Today’s walk begins at St Sampson’s Church, Cricklade, the massive 16th century tower of which dominates the local skyline. Sampson was a 6th century Celtic saint from Wales, who is counted as one of the seven founder saints of Brittany. Athelstan is reputed to have brought Sampson’s relics from Brittany and presented them to the church, which resulted in the dedication.

From Cricklade, the route follows the Thames Path all of the way to Lechlade, with good stopping points at Castle Eaton and at the church of St John the Baptist in Inglesham. This church was saved from Victorian ‘restoration’ by William Morris, one of the founders of the Arts and Crafts movement, who lived in nearby Kelmscott, and it has retained its medieval identity and fine wall paintings.