Thames Path: Twickenham to Kew

Yesterday M and I walked the second leg of the Thames Path. He had a day off from 111 in lieu of working on Bank Holiday so was able to join me. As the trains are less frequent on a Sunday and traffic and parking both much better than a weekday we drove down to Kew. We managed to find some free roadside parking, then caught a bus to Twickenham Station to start the 6.5 mile walk. 

It was the warmest day we have had in a while and I was able to walk wearing just a shirt - a pleasant change from being wrapped up in a winter coat or warm jacket! The whole of this stretch from Twickenham through Richmond, Isleworth and Brentford was new to me, though M remembered being taken to both Richmond and Syon House as a child. The view in the picture below is of Old Isleworth.

We had done a bit of research before setting off and decided to cross the river at Richmond to buy lunch from a vegetarian cafe under the arches of Richmond Bridge. It was a good call. M had  houmous and falafel with salad, and I bought a sweet potato and apricot pie - both delicious. We walked on another mile or so before sitting down for lunch with a view. 

Part of the walk turned away from the river and cut through Syon Park, with views Syon House (the London home of the Duke of Northumberland). The igloos in front of the house are for covid-safe dining - I presume there must be a restaurant within the gardens, which are open to the public. Currently restaurants and pubs are only allowed to serve meals outdoors, though there is a fairly wide interpretation of what counts as "outside". A plastic bubble ticks the box. I wonder how much longer these will be necessary?

After Syon Park the walk zig-zagged between the river and the Grand Union Canal which runs through Brentford - the same canal we walk along at home! This section is a short spur which links the main canal with the Thames. I had absolutely no idea it ended up here. The text on the side of this building amused me ... "Along the towpath the Sunday walkers amble, overtaken by lycra joggers." Indeed! We are definitely in the amblers category. 

This last stretch of the walk was much more industrial and busy, including some working boatyards. We were also struck by how many new or nearly new blocks of flats there were along the river bank. Great views, but I imagine they must come at a hefty price. 

Towards the end of the walk we passed this rather atmospheric wreck, which looks as though it must have been there for quite some time. On the opposite bank of the river is Kew Gardens - one of those places that is on my "must visit" list. I have been before, but it must have been at least 30 years ago I think. 

The walk was a nice length. It must have been about 11 when we started walking, and we got back to the car at 2, after stopping to buy and eat lunch. It was an easy drive, motorway all the way and with very little traffic it only took us just over an hour. Much quicker than catching the train, and with two of us and free parking much cheaper. In the evening we were lazy and ordered a click-and-collect takeaway from Nandos, at TG's request.