Kingston to Hampton Court

This is a walk I know well. I’ve walked it with family when the kids were small, and I’ve walked it with friends. Sometimes my eldest son accompanies me now, and sometimes I walk it alone. This time I was alone.

I’ve been having problems with my right foot for some time now, and I have self-diagnosed it as metatarsalgia. A couple of friends know about these things too, and my symptoms fit. I’ve bought some special pads to relieve the pressure on my foot, and a short walk was what I needed to see if it worked. The pad is a little fiddly to position right, but once right, it does help. I enjoy my walking too much to stop!

I’ve written a post about this walk before, I know, but I never tire of this stretch. Light changes like the seasons. It was good to see some green coming back after all the hot weather we’ve had.

To the right of the other path is Home Park, always worth a walk through too. Often you see deer here.

I thought I would visit the gardens at Hampton Court Palace, but since Covid they charge around £20, whereas before Covid it was free to walk around the gardens. I had intended to use the cafe, but I’m not paying £20 just to go in. Their loss. Instead, I found a lovely cafe opposite Hampton Court station, and sat outside with a gorgeous veggie/vegan lunch.

Hampton Court Bridge looking towards Molesey Lock

Lunch! Tortilla with spicy beans and avocardo

The walk was successful and the metatarsal pad worked. I think I’m back in business! There are too many walks out there I want to do to give in.

It has been almost a year since I last walked this stretch of the Thames and the walk appears shorter each time I do it. This time it was stroll with two stops. Having set out late morning, the first stop was early on to each lunch bought locally. Then when nearly at Hampton Court there was another stop to discard the thin jacket I was wearing. The weather was indeed warm, but not hot, perfect for walking.

At Hampton Court it was treat time – an ice cream! Over the Hampton Court bridge next to the train station there is a small park I’d never been into before. This is where I sat and had a great view across the river towards Hampton Court Palace. This side of the river is also where the River Ember feeds into the Thames – something else I did no know!

Hampton Court bridge from the small park

View across to the Palace. Seems there is some roof work going on

One last view across the Thames to Hampton Court Palace

I am planning another Thames walk, a part I have not walked before. With any luck (and of course it is down to the weather) I may attempt that next week.

Before I sign off this week I just wanted to highlight a walk I know well which came up on a guest blog post of The London Wildlife Trust. The writer Jini Reddy, author of the book Wanderland (which I have just bought) has walked what I call ‘the horse field’ near me, and The Hamptons Wetlands, as well as Richmond Park, Wimbledon Common and Cannizaro Park. Do check it out here. There are some great photos too.

Finally, last evening I watched the most spellbinding concert from the Natural History Museum. A mixture of music, poetry and art based on the words of Robert Macfarlane (writer) and Jackie Morris (artist). It was a magical and moving tribute to wildlife. I had tears in my eyes during the song where the tree talks to the woodcutter. I highly recommend this. The recording made last night is on YouTube for a short while only. Catch it while you can.

Tag: Kingston to Hampton Court

Kingston to Hampton Court Thames Path walk

Kingston to Hampton Court