walk – Page 3 – My London+

A local nature reserve and Wild Singing

I have known about Tolworth Court Farm for a while, but had never been there. A friend recently suggested we visit a mural at Tolworth station and we set off on Tuesday. What a gorgeous place. Lots of meadow, wild flowers, trees and a glimpse of the Hogsmill River that runs through part of it. Y9u can gain entrance to the Hogsmill River walk from here too.

Just in case you don’t know which station you are at!

Bug house, around the meadow and the Hogsmill River

After a lovely walk through the nature reserve we had lunch in the Garden Centre opposite. We spent time walking around the shop as well as admiring plants for sale. A really nice walk that was only a short bus ride away.

Wild Singing in the Surrey downs

I have not sung properly with a choir since March last year. I’m not a Zoom person, so I have felt quite alienated from my choir. I have taken part in three virtual choirs (videos on YouTube) in that time, and then I heard about this. The day was organised by two former musical directors of the choir I belong to. A day of walking and singing outdoors. I could not resist.

I went along with a friend from choir. Around 24 of us set off into the wilds of the Surrey hills – Farthing Downs, New Hill and the aptly named Happy Valley. The walk just over three miles with a couple of hilly places – one was particularly strenuous. Every so often we stopped to sing. Our first stop by a sign post, is where we limbered up and did some physical and vocal exercises before singing our first song. Most of the songs were written by the guys and were new. They were mainly short repeating lines. The guys are brilliant at teaching, and due to where my friend and I stood we took the alto part (both of us are sopranos). There are always more sopranos than altos anyway, and this made a nice change.

We had breaks for refreshment (and the all important toilet stop). One session we sang in the middle of the woods. We entered the clearing in silence and then were taught a short four line song. When we stopped singing all we could hear were the birds singing!

It was lovely to sing about trees whilst surrounded by trees, and throw our arms to the sky during ‘Let the sun shine.’ The fields were a mass of wild flowers. One lady spotted a pyramid orchid (fairly rare) and then there was the giant snail!

What a lovely way to spend four hours. It was special to once again sing with others. A group of passersby even applauded us! Hopefully, we shall all be able to sing inside again soon. However, this was a wonderful combination of two of my favourite things to do – walking and singing.

Thames Path – two walks

Tower Bridge closing – taken from the north bank

Last week I took two walks along two different parts of the Thames Path. The first was with a friend, along the north bank from London Bridge to Wapping, the second was from Datchet to Windsor in Berkshire.

The first walk took us over Tower Bridge, but we had to wait because the bridge was open to let a boat through. All the years I have been coming to London, this was the first time I had seen the bridge open and close. As it happened, we saw this happen twice, once going, and once coming back! Amazing.

Tower bridge – open. Taken on the South bank

Once over the bridge we walked to St Katherine’s Dock where we stopped for lunch., sitting on a bench overlooking the water. Afterwards we ambled around the dock admiring all the boats and the apartments. Some of these are old warehouses that have been converted.

Soon we found our way to Wapping. Here there are several good pubs. I have visited the Prospect of Whitby in the past, a pub that has a noose hanging outside its back window overlooking the Thames. Here criminals were executed. The pub is also well worth visiting as it has lots of original features. However, today that pub was further than we wanted to walk. But there was one place I wanted to see, and that was Wapping Old Stairs which run alongside the pub called Town of Ramsgate. The pub dates from the 1400’s and the steps was where the fishermen of Ramsgate (in Kent) brought their catches and landed them at Wapping Old Stairs.

The Thames. On the shore having come down Wapping Old Stairs. Oliver’s Wharf

Today we walked down the alleyway and down the stairs. They take you right onto the Thames. Using the handrail is a good idea as the tide comes up over the steps and they can be rather slimy. But it was exciting to stand where fishermen once had hauled their load in here. Crazy that I didn’t take a photo of the stairs themselves, I was that excited! I’m sure I will be going back.

