Riverside dog walks: Hampton Court? Richmond?

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watson1959

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SWMBO did a 30k walk along the Thames Path last year and now walks to re-visit some of the sections.

Where can the learned panel suggest in/around the above areas that are suitable for dog walking, including safe sections for them to jump in/get out.....a decent dog-friendly pub with garden for lunch.....

Open to suggestions as its a stretch we dont know.

Cheers
 
watson1959 said:
SWMBO did a 30k walk along the Thames Path last year and now walks to re-visit some of the sections.

Where can the learned panel suggest in/around the above areas that are suitable for dog walking, including safe sections for them to jump in/get out.....a decent dog-friendly pub with garden for lunch.....

Open to suggestions as its a stretch we dont know.

Cheers
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You can walk all of that very easily.

Hampton Court will be the Hampton Court side down to Kingston Bridge. This is made up of two tow paths, one for cyclists, walkers and runners, the other is right next to the river about 5 meters from the other. There is no pub option on this one and it's about 3 miles. When you get to Kingston Bridge you jump over the river and walk along the Kingston side (alongside JL etc) all the way down to Teddington. Again two paths and plenty of room. Pub options, well you have the Boaters which is ok at Kingston or you walk to Tedd (which you have to do) and jump over the foot bridge and eat at the Tide End or Anglers or if you are more adventurous just stroll up the high street when you can get you hair cut, eat or buy a house and that's it. However the choice is endless.

Back to the Tedd - Rich tow path this is a single shared path but tidal so the whole thing is a sloping beach to the water (not sand...) so very dog friendly. No pubs on this one until you get to Richmond where there are plenty by the bridge or you can eat at Steins which is on the tow path. (German Sausage and Steins...)

If you want to do something slightly different jump over the bridge at Tedd and walk up ferry road and turn right onto Twickenham Road, this is about a two mile walk into Twick along a main road but it will bring you onto the Twickenham path where you have Church Street and two very good boozers or the Barmey Arms or White Swan again by the river (VERY DOG FRIENDLY) this is then tow path along side Marble Hill Park into Richmond.

Plenty of safe place to jump in but PLEASE don have one of those stupid leads that lets the dog run ahead 30 feet!!!!

Shout if you need anything else!
 
Does it have to be around Hampton Court/Richmond? It can get very busy in that neck of the woods. Can give you quieter/more rural suggestions based around Shepperton/Weybridge if it would be of interest.
 
Wavey said:
Does it have to be around Hampton Court/Richmond? It can get very busy in that neck of the woods. Can give you quieter/more rural suggestions based around Shepperton/Weybridge if it would be of interest.
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Absolutely not....we're open to suggestions, Wavey. Key is the dog walk and easy access to the water (as opposed to a 6' drop) along with a decent stop for lunch.
 
Wavey said:
Does it have to be around Hampton Court/Richmond? It can get very busy in that neck of the woods. Can give you quieter/more rural suggestions based around Shepperton/Weybridge if it would be of interest.
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Gotta disagree there I am afraid, they are all as busy as each other and not really that busy (part from flower show) I do find the Sunbury, Shepp, Weybridge, Chertsey bits all over the place in terms of tow paths and roads. At least with the HC and Tedd paths you have two tow paths to separate the cyclists etc.

Each to their own I guess..
 
OK, here goes....

Immediately below Shepperton Lock the tow path swops banks. The crossing is served by a small ferry operated by Nauticalia (their shop is worth a nose around). You can park either on the north side behind the lock or on the south side in the car park at the bottom end of Thames Street, Weybridge.

From Shepperton Lock head upstream (west) and just around the corner is the Thames Court Hotel (It's not actually a hotel just a big pub with a large outside area). Follow the tow path west takes you to Chertsey bridge and lock (with a very small detour around some houseboats). As you approach the bridge there's a huge open area you can let the dog run free and plenty of places for taking a dip on the way. By Chertsey bridge is the Kingfisher serving decent beer and good pub grub. Carry on the north bank if you wish towards Laleham where there's decent pubs (for example the three horseshoes) just off the river. If you're really energetic you'll hit Penton Hook lock next but there's no more watering holes until Staines.

From the south side (Weybridge) there's a great pub called the Old Crown very close to the car park in Thames Street with a riverside beer garden. Head downstream (east) from the car park and almost immediately you'll hit the Desborough cut and Desborough Island served by bridges at either end. The island is also a huge area the dog can run free with quite a few dipping spots. Back on the main tow path continue downstream and you'll see the new Walton Bridge with Walton Marina just beyond and The Anglers pub just beyond that. There's also another pub (I think it's the Swan) just back from the river a bit before The Anglers. Carry on further down and just as you reach the weir at Sunbury there's a pub called ...... wait for it..... The Weir(!) with an extensive beer garden on the riverside.

