London Loop - Section 9 (Kingston upon Thames to Hatton Cross)

Section 9 (Kingston upon Thames to Hatton Cross)

Description:

Easy walking, including some extensive green stretches. From Kingston Bridge you cross Bushy Park beside the Longford River, where you may see roe deer, and through the Woodland Gardens. Note that one particular area is subject to flooding in wet weather.

After a stretch along residential roads and beside golf courses you join the River Crane Walk through Crane Park, passing a historic shot tower, remains of gunpowder mills that once endangered this area. The Crane dives into a tunnel below the former railway marshalling yards at Feltham – eventually the route may continue through this area. For the moment, however, there is an opportunity to detour across Hounslow Heath, renowned for its past associations with highwaymen.

You rejoin the Crane on a well wooded path, which may be muddy and overgrown, through to the Great Southwest Road and the link to Hatton Cross station. Section 10 continues ahead with the river, but to reach it you must make a diversion of one kilometre (half a mile) as there is no pedestrian crossing over the A30 here.

Distance:

10 miles ( 16 km)

Start:

Kingston Bridge (GR 177-694)

Finish:

Hatton Cross (Great Southwest Road) (GR 105-757)

Recommended direction:

Southeast to northwest

Terrain and surface:

Entirely level, mostly on grass and rough footpaths. Sections in Bushy Park subject to flooding. One stile. 4.5km (2.8ml) beside roads

Signage:

Signage complete both ways

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs and cafes at Kingston, Hanworth Road and Hatton Cross. Pubs at Hampton Road and Staines Road. Public toilets in Bushy Park

Public transport and breakpoints:

Rail: Kingston, Fulwell
Tube: Hatton Cross
Buses: at these points and also Hampton Road, Staines Road, Great Chertsey Road, Hanworth Road, Staines Road, Great Southwest Road