Rather in need of refreshment we thought about visiting the pub, but we walked on a little further until we came to the Captain Kidd pub. This looked like it was closed from the outside. There is nothing much to see, but we walked through open doorway into an alleyway that led to the pub. Here we stopped to have tea (very English!) and sat in the courtyard garden overlooking the Thames. The pub stands on the execution sight of the pirate Captain Kidd, though before becoming a pub in the 1980’s, this building was a workshop and a coffee warehouse.

After refreshing cups of tea, we headed back up river and this time crossed at London Bridge. If you like a pub crawl, then Wapping is a good place to do it! The history of those places wraps around you.

A nice sculpture for Berkeley Homes, North Bank

Datchet to Windsor

On Friday I took the opportunity of reasonably good weather to pick up my Thames Path walk upstream. Last time I finished at Datchet. This time I was doing a very short section – a two mile walk along the Thames to Royal Windsor. The day started badly with difficulty getting train tickets as my local train station ticket office was closed. I won’t bore you with all the details, but I ended up running the length of Clapham Junction station to buy a ticket there (having been directed the wrong way to the machines that could not provide the discounts I am entitled to). I caught my train with three minutes to spare. In a little over half an hour I was in Datchet.

A nice green path off the road down to the Thames

The first part of the walk was on the road, which was extra busy (and I was soon to find out why). The path was then easy going between trees and foliage on both sides. I became aware that on the other side of the river there was some sort of horsey event taking place. I Googled it and found it was The Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Looks like I have coincided with a horse show!

Coming up the steps and onto Victoria Bridge I admired the horses. However, walking a little way on, I realised that there were barriers up and I had no access to the Thames Path on that side. I stopped someone on the road to ask about it and he said I’d have to use the road. I was beginning to think it wasn’t my day!

So I carried on along the busy main road into Windsor itself. My intention was to spend the day looking around Windsor, as I’d not been here in many years. It took a while for me to remember it.

I have to admit that everything that had happened that morning had left me rather stressed. I saw there was a church open, so I decided to go and pay a visit. Whatever your take on religion, you cannot deny the absolute calm of standing in a church away from the noise of traffic and people.

The Last Supper, Light of the World, Royal Pew

St John the Baptist church was rather dark (comes out lighter in the photos), but it was lovely and had two great paintings – The Last Supper and Holman Hunt’s The Light of the World. Outside, I sat on a bench in the church garden overlooking the street and ate my packed lunch.

Finally, I made my way down to the river, stopping off in Alexandra Gardens for a cup of tea. The promenade was lovely and teeming with ducks and swans. The sun came out as I walked. This part of Windsor held surprises like the Hawker Hurricane and Baths Island. I actually laid down at Baths Island. It was relaxing with just the putt, putt of boats up and down the Thames.

Slowly, I made my way back into Windsor and decided to head over the bridge and into Eton to see the famous college. Eton has a lovely high street with cafes and independent shops. I went into an antique book shop and almost bought a book, before heading to the college. Wow! What a place. It really is something else.

On my way back I stopped off at a lovely veggie/vegan cafe for tea and cake and sat at a table outside watching the world go by.

Back over the bridge, I walked through another park with a maze and a very gentle game of bowls was taking place. I was thinking about catching the train back home when I decided to walk further along the Thames Path in the direction of Datchet to see how far I could get. As it turned out I almost completed the walk because from this side the path ran alongside the far side of Home Park. However, eventually I came to the trailers and horse boxes and knew I might have to turn around. I came across a nice man with a gorgeous horse and asked him about getting through. He advised me that I could not walk much further before coming to barriers. He suggested I walk through the field of trailers and horse boxes, following the metal road, and out through the security gate. I asked if I would be allowed to do that. He said, ‘Yes, but if not, I’ll see you ten minutes!’ So, I that’s what I did. There was something beautiful about the sounds of neighing and snorted horses (I’ve always loved horses), but I just kept walking and I even had a little banter with the security guard!

