Lechlade on Thames is a small, ancient wool town lying at the head of the Thames Valley, right on the edge of the Cotswold's. The river runs along the southern edge of the town and Lechlade represents the turning point for narrow boats and cabin cruisers, as the river rapidly becomes too shallow for boats above this point. The now derelict Thames & Severn canal used to join the river at Lechlade, linking the Thames to the Bristol Channel, and thus making Lechlade one of the busiest inland ports in the country in the 19th century.

The centre of Lechlade on Thames has changed very little since the turn of the century. The same buildings line the High Street as did in 1900, 

 Lechlade has a very compact town centre with all the shops close at hand. There is a very well stocked local supermarket open till 9pm every day, butchers, bakers, greengrocers, post office, chemist, hardware store, flower shop and off licence all within five minutes walk. There is a French and an Indian Restaurant and six public houses in the town, and of course, The Black Cat Tea Rooms for a delicious lunch or a clotted cream tea.

Lechlade also has plenty for the "leisure shopper".  The are nearly 100 antique dealers trading in the town, and an Antique Fair on the first Sunday of every month. Cotswold, The Christmas Shop is a wonderland of special Christmas decorations and gift ideas. The Bridge House Gallery has now closed, but dolls houses goods are available from the Bell Pottery.  The Black Cat is a pottery and wool shop, with a large range of garden pots, ornaments and topiary as well as an extensive range of wools, patterns, cross stitch kits and accessories. What was the Silk Dragon is now the Whistlers Gallery which is a double shop selling prints, artistic sculptures etc and high quality framing