Riverside & Georgian Gothic Walk

A gentle, flat 6-mile walk along the Thames from Kingston to Richmond. After coffee at the Argonaut Café will follow the Thames though Kingston and Ham admiring the mansions and views from the Thames Path. At Teddington Lock will cross the river via the footbridge and continue through Teddington. We then reach the Georgian Gothic revival masterpiece of Strawberry Hill House. Created by Horace Walpole in the 18th century it was the inspiration for the Gothic revival in England and the setting for "The castle of Otranto", the first Gothic novel in English language. Walpole intended a tour of Strawberry Hill to be a theatrical experience. You enter a gloomy hall and pass up a staircase of grey stony appearance before finally entering the sumptuous state apartment, a burst of crimson and gold. We can explore the house and gardens, syringas and honeysuckles along the winding paths. We will stop for lunch at the Cloister coffee house. Gardens and café free, charge for entry and guided tour of house. Afterwards easy walk back along other bank of Thames to Richmond. We will pass York House, Orleans House and Marble Hill House before crossing back. Final tiffin stop at the hidden Hollyhocks tea rooms on Richmond Hill. Short cut option after Strawberry Hill House as nearby station with services back to start or Richmond and London.
Refreshments
Café at start. Lots of pubs and cafes on route. Option to bring packed lunch as picnic benches at lunch stop.
Travel
Southwestern trains to Kingston from Waterloo. Services stop at Clapham Junction. At Richmond there are District and Mildmay Lines, and Southwestern trains. Southwestern train back to Kingston or 65 bus. Payable parking at start and end.
Start
11:00am at tables at Argonaut Café, Riverside, Kingston, KT1 1TF. A good knowledge of English history is required for this walk.