Back onto Victoria Bridge and on my way to Datchet

Back onto the road, Victoria Bridge was just around the corner and I was back on the Thames Path and was on my way to Datchet. This was not how I’d planned it, but in the end I had walked all but a small section of the river on the original path. I had walked close to ten miles in all!

Walk: River Crane

First sight of the River Crane at the end of Moormead and Bandy Recreation Park

I chose my day well. We’d been having a mini heatwave, so I avoided the highest temperatures and chose a day when it was around 25c for this walk. In the book London’s Waterside Walks by David Hampshire, it states the walk is five and half miles, but add that to walks to/from stations (and a bit of off track investigation), I walked about seven miles.

Between the bridge and Mereway Nature Park

The walk begins at St Margaret’s railway station (easily reached from London Waterloo), and actually takes in two rivers. The River Crane is a tributary of the River Thames, meeting that river at Isleworth, and the Duke of Northumberland’s River which is a tributary of the River Crane. The Crane (lots of info and photos here on Paul Talling’s website) begins in Hayes, so I was only walking part of it.

It’s find a friend day! A nice place to sit in Mereway Nature Park

The route is fairly easy to follow, crossing through a recreation ground for the first glimpse of it, but I almost came unstuck where there is a bridge over the river. I had to double back, cross another field until I entered Mereway Nature Park. This is beautiful. There are boards dotted around giving information on what you might see here, and little pathways that led further into the trees. It would be nice to spend more time here, though I did veer off a couple of times to explore a little. I particularly loved the decorated seats and wooden markers, both here and along the River Crane later.

Following the Duke of Northumberland’s River, you eventually come to Kneller Gardens. Here there is a cafe and the all important toilets! The park has play areas, tennis courts, gym equipment and lots of picnic tables. The river runs through here and there were ducks and moorhens.

Ducks on the Duke of Northumberland’s River

Following the path out of the gardens, you cross a main road, and then you are into Crane Park. I was impressed with how large the park is. At first the space is quite open, with the river running alongside it. The further you go, the more the trees encroach and the path narrows.

The river passes under two busy main roads

Much bigger than I thought, was Crane Park

Following the sign post I headed towards the Shot Tower. The Shot Tower is the remains of Hounslow Gunpowder factory built in the 1760’s. It was renowned in Europe for producing the finest black gunpowder. The place eventually closed in 1926. I believe there are open days.

A Sika Deer, I believe. I spotted this as I crossed a bridge and back on to the other bank for the final leg of the walk. Such a surprise.

From that spot it wasn’t too far from the finish, anyway. Eventually, you come out to a very busy road (Great Chertsey Road – A316) and turn left and cross the road and head into Percy Road passing Twickenham Cemetery. From there it is a rather boring walk to Whitton Station. The only light relief was finding the knitted hat on one of the post boxes! At Whitton I’d not long missed a train, so I went and bought myself a sandwich, eating it on a bench in the high street. When I reached the station, I found my train had been cancelled, due to lack of train drivers! I had to wait about forty minutes for the next one. Rather frustrating but, that’s life!

Stormy weather in London

Today in England more Covid restrictions were lifted. Now we can eat/drink inside cafe’s and restaurants. Museums and art galleries are once more open, or will be opening in the next few days. A friend and I had arranged to walk somewhere in London today, but the weather this month has been pretty rainy. So we decided that somewhere around London Bridge would give us more places to dive into when the showers came. This worked well.

First off, we walked to Southwark Cathedral for a quick amble round before heading to their cafe for lunch and a good chat. We sat outside because we hit a sunny interval. It was so warm we took off our jackets. However, we had to dive inside with our cups of tea when a cloud burst arrived.