If you don't fancy these this time around they're worth remembering for another time.
 
Splendid...thanks Wavey. Any idea of approximate time for the round trips for both options excluding stops (food/dog swims etc)?

Assume a leisurely pace as opposed to speed-walk!
 
Richard Shead said:
Gotta disagree there I am afraid, they are all as busy as each other and not really that busy (part from flower show) I do find the Sunbury, Shepp, Weybridge, Chertsey bits all over the place in terms of tow paths and roads. At least with the HC and Tedd paths you have two tow paths to separate the cyclists etc.

Each to their own I guess..
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Absolutely, although I work in Richmond close to the river and have given up lunchtime walks 'cos it can get so busy, particularly with cyclists (who annoy me intensely as I regularly cycle towpaths and I'm a lot more bloomin' considerate that most of them are).
 
watson1959 said:
Splendid...thanks Wavey. Any idea of approximate time for the round trips for both options excluding stops (food/dog swims etc)?

Assume a leisurely pace as opposed to speed-walk!
Click to expand...

Walk.. Oh god I only ever cycle :)

Shepperton to Chertsey locks is just over 2 miles so leisurely it's probably around an hour? Add another mile if you head on to Laleham.

Weybridge to Sunbury locks is about 3 miles. The Anglers would be a bit over half way. I'd probably add another hour for a stroll around Desborough Island.
 
Wavey said:
Walk.. Oh god I only ever cycle :)

Shepperton to Chertsey locks is just over 2 miles so leisurely it's probably around an hour? Add another mile if you head on to Laleham.

Weybridge to Sunbury locks is about 3 miles. The Anglers would be a bit over half way. I'd probably add another hour for a stroll around Desborough Island.
Click to expand...

CYCLE????????? I'd better get one of those stupid retractable leads ready!


.....and thanks for the suggestions :)
 
Wavey said:
OK, here goes....

Immediately below Shepperton Lock the tow path swops banks. The crossing is served by a small ferry operated by Nauticalia (their shop is worth a nose around). You can park either on the north side behind the lock or on the south side in the car park at the bottom end of Thames Street, Weybridge.

From Shepperton Lock head upstream (west) and just around the corner is the Thames Court Hotel (It's not actually a hotel just a big pub with a large outside area). Follow the tow path west takes you to Chertsey bridge and lock (with a very small detour around some houseboats). As you approach the bridge there's a huge open area you can let the dog run free and plenty of places for taking a dip on the way. By Chertsey bridge is the Kingfisher serving decent beer and good pub grub. Carry on the north bank if you wish towards Laleham where there's decent pubs (for example the three horseshoes) just off the river. If you're really energetic you'll hit Penton Hook lock next but there's no more watering holes until Staines.

From the south side (Weybridge) there's a great pub called the Old Crown very close to the car park in Thames Street with a riverside beer garden. Head downstream (east) from the car park and almost immediately you'll hit the Desborough cut and Desborough Island served by bridges at either end. The island is also a huge area the dog can run free with quite a few dipping spots. Back on the main tow path continue downstream and you'll see the new Walton Bridge with Walton Marina just beyond and The Anglers pub just beyond that. There's also another pub (I think it's the Swan) just back from the river a bit before The Anglers. Carry on further down and just as you reach the weir at Sunbury there's a pub called ...... wait for it..... The Weir(!) with an extensive beer garden on the riverside.

If you don't fancy these this time around they're worth remembering for another time.
Click to expand...

Good options from Wavey. We live on the Shepperton weirstream Weybridge side and can do 7 pubs in our 'beer boat' without going through a lock, happy days. So I would plump for the downstream option with one of the best dog walking/swim spots on Desborough Island. Also one of the deepest spots on the river opposite the Sailing Club courtesy of a WW2 bomb.
Thames Court incidentally used to be the Dutch Ambassadors Residence. Clearly had a need to be near water.!
 
dash300 said:
Also one of the deepest spots on the river opposite the Sailing Club courtesy of a WW2 bomb.
Click to expand...
Anyone who doesn't know about the bomb hole keep an eye on your depth sounder next time you pass the club. Even after all these years it's one hell of a hole!

Didn't know about the Thames Court. I have very fond memories of it back in the 1970s. Even though I lived in SE London back then it was one of my favourite watering spots, mainly because of the gorgeous young females that frequented it! Happy days :cool:
 
SWMBO is very pleased with what you have written about the Thsmes Court Hotel in the 1970s..... She was one of the gorgeous young females that frequented it!
 
Just to add I had to move out the way of three stoopid long dog leads today on my run down the to path - just take the dog off the lead or keep it short!

In fact I am going to go down Tedd High Street now with my wife on a 10 foot lead...I appreciate that sounds a little wrong.

Thames Court was also good in the 90's for meeting the local Weybridge girls, if you were lucky you would catch one who lived in the hills...
 
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