A Rambler's Weekend in SW London

South West London boasts some wonderful spaces where the visiting rambler can indulge their passion in miles of open space. A quick train or tube journey will rapidly transfer the avid walker from the centre of London into some very green and pleasant lands where you can walk in mile upon mile of natural parkland and take in some pretty spectacular scenery along the way. So, just don your best walking boots and leave central London for say Hampton Court or Twickenham and take up the trail.

Thames Path

Pick up the Thames Path in Hampton (close to Hampton Court Station and head along the river toward Hampton Court Palace) where ramblers can be assured of a stunning vista. There is plenty of river scenery to take in amongst the weirs, the ancient buildings and the river craft. Sooner or later you will arrive in the old market town of Kingston-upon-Thames where you can get some refreshments – there will be plenty of choice! Continuing on the riverbank walkers will pass through Teddington and then Twickenham where they will pass a glut of riverside views including houseboats, gardens, riverbank houses and quiet English rurality.

Syon Park

A brief detour from the Thames path at Twickenham will take you to Syon Park and the beautiful Syon House - the London home of the Duke of Northumberland and his family. The house, which has stood for some 500 years, contains grand classical interiors and a fine collection of art and sculpture and is well worth a look round. The same applies to the almost 600 year old gardens and orchards of Syon Abbey. Through the earliest botanical collection in the country to the parkland landscape of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown the Park has always led the way in horticultural innovation. There are over four hundred species of trees in the collection, including many rare and unusual specimens.

Richmond Park

The onward journey along the Thames Path will take the walker to Richmond where the Tide Table Cafe provides ample refreshment for body and soul beneath Richmond Bridge. If more rambling is preferred to an immediate stop-over at one of Richmond’s reasonable hotels) leave the river path, cross Richmond Bridge and walk up the hill (and past Mick Jagger’s house) where you can enter the park through the Richmond Gate.

Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London (1,000 hectares/2,500 acres big), and home to 650 deer. This is a largely wooded landscape of hills and woodlands set amongst ancient trees, with plants, animals and butterflies and offers a perfect walk through a natural reserve encompassing much flora and fauna. The stars of the show are definitely the deer (both Fallow and Red) and to see a fully-grown stag up front and personal is a sight to behold. The Isabella Plantation, an organic woodland garden, is also not to be missed. For eating, choose from Pembroke Lodge, a Georgian mansion with spectacular views and garden seating, Roehampton Café or refreshment kiosks located at main car parks.

If you have managed all the suggested rambles you will be by now fully deserving of an overnight somewhere in close by Richmond, Sheen or Barnes

Wimbledon Common

For Day 2 of your outdoor odyssey in southwest London we recommend a trip to Wimbledon Common and Canizzaro Park which could be a short taxi trip from your lodgings. Wimbledon Common consists mainly of a plateau of acidic grassland, the most notable area being The Plain. Its very flat and consists of heathland and bogs and the land falls away to the west down through the other main habitat, mature woodlands, to Beverley Brook, where there is a predominance of the famous London clay. Refreshments can be found at the Windmill Café or one of the many well known hostelries like the Dog and Fox or the Hand in Hand in Wimbledon Village. For ramblers seeking a little horticultural elegance Canizzaro Park lies close by.

London Wetlands

If you have any more energy left we recommend reacquainting yourself with the river in nearby Barnes at the WWT London Wetland centre. Tucked into one of the ‘loops’ of the Thames, Wetland Centre is an urban oasis for wildlife and people: a place of calm and beauty only a hope and a skip from London’s centre. Voted the UK’s Favourite Nature Reserve by readers of Country File magazine, it is perfect for a ramble along meandering wetland paths through lakes, meadows and gardens. You will not be alone for the Centre is sanctuary for wild ducks, wading birds, butterflies, bats, amphibians and water voles. Water birds abound and a family of otters are regular performers around teatime.

If you have managed to complete this all of the incredible destinations suggested you will doubtless be feeling a little fatigued and it might well be time to head on back to the inner city where a hop on the train at nearby Barnes Station will have you back in the metropolis before you know it. On the other hand if you do find a little more energy just get on the river-bank and head for the lights – but you might well need a torch by the time you get to your destination.