Spend the day in London without feeling in London with this Thames Path Walk from Hampton Court Palace to Kew. Walk alongside the River Thames, from the quiet towpath to the busy suburbs riverside, passing by landmarks such as bridges and gardens. With a pub stop at the end, you’ve got your perfect day out in West London sorted!
Another day, another Thames Path Walk! After doing the East Side with the Belvedere to Greenwich walk, and the Westside with the Twickenham to Windsor hike (45 km is a hike, not a walk anymore), this time let’s stay within the London area. This Thames Path Walk takes you from the magnificent Hampton Court Palace all the way to Kew, home of the Royal Botanic Gardens.
You’ll find the links to the other Thames Path walks at the end of this post along with the file for the GPS map.
Logistics for the Thames Path Walk Hampton Court to Kew
- Distance: 11 miles (17.7 km)
- Ascent: 43 feet (13 m)
- Walking Estimate: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- How to get there: Direct trains from Waterloo Station. The journey takes 35 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the local buses R68 and 411 to Hampton Court Station depending on where you live
- What to bring with you: It is an easy walk in the city never far from civilisation and amenities should you need more water or buy additional snacks. Wear comfortable footwear and clothing. However, prefer a pair of trainers to the usual hiking shoes as the path is paved. Moreover, avoid wearing a pair of jeans as they absorb sweat but don’t dry easily. Prefer a good pair of gym leggings or shorts depending on the weather. Bring with you a backpack with water (2L minimum recommended), snacks, packed lunch, identification and money
- Additional Information: Public toilets are available at Hampton Court Station and in Richmond at Buccleuch Gardens.
- Pub Stop: Coach & Horses
Highlights of the Thames Path Walk Hampton Court to Kew
- Hampton Court
- Kingston-Upon-Thames
- Canbury Gardens
- Teddington Lock
- Richmond
- Richmond Railway Bridge
- Old Deer Park Obelisk
- Syon Park and Syon House
- Kew Gardens
The Thames Path Walk Hampton Court to Chiswick
Hampton Court
Our walk starts at the outstanding Hampton Court Palace. The construction of the palace began in 1514 at the request of Cardinal Wolseley. However, as he fell out of favour with King Henry VIII in 1529, he gave the monarch the Palace in an attempt to regain credibility in his eyes. Soon, the Palace become Henry VIII’s favourite residence and is one of his last two surviving residences along with St James’ Palace.
The Palace went through massive extension under the reign of King William III who wanted to overshadow the Palace of Versailles, France. However, the work was never finished, leaving the Palace divided into two different styles: Tudor and Baroque.
Today, the Palace is owned by the Crown and is open to the public to visit. It is compromised of the residence and the Gardens with an acclaimed maze. Every year, Hampton Court Palace host a musical event and a flower show.
Hampton Court to Kingston
As you come out of Hampton Court Station, take right and cross the bridge to get to the Palace. Just before the Palace’s main entrance, you find a footpath alongside the River Thames: this is the Thames Path.
The Thames Path is a 184 miles (296 km) long trail following the River Thames from its source in the Costwold to Woolwich in London. The idea of this towpath originated from David Sharpe in 1973 but it is only on 24th July 1996 that the Thames Path was inaugurated.
A quick picture of Hampton Court Palace and reverse back to the Thames Path. The path takes you to the back of the Palace where you can see the garden through the fences. Continue on this trail called Barge Walk until you reach Kingston Upon Thames.
Kingston to Teddington
Kingston Upon Thames, commonly called Kingston, is a market town and the home of the prestigious Kingston University. Historically, the town was associated with the King’s coronation. At least two Kings from the tenth century were crowed in Kingston, in what used to be the chapel of St Mary, which collapsed in 1730.
To get to Kingston, leave Barge Walk and cross over the Kingston Bridge. You find plenty of restaurants with terraces facing the river on the other side. Then, take left under the bridge and follow the path passing by the Turks Pier and under the rail tracks.
Continue on the path and you finally arrive at the Canbury Gardens. Originally meadows, the area became a place for gravel extraction but by 1887, the place had become an eyesore and was replaced by a public garden.
Continue straight and you’ll soon be arriving at Teddington Lock.
