Kingston Station to Ham House Winter Walk
Enjoy a gentle winter walk from Kingston Station to Ham House and Garden with our trail. Enjoy a gentle 4.5 mile stroll along the river, learning some historical facts along the way.
Start:
Kingston Train Station
1
Arriving at Kingston Station, please head for the River. Walk through Canbury Gardens.
History
Canbury Gardens is a Victorian pleasure park opened on 8 November 1890, complete with regularly-used bandstand. It was created from an area of drained land, once a tract of marshes and osier beds (where willow was grown for basket making) with a towpath and barge cottage.
2
Continuing along the River out of the park, you will walk on a raised pavement on the opposite side of the road. After 400 yards, you will see the Half Mile Tree.
History
Here an elm tree has indicated the approximate distance to Kingston for well over 500 years. The tree you see today was planted in 1952.
3
Join the River path again – you have a choice of two, one a shared cycle path and the other, lower path is for pedestrians only. From here you can see the river homes opposite on Trowlock Island.
History
Trowlock Island is one of the 191 Thames Islands. The name 'trow' comes from a type of barge. The Island is accessed only via a tiny pedestrian chain-link ferry operated by hand. There is a small community of about 29 bungalows and the Royal Canoe club.
4
You will soon see Teddington Weir and its three locks.
History
Teddington lock is the largest of 45 lock systems on the river Thames. The depth to the maintained level at Richmond is 2.68 metres. The lock is operated 24 hours a day all year round.
5
Keep walking along the River path. You will notice common land next to you. It’s Ham Lands.
History
Ham Lands is a large area of grassland and scrub with diverse wildlife. The site was once extensively excavated for gravel, then back-filled over time with a variety of soil types from all over London. This has created a unique mix of different vegetation types attracting many butterfly and bird species. In spring, the site is full of hawthorn blossom and in the summer, the meadows support many different wild flowers.
6
Keep walking past a car parking area to a formal break in the trees to your right. This is your first glimpse of Ham House and Garden.
History
Walk through the wide grass avenue of lime trees, through Ham’s wildflower meadow to the imposing front gates. By walking this route, from the River, you are treading in the footsteps of your ancestors over 300 years ago. Welcome to Ham House and Garden.
End:
Ham House and Garden