From Hampton Court Palace – home of Tudor King Henry VIII, rich in intriguing history and surrounded by verdant gardens – this stroll traces the bucolic banks of the River Thames around a colourful curve in the majestic river to Kingston.
The route returns via leafy Bushy Park, a great green breathing space in the midst of a heaving city, with the Diana Fountain at its heart. Birthplace of the Parkrun phenomenon, this former royal hunting ground attracts walkers and wildlife lovers who come to decompress while watching deer wander through ancient oak trees, skylarks hover over breeze-stoked meadows and statuesque herons hunt in fish-filled waterways.
Hampton Court Park and Bushy Park walk
5 miles / 8km | 4 hours | easy | 7m ascent
1. Start
Leave Hampton Court train station and turn right along Hampton Court Way. Cross the Thames, walking over Hampton Court Bridge, drinking in the sight of the Tudor palace directly ahead, and views along the regal river right and left. At the far side of the bridge, before you get embroiled in the tourist throng that surrounds Henry VIII’s old mansion, turn right along the Thames Path, following a fingerpost pointing towards Kingston Bridge.
2. The Barge Walk
Stroll along the riverbank, with the water on your right, stroked by the languid arms of weeping willows, and populated by mute swans, coots, moorhens and ducks. To your left, often obscured by tall walls and ornate gates, lie the decadent gardens of Hampton Court Palace, where kings, queens and courtiers once cavorted among the flowers and fountains.
This 3-mile (5km) section of the Thames Path between Hampton Court Bridge and Kingston is known as the Barge Walk, and it’s worth devoting a couple of house to dawdling its length at a leisurely pace, as rowing skiffs, pleasure boats and stand-up paddleboarders bimble past.
Continue along the broad path, which is initially shared with cyclists, until the track splits, and then bear right and follow the footpath that hugs the riverside. (Pushchair and wheelchair users can stay on the sealed surface for this section.) Willow, sycamore, ash, hawthorn and the odd crab apple tree cling to bank, and beneath their branches anglers try their luck, in between casting an occasional covetous eye across to the opposite bank, where eye-wateringly expensive houses have gardens that extend right to the river.
3. Ditton Island
Carry on, past tree-covered Ditton Island. On your left here, beyond the cycle track, Ditton Gate leads into Home Park, part of the sprawling green expanse that surrounds Hampton Court, and home to a golf course. You can access the park and look for deer here, but our route continues along the riverside path.
Round a bucolic bend in the river and follow a lovely peaceful section of tree-lined trail, which contrasts starkly with the heavily residential and urban areas of Surbiton and Seething Wells on the opposite bank.
After passing Ravens Ait (a river islet) and Surbiton Passage Gate (another entry point to Home Park) on your left, the path becomes sealed and the profile of Kingston-Upon-Thames soon looms on right side of the river. Pass a few houses on your left and a flock of houseboats in Richmond moorings, and stroll beneath horse chestnut trees towards the five lovely arches of Richmond Bridge.
4. Bushy Park
Follow the Barge Walk left, up to the road. Turn left, and when you reach the roundabout go left along Hampton Court Road. Use the zebra crossing to get to other side of the road, and then turn right along Church Grove. Opposite St John’s Church, turn left and go through a heavy metal gate with a London Loop waymarker on the wall next to it. Walk along an alley lined with conker trees to a second metal gate, which takes you into Bushy Park proper.
5. London Loop
Pass a cricket pitch and then bear right (the less acute of the two options), following London Loop pointers across a meadow, an excellent place to spot soaring skylarks. Look out for deer here, too. Just past a posse of oak and sweet chestnut trees you will meet Leg of Mutton Pond. Cross a little bridge and turn left, following a London Loop arrow to walk with a narrow strip of water on your left, busy with fish. Herons often hunt here, and soon you reach the pond named after these elegant birds.
More London walks
- Kew Gardens to Richmond Park walk, London
- Finsbury Park to Stoke Newington walk, London
- Sydenham Hill Wood walk, London
6. Heron Pond
Pass a beautiful footbridge on your left and turn right, walking around Heron Pond with the water on your left. Keep tracing the bank of the fish-shaped pond, following London Loop signage, until you reach a bridge leading left. Cross, and go past the Boating Pool into a car park, where you’ll find the Bushy Park Coffee Kiosk.
7. Mute Swan pub
From the car park, take the Ann Rose Way towards the Diana Fountain. This flowing feature, the centrepiece of the Christopher Wren-designed Chestnut Avenue boulevard, is dedicated to the Roman goddess of hunting and knowledge, and is topped by a golden statue of Arethusa, a water nymph turned into a fountain by Diana. Go around the fountain and follow Chestnut Avenue to the Lion Gate. Exit Bushy Park here, opposite Hampton Court, and cross towards the Kings Arms Hotel. Turn right along Hampton Court Road and follow it around the palace, as it elbows left to the bridge that takes you back to the train station – perhaps via the Mute Swan pub.
Hampton Court Park and Bushy Park map
Hampton Court Park and Bushy Park walking route and map
Useful information
Starting point
This walk starts and ends at Hampton Court overground train station, which is served by regular trains from London Waterloo and Clapham Junction. Hackney Wick and Kingston train stations are also close to the route. There is parking off the A308 in Hampton Court Green Car Park (Hampton Court Road, KT8 9BP).
Terrain
The paths along both the Barge Walk and Bushy Park sections of this walk are either sealed or hardpacked. The terrain is easy to walk on, and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Map
OS Explorer 161: London South
Eat, drink and stay
The Mute Swan (www.brunningandprice.co.uk/muteswan/) is a centuries-old pub opposite Hampton Court and close to the river, offering a range of drinks and good food.
The Bushy Park Coffee Kiosk near the Diana Fountain serves a range of hot drinks, cakes and ice creams.
The Mitre Hotel (mitrehamptoncourt.com), next to the Mute Swan, offers 4-star accommodation in riverside setting.
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