Please excuse the brevity of our newsletter this week. We are supporting quite a number of walkers at the moment. Congratulations to Rachel and Stuart who completed the route in one go yesterday. We have four other parties also “going the distance”, all at various stages. Incidentally all going downstream. It’s been a pleasure helping them.
All our walkers were relieved when the heatwave broke and we had some rain. Despite this, the Path remains firm and dry underfoot. However, walkers in the London section experienced unusually high tidal flooding in Richmond. The good thing about tidal flooding is that there’s always a way around. Unlike the upper stretches!
The path to Duxford from the bridge at Shifford is closed for the rest of the year.
The photo below was taken by Rachel who is a member of our Thames Path Walkers Facebook group
The Chelsea Flower Show starts on September 21. The marquees are already up and can be seen if walking down the Chelsea Embankment (left bank). We would not ordinarily recommend the left bank through Chelsea as it mostly follows the road. The right bank through Battersea is mostly off road. However, if you do decide to combine a visit to the Flower Show with a Thames Path walk, you will at least see the statue of the late great Vaughan Williams who lived at 13 Cheyne Walk on Chelsea Embankment. Other notable residents of Cheyne Walk include John Barrymore, Keith Richards, George Eliot, Michael Bloomberg, Sir Arthur Sullivan, and David Lloyd George. And they only lived in numbers 1-10. We will save numbers 11- 122 for a later newsletter! Did you know that Vaughan Williams was born in Down Ampney, close to the source of the Thames?
Henley Festival starts this week so accommodation will be difficult to find. The festival features Madness, James Blunt, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sara Cox, Disco Classical with Kathy Sledge and Don’t Stop Me Now. All on the floating stage used at the Regatta.
As reported previously:
Throughout September, Eel Pie Island, accessible by footbridge from the left bank near Twickenham, is hosting illustrated walks every Thursday and Sunday at 11am and 2pm.
On September 18, House Director & historian Ricky Pound will discuss J.M.W. Turner’s villa in Twickenham. This will be a virtual event at 3pm on zoom. See here for tickets
Also on Saturday September 18, there will be a duck race at Walton, organised by the Sea Scouts. Proceeds go to charity
Marble Hill, near Twickenham, are hosting Arts in the Park, a series of free live performances every Sunday afternoon until September 19.
Southwark Cathedral have put on an exhibition about mudlarking. The exhibition is on display until October 30.
For a list of scheduled events and festivals, see our events page.
Hospitality
One of the most quirky establishments we have on our route planner is Temple Lodge in Hammersmith. “A quiet Oasis in the heart of London” is how this establishment is described. The Georgian building was once the home of Sir Frank Brangwyn, a local artist. Although a stone’s throw from the bustle of Hammersmith flyover and the famous Hammersmith Odeon, this is a place of peace and quiet. There are 3 garden studios, all ensuite, and further rooms in the main building although not necessarily ensuite. The Lodge is run by The Christian Community, who have a chapel on the premises. There is also a library. Our guest reviews have been very positive.
That’s all folks. Mind how you go!
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