The Thames Path by Leigh Hatts

This Friday afternoon will see Pope Benedict XVI visiting the Archbishop of Canterbury at riverside Lambeth Palace.

His Holiness will be crossing the Thames several times that day as he goes from Wimbledon to Twickenham, Twickenham to Lambeth and Lambeth to Westminster. On Saturday he is likely to have glimpse again of the river when he goes to Vauxhall.

But the highlight of the four day State Visit is the beatification of John Henry Newman. The English cardinal is of course associated with Oxford but his favourite spot was downstream at Ham near Richmond.

He spent his very early childhood years at Grey Court House which he later compared to paradise. His vivid memory was of lying in bed in 1805 when the widows were lit up with candles to mark news of the Battle of Trafalgar victory. The building has a blue plaque.

After passing Ham House, and before Eel Pie Island, turn left down Ham Street to find the house on the left just beyond The Royal Oak on the corner of Sandy Lane. The plaque can be seen from the gate.

See Ham House page 60.