The re-boot: Section 3 (Take 2), Putney to Teddington
Details
What is this?
The third "re-boot" leg of the 180 mile walk, for those who missed it the first time round. This segment gives us a flavour of what the Thames path will be like as we get out of London. It also takes us past many mansions and gardens, including the Kew Gardens and is generally rural, it gives us a chance to meet many authentic British birds on the way.
The walk will be led by:
Jan: 07774 473392
Julia: 07970 812913
Alison: 07787 438428
You can use these numbers to contact them if you get held up on the way to the walk, or delayed or lost during it.
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/2/8/7/event_29197511.jpeg
Meeting-point
The Meeting point is
St. Mary's Church cafe, Putney
Putney High Street, London SW15 1SN
http://j.mp/Atrf14 (http://www.maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?cid=12924545747344758137&q=st+mary%27s+cafe+putney&hl=en&gl=uk&ie=UTF8&ll=51.548043,-0.43602&spn=0,0&t=h&z=11)
The cafe will be closed but look out for people hanging around in the paved area near the very small green patch.
http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/a/a/5/event_30186821.jpeg (http://www.maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?cid=12924545747344758137&q=st+mary%27s+cafe+putney&hl=en&gl=uk&ie=UTF8&ll=51.548043,-0.43602&spn=0,0&t=h&z=11)
Meeting-time
Meeting time is 10:00am, and we'll head off by 10:15
Getting to the Meeting-point
Putney Bridge (District Line) and Putney Station (mainline from Waterloo / Clapham Junction or Richmond) are both good choices.
If you come from Putney Bridge, ignore the pedestrian sign for "Putney" that takes you over the railway bridge, instead head down Ranelagh Gardens and cross via Putney Bridge.
From Putney Overground station you turn right onto the high street and keep walking towards the bridge. St Mary’s Church is just before the bridge on your right.
Note; Putney Bridge is unique in England in having a church at each end. Make sure you're waiting at the southern end. The one at the north end was a filming location for The Exorcist, and not really in keeping with the intended theme of this walk.
There may be options to come by bus as well, but whatever means you choose do plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time.
The Walk
The walk is not intended to be a guided walk, everyone is free to walk at their own pace, there will be a designated group leader for each group whose job is to make sure the group loosely hangs around together. In this walk there will be one designated stop for lunch at Kew Green.
The path is clearly marked so there is little chance of getting lost, the group leader is expected to keep an eye on the signs and make sure that too many people are not going off the path.
The Route
This time the route is mostly along the river, along the towpath which starts at Putney and goes right up to Teddington. Putney is the home of the Oxford and Cambride Boat Race, and we start off following the race route, before heading through the relatively urban landscape of Barnes. We then pass through lush green park areas around Mortlake, before lunch at Kew. If you pass Kew Bridge before lunch, you've overshot; the pub is on Kew Green and the turning to it is just before the bridge.
After lunch we head off again past Kew Gardens, the last part passes through the built areas of Richmond and Twickenham before our final destination, Teddington. Access to The Anglers is via a large footbridge at Teddington Lock; this is the only time we cross the river during the walk.
Route map and other details are on the website
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thamespath/d... (http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thamespath/downloads.asp?PageId=77)
or see the map at http://j.mp/AjovVB
Pit Stops, Lunch and Apres Walk Drink
The will be one major Lunch stop, approx half way in the walk
This stop is at Kew Green, just before the start of the Kew Gardens.
The designated lunch point is
The GreyHound
82 Kew Green, Richmond TW9 3AP
There are other cafes in the area as well and of course the options to have a picnic on the green.
The walk will finish at the Anglers Pub.
Anglers
3 Broom Road
Teddington
Middlesex
TW11 9NR
http://www.theanglersteddington.co.uk/
The Anglers pub is on the riverside just across the Teddington lock, cross the footbridge across Teddington Lock. It has a large outdoor area where we can enjoy a well earned pint at the end of the walk. It is half a mile from the Teddington overground station.
http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/5/4/3/event_29198211.jpeg
How far is it and when will I get there?
The total distance is 12.5 Miles
The approximate distance between sections are as follows
Putney Bridge to Hammersmith Bridge = 1.5 miles
Hammersmith Bridge to Kew Bridge (and lunch!) = 5 miles
Kew Bridge to Anglers Pub = 6 Miles
With a Start-time of 10:15 the estimated time for the walk is -
To Kew Green (Lunch Stop) between 12:30 - 1:30 pm
To Teddington between 3:00 - 4:30 pm
All these times have a generous allowance for Lunch.
Getting Home
The walk finishes at a pub which is approximately 0.5 mile from the Teddington station. Regular overland trains are available from Teddington to London Waterloo, there are two routes one via Kingston and Wimbledon the other via Richmond. The trains are every 10-15 minutes
FAQ
What do I need to bring?
Suitable footwear and clothing. The walk will go ahead even if the weather is horrible. Drinks, chocolate to share, something for lunch. Money for a pint at the end
What if I can't make it?
Please change your RSVP to "no" as soon as you decide you can’t make it.
What if I am late?
We will be leaving the meeting point by 10:15. If you are delayed beyond that, you will be on your own, but you can try and catch up with along the route.
Can I do only part of the walk?
Yes. You can quit the walk anytime, but will have to carry the burden of failure for the rest of your life. The best places to quit are Kew Bridge or Richmond as both places have good train connections.
Can I join the walk at half way say at mid-day ?
This will be logistically quite difficult, but you can always try. The best place to meet us will be at the Lunch stop, Kew Green (The Greyhound pub)
What if I get lost?
You can text the group leader, and if finding the group proves to be too disruptive and painful, head for the nearest train station go home. The best places to find your way back are at Kew Bridge station or at Richmond.
What if it rains or the weather is bad?
The walk will be on rain or shine, make sure you bring suitable waterproof clothing.