From Richmond to Greenford
Note: Clicking on any of the images will enlarge them
So up nice and early (6:10am!!) on Sunday the 26th of July, sneak out of the house trying not to wake up the misses. Karen arrives to drive me and Chris over to Twyford. Drop us off at Twyford station at 7:45.
We catch the 8:01 train to Ealing Broadway. Nice uneventful journey and arrive in Ealing Broadway just after 8:30. We walk out the station and find bus stop C. There is a bus waiting and we are first onboard. Head straight up stairs to sit in the front row.
I do like travelling by bus. Slower than the tube but a chance to see so much more of London.
It is a pleasant bus ride to Richmond. We get off at Richmond Bus Station and walk to where we finished up last time, Friars Lane next to the river Thames.
Capital Ring – Walk 7
The route follows the Thames Path. We pass the Old Deer Park. This gives Chris an opportunity for the first of his awful jokes (of which there are many on the walk!).
We soon come to Richmond Lock. The river is higher upstream than down stream. And we both wonder if the barrages in the middle can be lifted when the tide is in and the river is the same height on both sides.
We cross the river via the footbridge on the lock.
The path follows the river. But we seem to be on a spur with very little water and where old boats are moored when they are no longer needed. When you see boats like this it always makes me think about who owns them and do they ever get used.
The path follows the Thames path through Isleworth. We need to leave the river to take a detour through some side roads. The area is very pretty with some small cottages, old church and a nice looking pub on the side of the river.
We leave the river behind and enter Syon Park. This is what the guide says about Syon Park…
Syon Park belongs to the Duke of Northumberland. The famous 18th century Scottish architect, Robert Adam remodelled the interior of the house. The grounds were laid out by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
It is pleasant walking through the park. Lots of people out enjoying themselves and we are passed by quite a few rather sweaty joggers.
We exit Syon Park. Follow a short section on the road before we join the Grand Union Canal at Brentford Lock.
We continue along the path by the canal. Nice and easy walking. Soon we come insight of the old GSK building. Chris explains that he used to work here when he worked for GSK. So the next 30 mins is taken up with Chris reminising about his time working for GSK.
We pass some nice looking “live aboard” boats mored up by the edge of the canal. Then come across one that has seen better days. Again it raises the question who owns these boats.
Walk done and we end up on Osterley Lock. There is a big sign asking uses not to let the swan into the lock. It does make us wonder why? and can’t the swan get in from the sides?
Walking Stats
Time: 1 hours 40 Minutes
Distance: 4.71 Miles
Capital Ring – Walk 8
We continue along the canal towpath for a while. Pass an interesting weir – we both comment that we have not seen one like this before. Some interesting murals.
Brian May?
We stop and chat to a young lad with a dog that seems to be living rough. He asks about a bench in the shade as he is looking for somewhere to have an afternoon nap. He has a most impressive walking stick or staff with a rams scull on top. He explains that it keeps people away when he is sleeping.
The tow path follows on to Hanwell flight, a series of locks. This is what the guide says.
There are six locks altogether in the Hanwell flight, taking the canal up 53 feet in a third of a mile. After 650 yards is the historic stone Hanwell Bridge. There has been a bridge at this point since at least the 14th century, but the present bridge dates from 1762, with several later widenings.
Having walked the Kennet and Avon canal the 6 locks do not compare to the 29 at Caen Hill Locks, just outside Devizes.
We break off here and follow the river Brent (at 18 miles one of London’s longest rivers). The path continues along side the river. We pass under the Uxbridge road using a water bridge that is dry due to lack of rain.
We walk through Brent Meadow with its view of Wharncliffe Viaduct. This impressive structure was built in 1838 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel to carry the Great Western Railway from London to Bristol.
We pass under the viaduct and enter Brent Lodge Park. This has a small zoo, a children’s play area and a maze. But more importantly a cafe. We stop for a coffee and a short comfort break.
We follow the path, cross the river and then past a cricket field. The route emerges onto Brent Valley golf course. We watch two guys tee off, the first knocks his golf ball off the tee and we make some joke about an extra shot.
The route continue between the fairways. We continue to Bitten Feld and find a bench. We sit and enjoy our lunch as we watch the locals walk by.
Lunch done we continue and enter another large park. There is a group of men donning cricket whites as they get ready to play. We come across a memorial bench to Nicky Hopkins (1944-1994). He was a session pianist. The bench lists a number of tracks that he is credited with playing on – a very impressive list.
With a few bum notes
After leaving the park we have to cross the Western avenue using a foot bridge. Lots of traffic going into and coming out of London via this main road artery.
It is now just a short walk to the finish at Greenford station. We walk to the underground station, keeping our eyes pealed for a pub. But we don’t find one so head back on the underground to Ealing Broadway.
We find a pub and get a well deserved pint.
After a beer (or two) we head back to the train station and catch the train back to Twyford. Chris makes a friend on the way home. Karen is there waiting to give two tired walkers a lift home.
Walking Stats
Time: 1 hours 40 Minutes
Distance: 4.71 Miles
Final Thoughts
Two very easy walks. Lovely to walk along the Thames and Grand Union Canals. We did not cover as much distance as we have in previous walks. But two more down.
In total we have walked just over 51 miles in 17 hours and 45 minutes. These two walks totalled 8.66 miles.
So that makes 10 legs down and only 5 left to do.