Teddington to Richmond
Teddington is a suburb in South West London. Tucked between Hampton Court Palace and Bushy Park, Teddington benefited from its proximity to Royal landmarks. With the opening of the railway in 1863, the population in Teddington boomed. Nowadays, Teddington is a residential suburb, ideally located for commuters.
The Teddington Lock that we are passing by on this walk was built in 1881. Following the Lock, you are walking alongside the marshes of Ham Land. Just before reaching Ham Lake, take one of the footpaths leading inside the marshes and if you are lucky you might encounter horses grazing.
Continue walking and you soon arrive in Petersham, a village in South West London. Unfortunately hidden by the vegetation, you would not be able to see the village landmarks such as King George’s Field and the National Trust Ham House and Garden.
Continue on the path and you arrive in Richmond.
Richmond to Twickenham
Following the meanders of the River Thames, as you come out of a bend you can see Richmond Hill afar. On top of the hill thrones a massive red brick residence: The Royal Star and Garter Home. Formerly a hotel which closed in 1906, the residence was used as a military hospital during WWI. After the war, the building was destroyed and the current house was built between 1921 and 1924 to accommodate injured servicemen. In 2013, as the building could no longer meet the standards for its purpose, it was sold to a housing developer who turn it into apartments.
Once you passed Richmond Hill you enter the busy Richmond river path with restaurants and pubs. The town of Richmond is part of the London Borough. It takes its name from the Richmond Palace built in the 16th Century for King Henry VII. Formerly farmlands and hunting grounds for the King, the town developed following the building of the Richmond Bridge in 1777 and the opening of a train station in 1846. Now an affluent suburb of London, its riverside attracts many Londoners wanting a bit of fresh air over the weekend.
Walk across Richmond following the Cholmondeley Path and you soon arrive at Richmond Railway bridge. Following the success of the train station opening, the project of extending the network towards Windsor started. It opened in 1848 but following concerns about the structure, it was rebuilt in 1908. Even though it went through many improvements over the years, you can still admire the beautiful structure of this Grade II listed bridge as it was initially designed.
Twickenham to Kew
Continue your walk as the path hugs the Old Deer Park. Formerly called New Richmond Park by Queen Elizabeth I, the park was then renamed in 1637 by King Charles I. In the park, you can find the King’s Observatory built in 1769 for King George III. Around the Observatory, there are 3 obelisks which were used as reference points. The obelisk by the Thames Path that you can see behind the trees if you bend down a bit, indicates the true North.
Follow the path and after a bend, you finally can see Syon Park on the other bank. In the middle of this 56.6 hectares park is Syon House, a residence still inhabited. Built between 1547 and 1552, the house has a rich history, such as being used as a (golden) jail for Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife, before her execution at the Tower of London. It was acquired by the Duke of Northerncumberland in 1594 and still remains in the family today.
Kew
On your side of the Thames Path, you are walking by the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew. Formed in 1772, it only became a national botanic garden in 1840. The 300 acres site is known for its diverse collection of plants and fungi as well as landmarks such as the Pagoda, Kew Palace and several plant houses. But no time to visit it, we need to get to the pub!
Get off the Thames Path at the crossing with Ferry Lane. Continue straight and cross Kew Green, passing by Saint Anne Church. Then, cross Kew Road and the pub is on the opposite side.
With a quirky yet very stylish decoration, the Coach and Horses Hotel & Pub serves copious Sunday roasts and other traditional British dishes. Perfect to end the walk!
Bon Appetit!
The Thames Path Walk Hampton Court to Chiswick Map
Do you want to do the same walk? Then, download the map by clicking on the button below. To learn how to upload the map onto your navigation app, follow my guide here.
Final Thoughts on the Thames Path Walk Hampton Court to Chiswick
Do you want to do more of the Thames Path? Check the other Thames Path walks in and near London
Walking the Thames Path to Windsor
Thames Path for Richmond Park to Kew Garden
Thames Path from Belvedere to Greenwich
Oxford Thames Path Walk – Complete Guide & Map
A Walk Along The Thames In London – 20 Things To See
And you, what is your favourite part of the Thames Path? Let me know in the comments below.
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