Continuing
along Richmond Hill from the viewpoint you almost immediately come
to a busy junction.
The large building on our side of the road (see picture below) is
the Royal Star & Garter Home. This is a charity which looks after
ex-servicemen. When the home opened after the 1st World War the average
age of residents was in their early 20's - now the average age is
in the 80's.
The large gates opposite the home is the Richmond Gate entrance to
Richmond Park. This is the largest open space in London covering 2,500
acres. The park has royal connections going back to the 16th century
when Charles I populated the park with deer which are still there
today.
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We
are not going into Richmond Park today though. Passing the Royal Star
& Garter follow the pavement around the corner right. The road
descends but our way is a clear gravel path which veers away from
the road downhill into the trees.
(See picture below)
We follow this path to the bottom of the hill, soon crossing a service
road to the Royal Star & Garter Home.
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At the
bottom of the hill the path exits at the junction of the road from
the top of the hill, and the Petersham Road which we briefly followed
before forking up Richmond Hill.
Cross the Petersham Road and follow the road that has descended the
hill, into Petersham.
Follow the busy road through Petersham. You will see a park on your
left and pass "The Dysarts" public house on our side of
the road. |
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Ham
House Official Web Site |
About
50m after the road makes a sharp left hand bend, we turn right. There
is a sign indicating Ham House (pedestrian access) and Ham Polo Club.
An imposing arch is the start of an historic avenue to Ham House
Behind the arch is a long straight pathway (see picture above left).
An access road to Ham Polo club runs parallel to the path for some
way on the left, before crossing the path.
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The
avenue is about 1km long and dead straight, bringing you to the walls
of Ham House. The
path has to make a 90 degree left turn when it meets the wall. Follow
the path round. About 50m on your right look for another path on your
right through a narrow alley. A short cut path clipping the corner
we have just gone round comes back on the main path immediately opposite
the alley.
Go through the short alley. At the end turn right again and follow
the road towards the river for about 400m, before turning right into
the access road to Ham House clearly signposted.
You will come to the front of the house and have the view as in the
picture above. Ham House is part of the National Trust, so if you're
a member you're free to walk around.
Others have to pay. Do reference the Ham
House Official Web Site for background material, opening times
and admission fees. |
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