Hampton Court to Kew Bridge

Hampton Court to Kew Bridge - 4 February 2013 
Anne, Ellen, Jan, Theresa and Sally


Our walks have been planned to take into account the weather in England during winter and spring. One of our first walks was this walk from Hampton Court to Kew Bridge and as you can see, the weather was superb. Since then, we have not been so lucky.

We walked from Hampton Court station, past Hampton Court, built originally for Cardinal Wolsey, one of Henry VIII's chief advisors, and then given by Wolsey to Henry. Built about 1514 it drew on Italian Renaissance principles alongside more traditional late Gothic and was enlarged by Henry with the addition of the Great Hall, a tennis court and wonderful gardens.

Anne, Ellen, Jan and Theresa with Hampton Court Bridge in the background

This walk took us around Hampton Court Park and along the northern bank of the Thames.
There are lots of small islands here. The word 'ait' a contraction of 'eyot', is a Middle English term meaning 'little island'.

We passed Kingston , crossing the bridge to the south side of the Thames. A bridge has been in existence here since at least the 12th century. Today's bridge was built in 1828.
After a brief stop at Teddington Lock, the point at which the tidal river stops, we continued along the southern bank of the Thames, passing the Ham Lands nature reserve with glimpses it towards Ham House and ahead of us, the  Star and Garter Home on Richmond Hill. originally built for seriously injured servicemen after World War One.
As we walked along the riverbank and into Richmond we could see wonderful 18th century homes overlooking the river. We continued into Richmond and had lunch at the White Swan pub on the waterfront just after Richmond Bridge.
The walk continued along the southern bank of the Thames, past the Old Deer Park, past Kew Gardens (hardly visible behind tall walls and foliage) and on to Kew Bridge where our walk ended.