The most beautiful stretch of the river in London, and the most rural: water meadows, willows, rowing clubs and grand riverside houses, ending at the gates of Henry VIII's palace. Flat all the way, with pubs at every bend.
Upstream from Richmond, London's river changes character. The embankments give way to towpaths, cows graze Petersham Meadows, and the Thames slips quietly between wooded banks towards the countryside.
The Thames Path National Trail follows the river all the way from its source in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier; this is its loveliest London section. You pass Ham House, a 17th-century mansion run by the National Trust; Eel Pie Island and its boatyards; and Teddington Lock, the largest lock on the river, where the tidal Thames ends and the freshwater river begins. Beyond Kingston, the path runs along the edge of Home Park to Hampton Court Palace, its Tudor chimneys appearing through the trees.
It is a long day but an easy one. Cut it to 13 km by stopping at Kingston, or spend the afternoon in the palace and its maze.
Signed throughout as the Thames Path with an acorn symbol. The river is always on your right.
From the station walk down to the riverside and Richmond Bridge, the oldest surviving bridge over the Thames in London. Head upstream on the Surrey bank.
The path crosses the foot of Petersham Meadows, where cattle still graze below Richmond Hill: the view from the top is protected by an Act of Parliament.
Ham House stands in formal gardens right by the towpath. Opposite, a small foot ferry runs across to Marble Hill in Twickenham in season.
Teddington's locks and weir mark the tidal limit of the Thames. Footbridges cross to the Teddington bank and the Anglers pub.
Cross Kingston Bridge into the old market town. Stop here for a 13 km walk, or continue on the Hampton Court side of the river.
The path follows the long wall of Home Park to Hampton Court Bridge. The palace gates are just beyond, and the station is across the bridge.
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Richmond is on the District line, the Overground and South Western Railway from Waterloo. Hampton Court station has trains back to Waterloo; Kingston also has a station.
Parts of the towpath near Richmond flood at very high spring tides and after heavy rain. Check tide times for Richmond if the river is high.
The White Cross at Richmond, the Anglers at Teddington, and plenty in Kingston. Some riverside pubs close their terraces when the river floods.
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The Tamsin Trail round London's largest royal park.
Narrowboats from Little Venice to Camden Lock.
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Parliament Hill's skyline view, Kenwood and the ponds.
Ancient pollards, Connaught Water and High Beach.
Stepping stones, chalk slopes and a vineyard lunch.
London's two circular walks, a section at a time.
Wikimedia Commons photographs are used under their Creative Commons licences.
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