There goes the diet! (Note takeaway bag. I took half home)

We then took a chance and walked towards Hays Galleria, yet we had to dive under cover in London Bridge station for a few minutes before we made it. I spotted a book shop (Riverside Bookshop). I’d not come across this one before so it warranted a look. Of course I found a book to buy, as you do (well, at least me!). We walked through the Galleria and out to the Thames and walked to Tower Bridge and onwards to the edges of Bermondsey to where the River Neckinger meets the Thames. Behind us the clouds were gathering for a storm, so we headed back and took shelter at One Tower Bridge. Thank goodness we made it, as it really was a cloud burst, with thunder and lightning. The photo above was taken shortly after the storm.

Neckinger River (the River Thames is behind me)

It was getting late so we headed back to London Bridge where we went our separate ways. This is just a short part of the Thames Path (south side). There are lots of things to see. I particularly like Shad Thames where the warehouses used to be. Here, in the past, men would come to the gates each morning to see if they could get work for half a day. The area was regenerated some years ago and the warehouses converted into apartments and shops. I’d love to look inside one of the apartments, but unless you have a few million, you won’t get to buy one!

It was a lovely walk today, despite the weather. It good to be back in London again. I’m sure I will be back again very soon.

Thames Path – Staines to Datchet

Friday was the ideal day for walking this section of the Thames Path. The weather was warm and the sun was out most of the time. Technically, none of this walk is in London, but it does begin very close to the outer reaches of London! And what would a blog about London be without those days away to places that can be reached from London? It takes under an hour to reach the start of this walk by train from central London.

Staines (the ‘upon-Thames’ was added a few years back) was the stopping point from the last Thames Path walk taken a couple of years ago. I am not one for walking great sections in one go, like Ramblers groups or those keen Thames Path walkers who think nothing of pounding out twelve to fourteen miles in one day. No, I am the ambler not the rambler! I like to take my time, stop in places if I want, take lots of photos, and take in the scenery. I tend to break the walks down into two or three separate walks. My legs would not manage twelve miles these days anyway!

This section of the walk is around six and quarter miles. However, by not reading the map properly and crossing the Thames at Staines bridge like I should, I managed to add a quarter to half mile extra by staying on the same side until the path ran out. I ended up walking along a main road. I then found a footpath declaring it led to Runnymede Bridge. The path led to the river, but it was dead end. Having met someone on retracing my steps I was able to take a less worn path up to the bridge and cross it (alongside the busy M25) and scoot over the barrier and down a steep path to re-join the Thames Path where I should have been walking. I doubled back to see what I had missed on this side (worth the effort), before turning around and continuing to my destination.

Taken in Lammas Recreational Ground from my off-route walking! See that bridge over there? That’s where I should have been walking!

Had I stuck to my route I’d not have come across this.

Staines has been a crossing point since Roman times and was mentioned in the Doomsday Book as property being held by Westminster Abbey. If you would like to read more of about the history of Staines, see here.

Underneath Runnymede Bridge looking towards where I should be!

Runnymede is the home of many things. Perhaps the most famous being where the Magna Carta was signed on 12th June 1215. This was the royal charter of rights agreed to and signed by King John (though his heart wasn’t in it!) There is a monument nearby commemorating the signing. Last year my husband and I visited the RAF Memorial at Runnymede, and though we saw the memorial to John F Kennedy and other memorials, we missed the one to the Magna Carta! However, on my walk on Friday I saw it across the fields. If you read my blog from last year you will see there are statues in Lalham (nearest station to the site) connected with the Magna Carta that I took photos of.

Now on the right path I found other fascinating things

I continued my walk. The next main point of interest is Bell Weir Lock. The wall of the pub has been artistically painted with references to the Magna Carta

From here it is a walk to Runnymede (as mentioned above) first passing a boatyard and some pretty houseboats where tables and chairs are set out.

The day I was walking there was some sort of run going on. Further up I came across their refreshment stop. Runners were refueling before setting off again. Along this stretch, the river is on my right and the busy road to my left. Across the road is where the monument to the Magna Carta is (see photo below).

