1 min read

Rotherhithe Church: 300th anniversary

This Friday 3 July 2015 there are celebrations to mark the  300th anniversary of St Mary’s Church at Rotherhithe which opened in 1715. There had been a church there before. The present one stands on medieval foundations incorporating Roman bricks. The Thames Path passes along the north side of the church and churchyard which has the tomb […]

Written by

Leigh Hatts
3 min read

Magna Carta weekend: riverside events

Monday 15 June 2015 is the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta being sealed by King John on Runnymede next to the River Thames. In the morning the Queen is attending a ceremony on the meadow which now has a marquee erected in case of bad weather. Her Majesty is being joined by Prince Philip, the […]

Written by

Leigh Hatts
2 min read

Reading diversion

The diversion at Reading looks likely to remain in place until the autumn. Not only is the towpath closed for building of a new bridge across to Christchurch Meadows but the passage under Reading Bridge remains close whilst the structure is repaired. Traffic is crossing the river again as reported on the regional TV stations […]

Written by

Leigh Hatts
1 min read

Magna Carta stamp

Tuesday 2 June 2015 sees the issue of a special postage stamp to mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta being agreed on the banks of the Thames at Runnymede. The place to get the ‘authentic’ postmark, rather than the official one, must be Egham Post Office. The stamp is issued on the 62nd anniversary of the […]

Written by

Leigh Hatts
1 min read

Grass and trees to go for Garden Bridge

This may be the last summer to enjoy the grass and trees on the Thames Path as it passes along the South Bank in front of the ITV studios between Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridges. Here the path is under a lovely canopy of trees but this is the very spot where the Garden Bridge is […]

Written by

Leigh Hatts
2 min read

Henry I in Reading

There are moves to find the body of Henry I who is buried in Reading. The main report is in The Daily Telegraph. Henry I was the son of William the Conqueror and brother of William II. Henry died in France on 1 December 1135 and his body was buried a month later, on 4 […]

Written by

Leigh Hatts
1 min read

Best teashops on Thames Path

The Sunday Times list of 20 top teashops complied by baker Louise Johncox includes two on the Thames Path. The feature in the magazine recommends The Maids of Honour at Kew, famous for its secret recipe Tudor tarts. Also highlighted is Burgers at Marlow which for many is the natural place for tea after a day’s walk.

Written by

Leigh Hatts
3 min read

David Sharp RIP

Thames Path pioneer David Sharp has died at the age of 89. David Sharp, a superb draughtsman, artist and writer, lived yards from the River Thames in Barnes. He was responsible for the look of Ramblers’ Association (as The Ramblers was known) and Open Spaces Society publications but his lasting legacy is the Thames Path. […]

Written by

Leigh Hatts
1 min read

Tudor Pull 2015

The Tudor Pull today Saturday 16 May 2015 will see Thames Watermen’s cutters rowed down the Thames from Hampton Court Palace to the Tower of London.  Craft include the Royal Barge. More details on the London SE1 website.

Written by

Leigh Hatts
1 min read

A Bridge Too Far

Letter in The Daily Telegraph 12 May 2015 SIR – The problem with London’s proposed garden bridge (Letters, May 8) is the location. Its trees would obstruct the splendid views of the towers of the City of London and the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, seen from all the way across Waterloo Bridge and Hungerford […]

Written by

Leigh Hatts