JOST A MON

[There once used to be a neat little website for the North London Walkers describing some interesting walks in this great city. It no longer exists. Luckily the time machine that is archive.org has snapshots of it from before it went kaput. I’m reposting the (slightly) re-edited versions here, with added pics.]

This Trail is 12 kilometres long, and starts at Richmond Station (District Line on the Underground, or Overground, or National Rail) from where you walk down to the riverbank, having passed the site of Henry VII's Tudor Palace. It was here that Queen Elizabeth I died.

You then follow the riverbank upstream to Ham House, at which point you may choose to cross the River before walking back downstream, passing Marble Hill House and Richmond Lock.

After Richmond Lock you come to Syon House, the London Residence of the Dukes of Northumberland. Above the gateway as you enter the grounds can be seen the Percy Lion.

The route then passes the Kew Bridge Steam Museum before you recross the River and head towards the Royal Botanical Gardens, also here is Kew Palace much favoured by King George III.

The route finishes at the Kew Railway Station.

Richmond Station

Upon exiting the station turn left along the Quadrant.

Q1 - Approximately 50 yards from the station there is a building (No28) which has a plaque halfway up its wall giving its former use and a date. What are they?

Then take the second right turning, Duke Street, which brings you into Richmond Green. Go around the Green, along Portland Terrace and Pembroke Villas, and exit on the diagonally opposite corner, Old Palace Yard. At the end of Old Palace Yard you come to River Thames. Turn left here and follow the Thames path under Richmond Bridge until it departs from the riverside and goes through a short stretch of parkland before turning right and heading back towards the Thames. Follow the path, past Glover's Island, until you reach the foot ferry, turn left here and take the path leading up to

Ham House

Q2 - At Ham House there is notice board to the left of the gate. What is the telephone number at the bottom?

From the gate of Ham House walk straight back to the River bank and turn right, back to the foot ferry. Then either:

a) Take the ferry across the Thames (Small charge made by ferry operator). On the far side turn right and follow the Thames path back to Richmond Bridge, passing Marble Hill House on the way. Cross over Richmond Road and into Willoughby Road.

b) If the Ferry is not operating or you do not wish to make use of it, walk back along the Thames side path to Richmond Bridge. Walk under the bridge, turn right and walk up the steps. At the top cross over the River. On the far side take the first right turn into Willoughby Road.

At the end of Willoughby Road you will find a path called Ducks Walk. Follow this path walking under Twickenham Railway and Road Bridges and then along Ranelagh Drive until you come to Richmond Lock. Continue past the Lock and continue following the path along the Thames until it emerges in Railshead Road. At the end of Railshead Road turn right and follow this Road to the second right turn (North Street) turn right here and then right again into Swan Street. Turn Left into Church Street and follow this Road until you come to the main entrance of

Syon Park

Follow this road all the way through the park, passing Syon House, and leave the Park using the Pedestrian entrance until it emerges at London Road.

Q3 - Approximately 100 yards beyond Syon House you come to Syon Park Art Centre. there is a Blue plaque here. Who does it commemorate and why?

Turn right here and follow the road for approximately 1/4 Kilometre until you reach Augustus Close. Cross over and then turn Right along Augustus Close, follow it along until it meets Justin Close. Turn left next to the Brentford Dock Management office, passing under the block of flats, and then cross over the Grand Union Canal into Dock Road. At the end of Dock Road turn right and continue along High Street until you come to the Watermans Art Centre.

Q4 - At the corner of Ferry Lane there is a red brick building. There is a sign halfway up the front of the building indicating its former use. What was it?

Just past the Arts Centre there is a path leading back to the Thames side, follow this path until it emerges at Kew Bridge Road. Turn Right, passing the Kew Bridge Steam Museum, and continue along until you come to Kew Bridge.

Q5 - At the centre of Kew Bridge there is a commemorative plaque. What two Counties are mentioned on it?

Cross over the River for the final time and on the far side of the bridge take the first right turn, Kew Green, go around the Green, passing the parish Church of St. Anne, and then turn Right along Kew Road. Follow Kew Road until you reach Cumberland Gate and turn left here along Kew Gardens Road. Follow Kew Gardens Road along to Station Approach where you turn left and walk along to finish at

Kew Gardens Station