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Old Moaner Travel

I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list

River Thames: Windsor to Putney

Section Length: 35.5 miles (57 km)

Time Taken: 11 hrs 14 mins 

Dates Walked: 30th September, 3rd & 4th October 2017 

 

Logistics: This section was covered in three legs.

 

Leg one was Windsor to Chertsey, (11.5 miles) Catching train to Windsor & Eton Riverside (half hourly service). At the end of the walk it was a mile and a quarter walk from the river to Chertsey Station from where there is a half hourly train service to either Weybridge or Clapham / London Waterloo. 

 

Leg two was Chertsey to Kingston (11 miles). Train to Chertsey then a mile and a quarter walk to the river. At Kingston it was about a 10 minute walk to the station, from where there are several trains an hour to Clapham / Waterloo and other suburban locations.

 

The final leg was Kingston to Putney (13 miles). Train to Kingston to start and a train from Putney High Street afterwards, both stations have several trains an hour to Clapham / London and other suburban areas.

 Thames Path Security Warning Windsor Castle

This section of the walk begins on the south bank of the river, near Windsor and Eaton Riverside station, initially following the edge of Home Park until you reach a fence with a warning sign saying:-

“This is a protected site under Section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. Trespass on this site is a criminal fence.”

 

Or, put another way, you are about to enter The Queen’s back garden, don’t even think about it.  

 

So it’s a matter of a slight detour across the field and crossing over the bridge before heading towards Datchet. 

Most of the walk through Datchet is along the B470 with only fleeting glances of the river, once clear of the town, about a miles walking the path crosses a field and again runs alongside the river.

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Shortly you will need to cross the river again, this time at the delightful Albert Bridge, not to be confused with its even more ornate namesake in central London.

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The next section of the walk, as far as Old Windsor Lock, is quite boring as it’s rather overgrown with plenty of stinging nettles ready to attack you. However it’s worth the discomfort as Old Windsor Lock is certainly one of the more attractive locks along the Thames.

After the lock there is a stretch of open country before the path passes behind some somewhat elegant houses in Old Windsor itself.

Once clear of Old Windsor the river enters historic Runnymead, a historic site where King John signed Magna Carta in 1215. Very much open fields with a couple of cafés the path passes by some very busy car parks.

 

After the openness of Runnymead the path passes behind a housing estate before passing under the M25 motorway and entering Staines. Once again the river is crossed at Staines.

 

From Staines there is actually a very pleasant and well made path, making walking much more pleasant and comfortable, albeit with a not particularly scenic view mostly of houses bordering the river. 

 

After a couple of  miles the vista, again, becomes greener with a pleasant walk towards Chertsey, after passing under the M3 motorway.

Thames Path Runnymead

The route remains somewhat rural as you leave Chertsey, quite an achievement bearing in mind we’re now inside the M25.

Thames Path Shepperton Ferry

Eventually you will reach Shepperton lock after which point you have a choice, either quite a lengthy two mile detour inland or catch a ferry to the other bank, it costs £2 for a journey of about a minute but is well worth the expense as you will have a shorter and more scenic route to take. The ferry runs every 15 minutes, on the quarters of the hour.

 

Assuming you take the ferry it’s a mile and a quarter walk to Walton Bridge where there is a café if you fancy a break.

 

If you take the longer route you will re-join the main path at Walton Bridge.

The next few miles is a mixture of urban, suburban and industrial, passing through Sunbury.

Eventually the path reaches the site of the former racecourse at Hurst Park and it’s possible, using your imagination, to picture the racecourse as it once was and the area is open parkland.

After Hurst Park it’s time to cross the river again and walk past one of the most iconic Thameside buildings, Hampton Court Palace, former home of Henry VIII.

 

The path makes a massive left hand loop along this section, the plus side being it’s very green. Well it’s green on the side of the path, the opposite side is very urban passing Thames Ditton, Surbiton and Kingston.

 

At Kingston it’s once again time to cross the river and a necessary diversion through the town before the path re-joins the river at Canbury Park.

 

At Ham there are no pigs to be seen but the path does pass alongside a nature reserve before arriving at Richmond. Another good location for a refreshment break with several cafés in the area.

Thames Path Hampton Court Palace

Contrasts again after Ham with suburban sprawl on the opposite bank but green on the path side, passing the Old Deer Park which then becomes Kew Gardens.

 

Passing under Kew Bridge the path passes through a tree lines avenue, passing Barnes, where the iconic Boat Race finishes. 

 

A sweeping right hand bend swings round to Hammersmith and Hammersmith Bridge. 

Thames Path Hammersmith Bridge

Hammersmith Bridge has the lowest headroom on the tidal Thames and at very high tides only the smallest of boats can pass underneath.

 

The river then passes the former Harrods Depository, where those who ran India used to store their possessions when abroad, now an upmarket housing complex.

 

Much more downmarket is Fulham football clubs craven Cottage ground on the opposite bank of the river.

 

Shortly after Craven Cottage the walk becomes more urban as you enter Putney, where this stage finishes at Putney Bridge. 

 

Previous: Reading to Windsor

 

Next: Putney to Thames Barrier

 

Return to Thames Path Home

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