Thames Path Part Four: Kingston to Chertsey

The Thames Path is a 182 mile National Trail stretching from London to Gloucestershire. This year, the group will aim to cover the whole trail from start to finish! This initial 5 part series will involve covering the “London” section of the Path from its start in Woolwich up to Windsor.

To add some fun to our adventure, you are encouraged to purchase the Thames Passport where we will collect stamps at over 30 stamping stations along the Path. Collect stamps at all the various stations and you can receive a Certificate of Completion for doing the whole trail from start to finish! The link to purchase the passport is here: https://walkthethames.co.uk/thames-path-passport/

Part Four of our Thames Path Adventure features a lot of royal (and music) history. Heading out from Kingston station, we will cross Kingston Bridge and follow the river into Hampton Court Park before reaching the famous Hampton Court Palace, known as a residence of King Henry VIII. We will cross the river to Molesey Lock and have a quick café stop to collect another stamp. 

After coffee, we will make our way into Hurst Park and across the river, we will have a glimpse of David Gilmour of Pink Floyd’s boat house Astoria, where Pink Floyd recorded their final 3 albums. 

We will have a lunch stop at Molesey Reservoirs Nature Reserve before making our way into Walton-on-Thames.  Here is where the fun begins! We will cross the river at Walton Lane using The Ferry Point, signalling to the ferry man using a bell that we need to cross. Note that the crossing will cost £3.50 per person (a return journey is not needed). If the ferry is not running, we will cross the river at Walton Bridge. We will then stop at the Ferry Coffee Shop to collect another stamp. 

The final stage will see us leave the path at Chertsey Bridge where we will make our way to the station for the conclusion of another leg.