The walk continues into a quieter phase. The countryside wraps around you, the noise of the traffic departs, and all you hear are the sounds of birds and the odd boat puttering by. On the path you mostly meet dog walkers and the odd backpackers.

Walking into Old Windsor one might think that you are near the royal town with the castle. You are some miles away from all that!

Not a castle in sight, just glassy water

Perhaps my favourite photo of the walk – Old Windsor

Not too far after Old Winsor Lock I came to Albert Bridge which I had to cross for the last leg of this walk. This was by far the most beautiful part of the walk. Again the countryside hummed around me. Lots of trees and wild plants. Many Orange-tip butterflies flitted around me as well as buzzing bees. The scenery was wild and it made me feel wonderful just to be here.

After a while, the path veered right and ran alongside farmland towards the road, though the path was fenced. I was nearly at my journey’s end and soon came across the sign for Datchet.

By now I was desperate for a cup of tea and wondered what Datchet would offer. Firstly, I had to find the Thames again, just to mark my stopping point.

And here we are – the stretch of Thames at Datchet

Datchet is a pretty village with a green and a very old tree. It was planted to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. That is where I sat (under the tree) to drink my cup of tea. I did not expect to find a Costa in Datchet, but I was so grateful as there was nothing else open. The train station was close by and it was time now to head home. It had been a wonderful walk.

It’s all about the nature

It has been a while since I wandered over to The Wetlands at The Hamptons, so one morning last week I took a stroll over and was lucky to find a Heron as well as a Canada Goose and two Egyptian Geese. The swans seem to have flown, but maybe they will come back later in the year.

The rats must have been around but were being allusive, except I did see one swimming in the pond. My son tells me that rats are good swimmers. His pet ones don’t particularly enjoy water, but wild ones have no problem with it.

How regal do I look in my coat of crowns?

The field belonging to the Lower Morden Equestrian Centre had occupants and they all seemed to have brand new coats. Work is still going on at the Centre but they are still functioning. The field (I call the horse field) is one my favourite parts of the walk.

I took a walk through the cemetery on my way back home where trees were in blossom. Along the path that runs alongside the cemetery, flowers and trees were bursting into life, but with the lack of rain, the little stream that runs long there was dry.

I’ve also been taking photos of birds and squirrels in my back garden. I find them amusing, and there is one pigeon who seems very bold and comes up quite close to me now. They have learned that this is the garden where food is put out. The Magpie and the Starlings love the pond. It needs a good clean out, but it doesn’t seem to stop them from bathing in it. Often there are four Starlings in it together. We have various containers of water in the garden, so there is no shortage of bathing pools.

The Starlings love the suet we put in the feeder and get very narky when we put seed in! They give a disgruntled squark and fly off.

I have spent a long time trying to get the garden going this year. Lockdown finally tried to make a gardener of me last year! I am nowhere near being the gardener my mum and grandparents were, but I like to think they would be amusingly proud of me. The bulbs I put in early April have surprised me are seem to be coming up. I have Lily of the Valley poking up their stems and I can’t wait to see them in flower again. I will probably lose some of the plants I have grown from seed, but I hope there will be enough for a fair show. My tomatoes are still small, but if they all make it, I shall have some to give away. My peas are doing grand. If you grow no other vegetable, grow peas. They are so easy and come up every time. By now it should be okay to plant seed directly into the ground. I grew mine in pots as I wanted to start some off early, and I planted them out in March.

I am keeping an eye on the weather for a good day to walk. At the moment it looks like Friday. Here in the UK we have a Bank Holiday today. Over this weekend I have been painting the kitchen and today it is time to put the shelving back. How many cookery books does one need? Now is the time to have a look through and make a few decisions.

Kingston to Hampton Court

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.

Hayes and Wickham Commons, Kent

Kent has so much to offer and I barely know it really. Last week was a chance to explore a little bit more. There are so many walking routes around the Hayes/Wickham area. A friend took me on a walk through woods there once before. This time we went a slightly different way. Lots of flowers coming out now and the paths were mud free, as we have had so little rain of late.

