From Streatham to Richmond
Note: Clicking on any of the images will enlarge them
Checking my blog I was surprised to find that our last walk was way back in November – over 7 months ago. The week before the walk was hot, with the UK recording some of the hottest days on record for a June. But luckily for us the weather was much cooler on Sunday the 28th June.
We met at Winnersh station to catch the 8:03 train to Clapham Junction. I buy my ticket online only to find I can’t download it, but have to collect it from the ticket machine.
A mad dash back to the ticket machine while Chris waits on the platform. The train arrives and is not that full. We do have some lad decide to hang upside down from the handrails attached to the ceiling of the train. Arrive at Clapham Junction and transfer to platform 15 and wait for the next train to Streatham.
Does not take long (only 3 stops I think) and we arrive at Streatham by 9:49 ready to start the walk.
Capital Ring – Walk 5
We exit the station and retrace our steps from walk 4 for a short while. Then cross over the train line and on to a new section of the walk. We pass a striking mosque-like building, which the guide tells us is Thames Water’s Streatham Pumping Station, built in 1888.
The route follows the roads for a short while, crosses over another train line and then enters Tooting Bec Common. Nice to be off the roads at last. We pass lorries and other equipment. We are not sure if they are clearing up from an event or just setting up for the next one.
The route now follow the road. There is a funny extra bit in the route [see below]. I think we could have just followed Bedford Hill and saved ourselves a few steps. But we kept to the route.
More following of roads until we enter Wandsworth Common. We follow the route along side yet another rail line. The route passes through ticket office of Wandsworth Common railway station
It was now time to stop for a coffee and use the facilities. Luckily Wandsworth Common has a lovely little cafe, Skylark Cafe. So we stopped and had a coffee.
On leaving the common we come to Wandsworth Prison. The walk skirts around the prison with its rather imposing wall. I wish I had taken a photograph, or two, to help remember it.
The route now continues alongside Wandsworth Cemetery.
Wandsworth Cemetery
After passing the cemetery we emerge into Earlsfield. After crossing the high street we turn off and walk over the river Wandle. Not often you see a dual carriage way river.
After a few more roads we come to the end of the first walk at Wimbledon Park Station.
Walking Stats
Time: 1 hours 50 Minutes
Distance: 5.57 Miles
Capital Ring – Walk 6
The next walk is one of the longer stretches. A quick chat and we decide to continue and do Walk 6. So continue up the hill and enter Wimbledon Park. There are people playing tennis and families having fun.
Fun and Games in Wimbledon Park
We soon come across a host of tents. We work out it is people camping to get tickets for Wimbledon that starts tomorrow, Monday.
We exit Wimbledon, leaving the gathering hordes of fans behind, and follow the route along some roads before entering Wimbledon Common. This part of the route passes through some woodland, which gave a slight respite from the sun.
We find a bench in the woods and sit and have our lunch. We keep our eyes peeled hoping to spot the odd womble or two. But we think that they are either nocturnal (not venturing out in the middle of the afternoon), very shy or scared of Chris.
Lunch done and we continue to walk through the common. This is a very pleasant part of the walk, with a number of sites along the way.
The route crosses the London Scottish Golf Course. Luckily there was nobody around as we crossed one of the fairways.
We have to cross a busy road / junction. Luckily there is a pedestrian crossing, in fact a pedestrian and horse crossing with separate button for humans and horses – no idea how the horse get their hooves up to reach a button 7 feet high!! (Again another missed photo opportunity)
After crossing the road we enter Richmond Park. As it is a nice Sunday afternoon the park is full of people enjoying themselves. We need to keep an eye out for cyclists that are hurtling around the park.
The guide says the route is hilly and this bit definitely is. But it is a nice gentle climb up a hill. We soon spot deer who seem to be happy to just stand and have their photographs taken.
The path crosses a bridge over a lake, or in between to lakes as the two lakes have different water levels.
More uphill. It is at this point we missed our turn and continued up the hill. But had a great view back down (you can see the path we should have taken in the photograph below, just to the right of the person in the red top). But it was worth the extra steps for the view looking back on Pen Pond (Upper and Lower).
Back on track we follow the route. It continues along a ridge. We are now quite high up and have great views over London. I think if it was autumn, and the trees did not have leaves, we would have seen an awful lot more.
The route descends steeply to exit the park. We cross a road then walk through some fields to join the Thames Path.
We continue along a rather busy Thames Path to walk into Richmond. Under Richmond Bridge and stop for a selfie.
Walk done it was time to rehydrate with a beer or four. Chris generously treated me to a Greggs vegan sausage roll and we headed to Richmond station to catch the train home.
Walking Stats
Time: 2 hours 36 Minutes
Distance: 6.96 Miles
Final Thoughts
We were in two minds about walking this longer route (combining routes 5 and 6) due to its length and the reported hills. But I am glad we did. It was a great day out with some very interesting walking, fun along the way and spending time with a good mate – who could ask for more.
In total we have walked 42.4 miles over 14 hours and 39 minutes. These two walks totalled 12.53 miles, this has been our longest walk so far.
So that makes 8 legs down and only 7 left to do.