…the houses start to reveal themselves. This is one of the advantages of winter walking. The picture below, Mapledurham House, was taken just last week. Normally the house is hiding behind the trees. Over the course of the winter, and lockdown permitting, we hope to bring you some more winter vistas.
We’ve added a page to our website entitled Suggested Detours. These feature suggested paths away from the Thames Path, together with the impact on those all-important miles. There are only a handful listed at the moment but we intend to add further.
Our updated Route Planner has been live for a few days now. We think it’s a little more intuitive. Why not take a look?
We’ve had a remarkably dry autumn so far (aside from a deluge at the end of October). And, as a result, the Path is in good condition with no known problems. With lockdown we are relying on what we can see locally, together with Environment Agency reports. We’ve been lucky so far and no doubt the situation will change soon. In the meantime make the most of what you can!
The Stanley Spencer Gallery has acquired the artist’s last known self-portrait. Spencer lived in the village of Cookham where the gallery (see below) is conveniently located on the Thames Path.
At Teddington footbridge, downstream walkers have a choice of route: right or left bank. The right bank seems to be more popular, being less urban as it works its way through forest glades on the edge of Ham Lands Nature Reserve. But the left bank has its own unique attractions. And, after 150 miles, walkers may want a change of scene. The left bank certainly offers that!
Even if you decide to continue down the right bank, it’s worth walking onto the footbridge for the view. Teddington lock, a few yeards downstream of the bridge, marks the start of the tidal Thames and is the last lock managed by the Environment Agency – the remaining locks being run by the Port of London Authority. The lock itself may be familiar to Monty Python fans: it was the scene of the Fish-slapping Dance!
After crossing the footbridge, the walk downstream from Teddington does not have the best of starts as it follows the A310 for almost a mile. The road, however, is a pleasant tree-lined avenue where you can admire the graceful houses that stand between you and the river. After a mile the path turns into Radnor Gardens where you rejoin the Thames for a short while and can admire some glorious willow trees. Across the gardens is the Alexander Pope Hotel, so named because the celebrated poet and philosopher lived at nearby Pope’s Villa. The villa was pulled down in the mid-19th century and was replaced by a large Tudor-style house, now Radnor House school, which once again blocks your riverside walk forcing you back onto the A310.
This doesn’t last long (just 0.3 miles) and a right turn down Wharf Lane leads you, as its name suggests, back to the river. Now you are on Embankment, the far end of which lies the Barmy Arms, a popular pub for rugby followers. Directly opposite is Eel Pie Island whose hotel once housed jazz sessions with Acker Bilk, George Melly, the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd. The hotel was mysteriously destroyed in a fire in 1971. Now the island is home to about 120 residents whose only land access is via a footbridge.
At the end of the Embankment the Path once again is diverted from the river, but this time along a delightful lane named Riverside which disects York House Gardens, a lovely stone bridge connecting the two sides. A number of unusual houses can be found including Dial House, the home of the tea merchant, Thomas Twining. If you look carefully you may see some exotic fruits growing in the residents’ gardens: bananas, figs and an enormous palm tree. At the end of Riverside is Orleans House, once occupied by the French Duke. Most of the building was demolished in the 1920’s although the octagonal room was preserved. It is now an art gallery.
At Orleans House the Path turns right through Orleans Gardens to rejoin the river for the final 1.2 miles to Richmond. The Path here is similar to the right bank: a dirt path along the tree-lined river bank. Just past Hammerton’s Ferry where, for a small fee, you can cross to Ham House on the right bank, is Marble Hill House. This is an English Heritage property, currently under renovation, but the grounds are accessible from the Path. Marble Hill was the home of Henrietta Howard, the mistress of George II. It seems that discretion was not an issue! Shortly before reaching Richmond Bridge, you pass through Cambridge Gardens where a memorial stands. It’s devoted to the lives of the 6,000 Belgians who resided in East Twickenham and worked in a munitions factory during World War I. The factory was established by Charles Pelabon, a Belgian exile.
As you approach the bridge, you see Richmond across the water. The Royal Star and Garter stands high on Richmond Hill, a former home for ex-servicemen. Once at the bridge, you can cross to the Tide Tables Cafe, which operates out of the arches under the bridge and has plenty of outdoor seating.
It’s just 2.8 miles from Teddington footbridge to Richmond, which ordinarily should take about an hour. Frankly, you could make the walk last an entire afternoon.
Whilst on the subject of Richmond, can you believe that it’s 9 years ago today since Fenton the dog broke loose in Richmond Park? Here’s a reminder of what happened.
Although the Thames Path does not go through Richmond Park, it is nonetheless a reminder of the importance of keeping dogs under control when walking near wildlife.
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