Start Hampton Court Railway Station, Hampton Court Way, East Molesey, Surrey, (KT8 9AE). Grid ref. TQ 1540 6833
(S) Start the walk at Hampton Court Railway Station. When you come out of the station, take right (North East) onto A309 (Hampton Court Way) and cross over Hampton Court Bridge.
(1) Once on the other side of the bridge, take the footpath (Barge Walk) on your right (South East) and start walking on the Thames Path. You pass behind the Gardens of Hampton Court Palace and you can take a glimpse at the beauty of the garden through the gate. You notice that the path then bends towards the North-East and then North. Continue on the Thames Path for 4.5 Km in total.
(2) You then arrive at Kingston Bridge. Go up the path leading to the bridge and cross the bridge. On the other side go down the stairs on the side of the bridge to get back onto the Thames Path. Take left (North) on the Thames Path when you arrive at the bottom of the stairs. The path may divert from the edge of the river from time to time. Continue straight (North) regardless. It is the case when you arrive at the Kingston Marina and the Kingston Rowing Club when you need to walk around it in order to be able to continue. The towpath ends at the crossing with Lower Ham Road.
(3) Take left (North West) onto Lower Ham Road. Walk on the side of the road for 470m.
(4) As the road bends towards the right (North), you find a footpath on the left (North)-West) of the road to continue the walk by the river. Take this footpath and continue straight (North-West then North then North-East) for 5.13 Km. On your way, you pass by the Teddington Railway Bridge, you can take a sneak peek at the horses in Ham Lands and as you are coming to a bend, you can see the Royal Star building on top of Richmond Hill.
After Petersham Meadows, the sinuous River Thames bends towards the left (North-West) however the footpath turns towards the right (North East) and ends at the crossing with A307 (Petersham Road). Just before getting to the busy road, you find public toilets available.
(5) Don't cross the road. On the left (West) hand side of the public toilets building you find a footpath to continue your route by the Thames. You then arrive at the river bank of lively Richmond with plenty of restaurants, pubs and coffee shops to make a stop. Continue your walk on the promenade.
(6) When you arrive at the Slug and Lettuce at the corner of Water Lane, continue straight (North West) on the river path (Cholmondeley Walk). Walk on this leg of the Thames Path for 4.5 Km. The path first heads towards the North-West, then North and finally bends towards the North-East. On this stretch of the walk, you pass in front of Syon Park and walk along the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew.
(7) When you arrive at the crossroad with Ferry Lane at the corner of the Herbarium Library and the Kew Green Preparatory School, leave the Thames Path. Turn right (South) onto Ferry Lane. Continue straight on Ferry Lane for 230 m crossing Kew Green.
(8) On the other side of the green, turn left (South-East) onto Kew Green. When you arrive at the crossroad with A205 (Kew Road), find the nearest zebra crossing and cross Kew Road. On the other side of the road is a pub called Coach and Horses where we stop for lunch.
Alternatively, if you do not wish to stop at the pub you can walk directly to Kew Gardens Station. At the crossing between Kew Green and A205, this time don't walk across the road but turn right (South West) onto Kew Road. Then, a little further down, turn left (South East) onto Kew Garden Road. Continue on this road until you see Station Approach on your left (East). Walk down Station Approach to get to Kew Garden station (TQ 1918 7674) (E) Coach & Horses Pub, 8 Kew Grn, Richmond (TW9 3BH) Grid ref.TQ 1894 7753
