the infection spread quickly throughout the country. Most counties suffered terribly but a rigorous policy of slaughter brought the epidemic under control by the end of 1866, albeit with a loss of 209,332 animals.