Our walk now follows the River Thames to Teddington.
At the main gates of Ham House with your backs to the house, walk
across the grass lawn in front of you. In about 100m you will come
to the River Thames.
If the ground is wet, an alternative route is to go back down the
access road of Ham House and turn right to the car-park, which is
next to the river.
At this spot by the river there is a historic ferry across the river.
Documentary evidence of its existence goes back to 1652, when there
were many ferries all along the river. The ferry is little more than
a large rowing boat and only runs at the height of the season.
If its running, you could use it to cross over to Twickenham and catch
the Richmond to Hampton Court bus.
We turn left along the tow path of the River Thames, past the car-park
of Ham House.
You can now go on auto pilot for 25 minutes as we follow the tow path
to Teddington Lock.
The path is surprisingly rural in nature, it is the opposite bank
which holds civilisation. The opposite bank is an endless parade of
riverside houses and boatyards. Keep a lookout for cyclists on the
towpath though.
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Within a few hundred metres we come across Eel Pie Island. The connecting
bridge is on the Twickenham side hidden from view. You'll see boatyards
and some private houses, at the southern tip is a small bird sanctuary.
There was once a hotel. In the sixties and early seventies, a major
music venue. Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Pink Floyd and Genesis are
just a few who have appeared.
The area to our left is in stark contrast and a kind of wilderness.
Before the second world war, there were quarries here. |
Thames
Tow Path Outside Ham House |
There are still lagoons today where the pits once were. After the
war, much rubble from the destruction of the blitz was used to fill
in the quarries. Today it is has just been left as a kind of managed
wilderness. The lagoon area is used extensively for sailing and the
Thames Young Mariners base here is an outdoor activities centre serving
young people from Richmond, Hammersmith and Fulham. Recently they
had a windfall of a £90,000 award from the lottery.
Eventually we arrive at Teddington Lock. Teddington Lock marks the
end of the tidal flow of the River Thames.
The lock is very busy and it won't be long before you see it being
raised or lowered. |
Just pass the lock is a footbridge built in 1888/9 that replaced a
ferry. Two footbridges of different designs meet on the island at
Teddington. The bridge spanning the river from the Teddington bank
to the island is a suspension bridge, while the shorter structure
crossing from the Ham bank has a girder design. We cross the river
using the bridge.
When you're on the bridge you will see Teddington Weir below, which
will occupy your attention. By the weir on the Teddington side, the
large buildings are television/film studios. These studios used to
be a home for Thames Television before they lost the London TV franchise
for commercial television. Now the studios are run independently.
Recent productions have included "The Office", and "Pop
Idol". Further back Errol Flyn began his film career here.
On the opposite side of the bridge are two public houses. (There is
a further range of refreshment options in a few minutes in Teddington). |
Teddington Bridge
Teddington Lock |
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