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This Week's Walks - Archive

Please see the Saturday Walker's Club This Week's Walks page.

This is an archive of walks done by the Saturday Walker's Club. You should only need to use this page if the SWC website is down.

Wednesday 28 February 2018

County Hall to Putney via Tate Britain and Battersea Park: a mud-free walk beside the River Thames

London County Hall to Putney, with option to continue westwards

Length: County Hall to Putney along the Thames: 10 km (6.2 miles)

Toughness: 1 out of 10    But hard on the feet (hard surfaces all day) so suggest well cushioned trainers instead of walking boots. And wrap up well - it will be very cold, with a cutting wind

The distance we walk today will depend on weather conditions. As we head westwards the underground stations are all "above ground" and they are likely to be affected by any inclement weather.

Meet on the Embankment by County Hall on the southern side of the River, near the Aquarium, by the Pret coffee shop, at 11 am.

I was planning to do this mud-free walk alone today, but noting the concern of some over the prospects of travel disruption on Southern Rail, SWC walkers are welcome to join me. But that said, I hope those adventuring to Eastbourne make it there and back without train cancellations or delays, and fingers crossed, you have a wonderful day's walking along the southern coast.

For City walkers, we will start today's walk by County Hall. A pleasant leg southwards along the Albert Embankment takes us to Lambeth Bridge, which we cross, and head for Tate Britain, which some might like to visit, A new exhibition starts today: "Bacon, Freud and a Century of Painting Life".  A bit pricey at £ 19-50 (free for Tate Members) and it might be booked up. But no matter, there is still the "Impressionists in London" exhibition on, which I am told is well worth viewing. Those stopping at the Tate should afterwards continue the few hundred metres up the road to the Morpeth Arms for lunch. This pub is one of my Pimlico watering holes and it serves honest, unpretentious pub grub, and an excellent pint of Youngs bitter.
Those by-passing the Tate are best advised to wait until you reach Putney before stopping at one of its many pubs for a late(ish) lunch. Or you could stop earlier at a pub in Battersea.
After the Tate we pass Vauxhall Bridge and head along the north bank for Chelsea Bridge, which we cross, to then walk through Battersea Park. Westwards then, on the southern bank of the river, at times inland and at times bedside the Thames, to Wandsworth and into Wandsworth Park. A short walk through the park takes us to Putney Bridge.
Those wanting a longer walk (if weather conditions permit) can continue along the Thames Path to Hammersmith Bridge (2.8 km -1.7 miles). Or on to Barnes Bridge (a further 2.7 km - 1.6 miles).

Travel Back to Central London   District Line from Putney Bridge. Buses. Riverboat from Putney Pier to Westminster Pier. T=swc.282







2 comments:

Marcus said...

n=3 of us on a w=very-cold-but-bright-day-with-sunny-spells. The compacted snow under foot was treacherous at times but we just managed to stay upright as we walked along the Thames path.
We stopped early on at Tate Britain to visit the "Impressionists in London - French Artists in Exile" exhibition - most enjoyable, and recommended (it's on until 07 May).
A very pleasant luncheon followed at one of my locals, the Morpeth Arms - and then it was back out into the cold and occasional snow flurries to continue our walk. We all enjoyed the walk along this section of the Thames path which took us into parks as well as hugging the riverside beside new flats developments. On reaching Putney we stopped for tea at a Wetherspoons pub before we headed for Putney's stations for transport home.
An invigorating walk.
Those that stayed at home missed a good winters walk.

Marion said...

I nearly joined you yesterday but was seduced by the offer of a lunch with friends. Its a really good idea to have an alternative relaxing shorter walk option as proved by the Petts Wood short walk last Saturday when 20 walkers were very happy not to be travelling to the Cotswolds.