Route Section

London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP)

Section 8 (Bourne Hall Park, Ewell to Kingston upon Thames)

Description:

One of the 'bluest' sections of the Loop, shared with the Hogsmill Walk, whose leaflet is written north-south (useful if walking the Loop anticlockwise).

It mostly follows the Hogsmill River, which rises at the ponds in Bourne Hall Park, where this section starts (signed link from Ewell West station). You may catch sight of all manner of river life, including with luck a water vole or a kingfisher.

The first 3.5km (2.2ml) run close beside the Hogsmill, with a short boardwalk where it passes under a railway bridge. At Tolworth Court Bridge the Bonesgate Stream comes in from the left, bringing with it the Thames Down Link to share the remainder of this section.

At Old Malden and Berrylands the river is currently inaccessible and you must divert along residential roads. At the point where the river passes under the A3 dual carriageway, you must divert 200m to and from a subway. There is a signed link with Malden Manor station, and the route passes Berrylands station.

The road walk from Berrylands is rather tedious at present, until more of the river becomes accessible, but you are rewarded at Kingston with a fascinating array of historic buildings in the old market place. The River Thames marks the end of this section, and you briefly join the Thames Path National Trail to Kingston Bridge, where a signed link leads to Kingston station.

Boroughs which the route passes through:

Kingston upon Thames

Distance:

7.3 miles ( 11.7 km)

Start:

Ewell (Bourne Hall Park, GR 219-628)

Finish:

Kingston Bridge (GR 177-694)

Recommended direction:

South to north

Terrain and surface:

Level (short ramps at subway under A3). Mostly hard surface with some short grassy stretches. No stiles. 4.7km (2.9ml) beside roads

Signage:

Complete both ways

Temporary Diversions:

None

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs and cafes at Ewell, Berrylands and Kingston. Pubs at Old Malden Lane and Villiers Road, Kingston. Public toilets at Ewell (Bourne Hall Park) and shopping centres in Kingston

Public transport and breakpoints:

Rail: Ewell (East and West), Malden Manor, Berrylands, Kingston
Buses: at points above plus Ruxley Lane, Kingston Road, Malden Way

Links with other walks:

Hogsmill Walk, Thames Down Link, Thames Path National Trail

Map required:

Explorer 161 (route marked)

Principal promoters:

London Walking Forum, Epsom & Ewell DC, RB Kingston

Access information:

The whole section is level, but lengthy stretches are on rough ground or grass, which may be difficult in wet weather.

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