Bushy Park, Thames Path and Kingston Christmas Market 15km Beginner Hike

This entirely flat circular route takes us through the ancient market town of Kingston Upon Thames and the beautiful Bushy Park, to then pass by the iconic Hampton Court Palace and follow the Thames Path back to Kingston, where you are free to indulge in wonders of a charming Christmas Market, enjoy a well-deserved drink or hop on train back to London.

We start from Kingston Station and after a short walk we cross the Thames, to then enter Bushy Park, the second largest of London’s Royal Parks. The park, created in the early 16th century to provide convenient hunting grounds for Hampton Court, is home to 320 red and fallow deer; we are bound to see some of them as we cover about 5km within the park.

The last leg of the route follows the Thames Path and takes us immediately past the magnificent Hampton Court Palace. The Palace originally belonged to cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who later gave it to king Henry VIII in an attempt to repair the strained relationship with the monarch; the palace became one of Henry's most favourite residences.

We finally cross the Kingston Bridge again and head towards Kingston Market, which is open 7 days a week and has an array of hot street food options. At this time of the year, there’s also a lovely Christmas Market which is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. You are free to end your hike here and enjoy the market or follow me back to Kingston Station, where the walk ends.

GRADE: Beginner, 15km/9 miles on good paths and all flat. About 3 hours of hiking plus lunch.

COST: £10.00 organiser fee paid on RSVP

MEETING POINT and TIME: Kingston Station, 10:46am

TRAINS: 10:18am from London Waterloo arriving at Kingston Station at 10:46am. Travel time 28 minutes. Kingston is in Oyster zone 6 – use your Oyster card.

DO NOT take the 10:14am train which arrives in Kingston at 10:59am, 13 minutes after the 10:18 train.

RETURN: On Sundays, trains to London Waterloo leave Kingston 04, 34 and 49 minutes past an hour and take between 30 and 47 minutes.

LUNCH: Packed lunch, picnic

HIKE FINISHES: approximately 15:00 at Kingston Station

HIKE LEADER: Eliza 07990 489040

What to bring: lunch, snacks, water, suitable clothing and hiking footwear. Click here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FLjSAczjgbZ26OKE4Iy_zX2IFqkybdXCmK9AkVfqI1w/edit?usp=sharing

Terms and conditions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XSic4Aj9VJguTQuiWrTd6I1A-EmvmQCqCHggB0omlX8/edit?usp=sharing

To view our full calendar: https://www.meetup.com/GO-London/events/