The STAR Backyard 2024

A nice easy, circular walk to do with the kids, taking in the beauty of the North Downs in Surrey Hill's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Plenty of places to leave a RockFun rock for someone else to find. We suggest about 4-5 rocks for hiding on this walk.

We pass thru' the picturesque village of East Clandon, then thru' the Ryde Estate where we join the Fox Way and stay with it to Walsham Lock. Along lanes past Ockham to the historic village of Ripley. We follow a path across the Green then turn left to join the River Wey Navigation at Walsham Lock. We follow the Wey, mainly surrounded by green open space and pasture, thru' West Byfleet, New Haw, Addlestone and Weybridge to Thames Lock and finish on the River Thames at Walton Bridge.

This circular walk close to Abinger provides a good way to explore the countryside using a section of Greensand Way leading to Leith Hill Tower. You will enjoy quiet paths and tracks in the woods, along River Tillingourne and great views from Leith Hill!

From the start, we climb thru' the village of Westhumble and up onto the Downs behind Denbies Vineyard. From the West Hanger picnic area we continue along the North Downs Way for just over half a mile then turn right to go north and gradually downhill off the Downs. Then, enjoy the views of West London and Heathrow Airport to the right and Woking in front. You can also stop off for refreshments at the Tillingbourne Brewery at Old Scotland Farm. It's a beautiful route, but be warned, it's hilly.

The route crosses the River Thames, going firstly north for half a mile to the Fordbridge Roundabout, then east thru' Lower Sunbury, past the Hampton Waterworks and through Hampton Village. We then follow a scenic route through Bushy Park and finish in the middle of the maze in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. It's a bit of a strange way to finish the walk, but you'll enjoy the scenery and the places you pass on route.

A suggested start of the walk is at Warnham Local Nature Reserve. Going clockwise, the route follows Chennells Brook and later picks up the Horn Brook near Leechpool Woods.

The last section of our walk starts is 11.1 miles. It starts at St Mary's Church at Walton-on-Thames and takes in the Thames Path, Hurst Park, Hampton Ferry, Hampton Village, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston-upon-Thames and follows the Thames Path upstream to finish at Hampton Court Palace.

Spend the day in London without feeling in London with this Thames Path Walk from Hampton Court Palace to Kew. Wander alongside the River Thames, from the quiet towpath to the busy suburbs riverside, passing by landmarks such as bridges and gardens. With a pub recommendation at the end, you’ve got your perfect day out in West London sorted!