The commons are south east of Croydon, a very busy town. It always amazes me that there is so much green space in and around London. There are thirty-two London Boroughs in all. I think I have said before that London spreads out into various counties. When I tell people I live in London, they mostly think I live in central London – Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and all that. I actually live about eleven miles south of central London. The largest London Borough is Bromley, not far from where I was the day of this walk! While Bromley is in Kent, it is also in London! Confused? That’s England for you! Don’t worry about it. Just remember that there is far more to London than No, 10 and Oxford Street!

Richmond Park

Last week I went on a walk to Richmond Park. My walking companion knew a quick way through a couple of private roads, a route I have never taken before. It was indeed quicker. We entered by a gate I have never used before and soon we were crossing the park to the Isabella Plantation. These gardens were a favourite place for my family when I lived at home. My dad would drive us to Richmond Park regularly, and these gardens were always on the agenda.

The gardens have evolved over the years and now includes a new toilet block and signs. The day we went there was rather overcast and cold, but trees were coming into blossom.

Richmond Park is one of the Royal Parks and the largest. It dates back to 1272 when it was called Manor of Sheen. From its highest point you have an unrestricted view of St Paul’s Cathedral, twelve miles away. You can read a short history of the park here.

We stayed only a short while as we still had the walk back home, but now lockdown restrictions are easing it would be nice to revisit soon.

Came across this at the end of of one of the private roads! That was a new one on me.

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and Westminster

The original Pleasure Gardens were laid out in the 1600’s. though it wasn’t until 1729 when a man named Jonathan Tyers saw the potential of the gardens for entertainment that they came into their own.

It cost a shilling to enter, quite a sum back then. The idea was to keep the riff-raff out! Despite this, princes entertained prostitutes and drukenness was common. The gardens were a backdrop to several novels, including Vanity Fair by William Thackery. Inside you could get a meal, be entertained by an orchestra, enjoy a firework display, through a lantern lit tree lined secluded garden and hear works by George Frideric Handel (he was a sort of composer-in-residence). However, the gardens became known as a place where the seamier side of the wealthy was on display!

The Tea House Theatre is a cafe that also runs poetry evenings, music, and debating. NIce to see that entertainment still exists in the park!

The gardens finally closed in 1859. Do read the excellent article on the Museum of London website. It has a short history, pictures and a layout of the gardens.

I have become quite fascinated by the gardens over the years. These days the gardens are surrounded by housing estates. The gardens have play areas and a city farm, which opens again next week. I was able to get a few photos through the wire fence, though! You can get a glimpse of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens from the window of the train as it journeys into London Waterloo station. The train stops at Vauxhall.

Boo, or is thar Baar! Vauxhall City Farm

I love the sculptures at the main entrance to the gardens – a woman and a man. It’s nice to know that the gardens still exists in some form, but I can’t help wishing I could travel back in time and visit them as they were – scandal and all!

The statues at the main entrance to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

A walk over Vauxhall Bridge and it’s not long before you come to Victoria and Westminster. I was out to see a sculpture just called Wind Sculpture that I’d come across online. Firstly, I came to the beautiful Westminster Cathedral. Some years ago I visited and went up to the top of the tower.

Wind Sculpture, Westminster – Ideally placed in a very windy spot!

There is a lot of work taking place in Westminster. Many of the little parks are occupied with workmen taking a break. Christchurch Gardens looks relatively new, what I would call a ‘pocket park’. The church no longer exists, but the there is board giving the history and the connection with suffragettes, as well as a sculpture to them. At the main entrance there is a sculpture to the composer Henry Purcell. There is an interesting article about Christchurch Gardens here.

It was in Christchurch Gardens where I stopped to have a hot drink (it was quite cold that day) and then I walked on to Parliament Square before heading towards Embankment. A brief walk along the Thames took me to Hungerford Bridge where I crossed the river and walked back to the train station.