Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE
thames
PATH
The Thames Path runs 184 miles from
the sea to the river's source in the Cots-
wolds. Having passed through London,
and skirted Kew Gardens and the huge
Old Deer Park, it instantly takes on a
more rural feel, like something out of a
19th-century canvas once you get to
Richmond. From Richmond you pass
through Petersham Meadows, where you
still expect to see someone cutting hay,
past Marble Hill House and Marble Hill
Park (on the other side, but here you'll
find a foot ferry plying the placid waters
between tree-lined banks) and arrive at
the grandeur that is Ham House—well
worth a visit (see above). Continuing on,
you walk alongside fields and a nature
reserve, with views across to Eel Pie
Island and the town of Twickenham
behind. Soon you come to Teddington
Lock and Weir. It's here that the first
6
Thames lock was built in 1810. Barge
Lock, the river's largest, is here.
This is the point at which the Thames
is no longer tidal. It's a good place for a
break: Cross the Victorian footbridge and
drop in at
The
Anglers
(
&
020/8977-
7475;
www.theanglersteddington.co.uk),
a pub/restaurant with a riverside garden
that can hold 600 people in summer. The
modern British food is good anytime, but
weekend barbecues and hog roasts are
exceptional, washed down with Fuller's
beer, brewed by the river in Chiswick.
From Teddington it's a swift walk to
Kingston, where you cross Kingston
Bridge to continue along the edge of
Hampton Court Park to Hampton Court
Palace itself. For official information, visit
www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ThamesPath
, but
www.thames-path.org.uk
gives an enthu-
siastic section-by-section commentary.
River cruises
CRUISE
Turk Launches,
Town End Pier, 68 High Street,
Kingston (
&
020/8546-2434;
www.turks.co.uk), a family company with a 300-year
history of boat building and operating, runs a Richmond-Kingston-Hampton Court
service from April to October. The stretch of river includes Twickenham, little Eel Pie
Island, and Teddington Lock. The latter, between Richmond and Kingston, dates
back more than a century, and is the point where the tidal Thames ends. It is spanned
by a Victorian footbridge. There are also specials such as a Sunday jazz cruise, dinner
and dance cruises, and disco cruises. The fleet of five boats ranges from a Missis-
sippi-style sternwheeler to the elegant 1892 side-wheeler Yarmouth Belle to little Jeff,
which was one of the Dunkirk ships, rescuing troops during the war.
Parr Boats,
Queen's Promenade, Portsmouth Road, Kingston (
&
020/8546-2434;
www.parr
boats.co.uk), operates during the same season, with Kingston to Hampton Court
trips, and a circular trip from Richmond to Teddington. Fares start from £3.50 for a
Kingston-Hampton Court trip.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Kingston's riverfront options are somewhat limited. The brash, modern
Bishop out
of Residence
pub is an option on a summer's evening, and sells good Young's beer,
and there are several bars and restaurants with outdoor seating overlooking the river
at Charter Quay near the Rose Theatre. In Richmond the
White Cross
(
&
020/8940-6844
), at the end of Water Lane is a classy old pub, where drinkers
perch outside by the slipway. The chain bar/restaurant
Pitcher & Piano
(
&
020/
8940-3062;
www.pitcherandpiano.com), 11 Bridge St., has cast-iron balconies
