Start - West Byfleet
Finish - Hampton Court
Walk Inspiration -
Saturday Walkers Club, Walk 45
Distance - 11.5 Miles
Geocaches - 11
Pubs - The Old Crown - Youngs Bitter, The Mute Swan - Triple F Moondance, The Albion, Exmoor Silver Stallion
I'm back down South, this time walking the wonderful waterlands of West London. I found this route on the Saturday Walkers Club, which seems to be an online version of the excellent Time Out Country Walks in London books. I'll check, but I'm fairly sure that this great walk is not in the printed version.
The walk starts at West Byfleet and instantly picks up the Basingstoke Canal. After this walk, I may have to revise my views on canal walking - which normally, I have no time for. This canal has crystal clear water, interesting buildings, great geocaches and not a single submerged shopping trolley in sight. It may be because this is not strictly speaking a canal, but a Navigation - a waterway that follows a river and empties into the same basin.
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| Never found a decent pub called the Station |
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| House Boats that look like House Boats |
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| Even the M25 cannot spoil this walk |
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| The Mill at Coxes Lock |
I was looking forward to Weybridge, never having previously been there. It didn't disappoint. The walk skims the town but does provide the chance to look at some very fine houses on the riverbank. Mrs Mappiman informs me that residents are Cliff, Shakin' Stevens and Ronnie Corbett. My mate Neil tells me at least one of those is pushing up daises.
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| Into Weybridge |
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| One of many fine residences |
The Wey Navigation, enjoyed as it was, ends at the Thames Lock. There is a little hay strewn visitor centre in an old barn. I learn the differences between man made waterways.
Before getting to the Thames, I have a short amount of road walking and I am faced with a choice of recommendations. Two pubs, one Cask Marque, one Good Beer Guide Accredited are directly opposite each other and a battle ensues for who gets the Mappiman Dollar. The Minnows (CM) loses out to the Old Crown (GBG) by virtue of the fact that its open at the very civilised hour of 10:30am.
A good choice - I loved it's weather boarded exterior, old school interior and a very decent pint of Youngs Bitter. Lovely landlady stopped her cleaning duties to talk about the price of some of the riverside properties for sale (£3.9m but its been up for 18 months and they may take an offer) and to tell me that I have two hours more walking before hitting my destination.
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| Too Beautiful to walk on by |
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| Take Courage |
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| Old School |
Refreshed, I hit the Thames. Its a hive of activity. The Molesey regatta is in full swing, The banks are full of spectators, the paths are full of cyclists (one more bell ding and someones in for an early bath) and the river is full of racing craft of all shapes and sizes.
I am also being serenaded. In Jerome K Jerome style, a boat full of Carling drinking toffs are out for a pleasure cruise that heads in the same direction as me, chugging along at the exact walking pace of a 46 year old, one pint in. I find it quite soothing to listen to a medley of Beatles tunes belted out by posh lager louts with a trilbeyed tit on a Ukulele.
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| Race Day |
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| New Bridge |
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| Musical accompaniment into Henley |
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| Where the House Boats are two storey |
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| Ukulele Tit in a Trilby |
The bridge marks the end of the walk. A final cache and a drop off a TB rescued in Ibiza and a quick look at Hampton Court - scene of many a Tudor drama.
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| Touristy Sight Seeing |
Directly opposite Hampton Court is the Mute Swan. A beautiful building but chain owned and obviously full of tourists (self included). It could have been terrible. It was wonderful. Six real ales on and a barman who knew his stuff and made a fine recommendation of Triple F Moondancer. Top pint, top food and excellent service. Highly recommended.
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| Great Beer, Great Food, Great Service |
And in juxtaposition to the touristy poshness of the Mute Swan, I head for the Cask Marque approved Albion. Down a side street full of antique shops and estate agents and bistros, it can be filed under "earthy".
A proper drinkers pub, filled with proper drinkers and another first beer for me, a wonderful Exmoor Ale Silver Stallion.
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| Boing Boing Boozer |
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| All Badged Up |
So, that's the Thames Path walked from Crayford Ness all the way to Windsor. Time to head into the home counties, upstream.
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