Richmond to Ham House

© Automobile Association 2006. © Crown Copyright Licence Number 399221

Getting to the start

The Watermans Arms is in Water Lane, a cobbled street that runs between the main post office and the river. It is approached via Red Lion Street in the town centre's one-way system. Richmond Riverside car park is just to the west of Water Lane.

1 From Water Lane head down the hill to the riverside. Wheel your bike along to Richmond Bridge. Beyond the bridge the tow path runs alongside a narrow strip of parkland parallel with Petersham Road. Soon Buccleugh Gardens is reached and the path moves briefly inland.

2 The path returns towards the river to skirt the edge of Petersham Meadows. Continue straight ahead at the River Lane slipway. This section of the path can be slightly rough.

3 At Hammerton's Ferry head inland across the boardwalk. Take the bridleway which runs alongside Ham House. At the end of the first section bear diagonally right to pick up Melancholy Walk. Look at the view back to the house behind you, then cross Sandy Lane and continue straight on till the path emerges at Ham Common.

4 Turn right at Ham Common and keep straight ahead along Lock Road. At the end turn right into Broughton Avenue, left into Simpson Road and left into Hardwicke Road. Follow the cycle signs for the alleyway to reach Riverside Drive and the approach to Teddington Lock.

5 At the footbridge turn right and join the riverside path. Pass the locks which mark the limit of the tidal Thames. Soon you come to Thames Young Mariners Base; cross the bridge here and enter the Ham Lands Nature Reserve. Ham House is once again revealed, just past Eel Pie Island.

6 From Ham House return to Richmond via your outward route.