The Thames Path by Leigh Hatts » Updates

Thames Promenade may widen Thames Path

Leigh Hatts — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:59:23 +0000

A plan devised by Bermondsey architect Michael Davis to provide a wide riverside path between the London Bridge and the South Bank is to be considered by the London assembly’s transport committee.

The London Promenade plan would see a path built out into the river to keep walkers by water at such pinch points as Southwark Cathedral, Clink Street and Blackfriars Bridge.

See pages 30-37.

Swan Upping 2010

Leigh Hatts — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:51:48 +0000

Swan Upping, the annual census of the swan population on River Thames, starts today.

Look out for the skiffs with their Royal and livery flags making a colourful sight on their slow progress to Abingdon.

The Queen’s Swan Marker David Barber and his team depart from Sunbury Lock this morning for a week travelling upstream. With him are the Swan Markers from the Dyers and Vintners livery companies who also own swans.

The swans and young cygnets are also assessed for any signs of injury or disease.

The timetable is:

Monday 19th July 2010
Sunbury Lock 09.00 – Departure point
Shepperton Lock 10.45
Penton Hook Lock 12.30
Romney Lock 17.30

Tuesday 20th July 2010
Eton Bridge 09.00 – Departure point
Boveney Lock 10.15
Boulters Lock 13.00
Marlow Lock 17.30

Wednesday 21st July 2010
Marlow Bridge 09.00 – Departure point
Hurley Lock 10.30
Hambleden Lock 12.00
Henley Town 13.30
Marsh Lock 16.00
Shiplake Lock 17.00
Sonning Bridge 18.00

Thursday 22nd July 2010
Sonning-on-Thames 09.00 – Departure point
Caversham Lock 10.30
Mapledurham Lock 12.30
Goring Lock 17.00
Moulsford 18.00

Friday 23rd July 2010
Moulsford 09.00 – Departure point
Benson Lock 10.15
Clifton Hampden Bridge 13.00
Culham Lock 16.15
Abingdon Bridge 17.30

Another Greenwich Peninsula path closure

Leigh Hatts — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:38:09 +0000

The main diversion on the Greenwich peninsula can be seen on a map.

However, soon there will also be an earlier diversion downstream on the east side of the peninsula.

After walking behind Greenwich Yacht Club and passing the Millennium Village you will have to turn inland round the back of the 17 storey City Peninsula development. The best map for this so far is on Mary Mills’ blog.

I would not normally say such a thing but if you want a pleasant walk it might be better to start at Greenwich itself this summer.

See pages 14 to 17.

Tower Bridge’s bale of straw

Leigh Hatts — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:01:58 +0000

A bale of straw has been hung from the Tower Bridge walkway.

See the story and picture on the London-SE1 website.

Convoys Wharf plans on show

Leigh Hatts — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:04:47 +0000

There has been a weekend consultation about Convoys Wharf in Deptford this weekend.

Liker all these ‘public consultations’ not much is given away and if you are off on Friday evening or Saturday morning you will have missed it.

Much local concern about what will replace the wharf where so much newsprint was landed until recently but the plans do include putting the Thames Path along the river. The downside is that walkers will not pass the Dog & Bell.

Plans go before Lewisham Council this autumn.

See page 19.

Olde Bell Hurley

Leigh Hatts — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 07:42:03 +0000

I think that I have mentioned before that it is difficult now to describe the Olde Bell at Hurley as a walkers’ pub.

Matthew Norman has reviewed it for the Telegraph.

See page 110.

Thames pubs in top 50

Leigh Hatts — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:15:40 +0000

Two pubs feature in today’s 50 Best Country Pubs in The Independent.

Both are at the source end: The Wild Duck at Ewen and Tunnel House Inn just beyond the Source and suddenly much featured here. The latter is under the Families section whilst the former is ‘for weekenders’.

More on Tunnel House pub

Leigh Hatts — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:19:10 +0000

Good pictures here of the path between the Thames Source and the Tunnel House recently featured in the Telegraph; see below.

Kingston Rowing Rector

Leigh Hatts — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:50:10 +0000

This Saturday 26 June Jonathan Wilkes will be at Tower Bridge at 9am ready to row upstream to Kingston-upon-Thames where he is the Rector.

He is being sponsored to help the funding for a visitor centre at All Saints Church near the river. Coffee and cake is already served in the church every weekday morning.

His supporters will be waiting at Richmond and some plan to jog along the towpath with him.

The Rector might reflect that in past times the Bishop of Winchester had a house near London Bridge and would be rowed by a team from there to Kingston where he continued by road to Winchester.

See pages 64 and 65.

Waterside Inn at Bray reviewed by Matthew Norman

Leigh Hatts — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:03:21 +0000

There has been much comment and delight at Matthew Norman’s review in The Telegraph of the Waterside Inn at Bray.

Fortunately the Thames Path is on the opposite bank and the ferry has long ceased to operate so one is not tempted to drop in for lunch. But walkers often wonder what it is like there. Bray is delightful even if the former pub is expensive.

Take a picnic when walking from Windsor to Maidenhead and enjoy it sitting on the seat opposite Bray and the former Greoge Inn.

See page 97.