Thames Path – Richmond to Hampton Court

A walk along the Richmond to Hampton Court section of the Thames Path, on 24 March 2018.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

I started off by calling in at the Museum of Richmond, a small free local museum which has good model of the long-gone Richmond Palace as well as the usual local museum things.

Then it was time to head down to the riverbank.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

The Thames Path follows the side of the river all the way today.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

You would have to try hard to get lost on this section of the Thames Path.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

The Twickenham ferry shuttles back and forth.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

The constant stream of aircraft taking off from Heathrow ensures that you know that you are in the suburbs of London rather than the countryside.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

The 17th century Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale’s Ham House comes into view.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

Eel Pie Island.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

Teddington, and time for a short diversion over the suspension bridge to the pub.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

The pub sign used to show the Dunkirk evacuation, which was perhaps a more interesting choice than the current picture of some boats.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

Meanwhile next door, there is no fishing at The Anglers.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

A stuffed Wallace on a fence.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

To be honest, this section of the Thames Path was a bit disappointing. Tree, river, house, river, tree.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

There were people out rowing and canoeing…

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

… although the biggest rowing event of the day was further downstream.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

Unlike Richmond, Kingston isn’t really a river-focused kind of place.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

The Thames Path crosses the river at Kingston to follow the north bank (only) for the first time. Until now it had been on the south or both banks. As a result, this is probably the only point on today’s route where it would be possible to take a wrong turning.

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A church.

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I had imagined that the section from Kingston to Hampton Court would have views of Hampton Court Palace, but you just see the wall and then fence…

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…until right at the very end.

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The end is in sight.

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With a detour to have a quick look at the palace.

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

Only 147 miles to go to reach the source!

Thames Path - Richmond to Hampton Court

One thought on “Thames Path – Richmond to Hampton Court

  1. Very helpful. So much wanting to see reliable helpful ways that I can copy. I have started trying to master the Thames Path from Thames barrier but have got lost at Deptford. Doing all I can to regain my bearings so I can retrace my steps round Deptford to Rotherhithe to Tower Bridge.

    Richmond Hampton Court is definitely in my sights.
    I am doing this as day conmuntes from home via public transport to sections of the path and big recoveries in between.
    I will be delighted once I master a particualary lengthy section.

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