Thames Path National Trail: Hammersmith Bridge to Richmond Bridge

Head west (right if you have your back to the river), following the clearly defined towpath, leaving Hammersmith Bridge behind you. This bridge was built in the 1820s by William Tierney Clark, who also built Marlow Bridge further along the Thames (which, as it happens, is also exactly the same as the bridge linking Buda and Pest in the Hungarian capital). The river bends south west, past the grounds of St. Paul's School, with Chiswick partially visible across the water, obscured by Chiswick Eyot (one of the names used for an island in the Thames). There's a disused reservoir to your left as you follow the path down to Lonsdale Road onto the Terrace. Look out for house number 10 - this is where Gustav Holst lived when he was writing The Planets suite (most of it was written in the main bedroom in fact), Cross the road and follow the pavement down to Barnes Bridge

Pass under Barnes Bridge, shortly after which the road diverts away from the river and along the Mortlake waterfront. Pass the finishing post for the annual Oxford v. Cambridge Boat Race to pass under Chiswick Bridge, after which there are some boat houses on the opposite bank. The river now strikes out in a north westerly direction, passing some drainage works before coming to the Public Records Office. Pass under a railway bridge (carrying the District Line, this may be your view on the way back) and look out for Oliver's Island in the middle of the river. Opposite is Strand on the Green. As the bend in the river flattens out you come to Kew Bridge.

If the end of the previous section lacked a little in greenery, don't worry, you will be repaid in spades along this next section, which follows the edge of both Kew Gardens and the Old Deer Park. Leave Kew Bridge behind you (although it's a little known fact that it was re-named Edward VII Bridge when the King opened the current bridge in 1903, although the name never quite stuck), and take note of the various islands in the river, including Brentford Ait (another name for an island here). Before long, you are walking by Kew Palace and Kew Gardens. The latter are formally known as the Royal Botanical Gardens and were founded in 1759 by Princess Augusta, who was also responsible for the iconic pagoda. As the river begins to dip south, by Kew Observatory, look out for the old meridian marked by a line in the ground and by a run of obelisks leading up to the Observatory. These mark the line used to mark time before Greenwich Mean Time was introduced. On the opposite bank lies Syon House, home of the Duke of Northumberland, shortly after which you come to Isleworth Ait in the river, with its riverside pavilion.

After Isleworth Ait, the river bends south east, still running alongside the Old Deer Park, which is marked here by trees. Half way between the bend and Twickenham Bridge, which you should now be able to see, is Richmond Lock, the first (or last, depending on your direction) lock on the river. This saves Richmond from a draining away of water during low tides. Cross the old meridian again, and after Twickenham Bridge and another railway bridge, you begin to enter Richmond. Continue along the landing stage and its various boats (and if you're lucky ice cream and drinks vendors), until you reach Richmond Bridge and the end of the walk. To get to the railway station, head left up Hill Street, which becomes George Street and then the Quadrant. The station is on your right.