It was originally to be called Streatley Lock, but in the event took its name from the village of Cleeve on the opposite side of the river.

Much of it is open country apart from the small village of Moulsford and the larger town of Wallingford.

There were two ferries along the reach at Little Stoke and at Chalmore Hole near Wallingford because the towpath changed sides.

There are two historic, interesting venues once purely public houses along the river – these have been turned into expensive restaurants.

The Thames Path keeps on the western bank all the way, but to compensate for those situations when the towpath changed sides it goes inland at Moulsford following the main road for quite a distance before returning to the river.