You can’t beat a summer’s dog walk – particularly if it ends with a delicious pub lunch! That’s why the friendly team here at Green Lane Farm have created a six-part Surrey dog walking guide. The guide includes six walks, all of which are based in Surrey and begin and end at a local pub serving a range of lovely food.
The sixth, and final, instalment of our dog walking guide takes us to Marble Hill and Kew. The walk itself is 10.45 miles long (or 16.82 km) and should take approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete. The scenic walks include a short ferry ride across the Thames. Hammerton’s Ferry costs just £1 and operates from 10am to 5pm all week from March to October (in January and February it is weekends only and in November and December it is closed).
The walk starts and finishes at The Coach and Horses in Kew. Featuring contemporary design and a warm, friendly atmosphere, The Coach and Horses is a great pub for both a quick drink and a three-course meal. They serve rustic, locally sourced food, including pork belly, corn-fed chicken and an award-winning steak and ale pie. They also offer a fantastic Sunday menu and their terrace and rear garden is perfect for the dog!
Route:
- Park at The Coach and Horses (8 Kew Green, TW9 3BH). From here, follow Kew Bridge Road until you reach the river. Cross Kew Bridge and then turn left, going down a set of steps to Thames Path. Turn right and follow the path, passing a first set of steps before going up a second to emerge opposite The Musical Museum.
- Turn left onto High Street and then return to the riverside, before eventually going back to High Street via a set of steps. Turn left, passing a row of shops, and then turn left again onto Goat Wharf. When you get to the river, turn right and continue along the riverside until you again reach High Street.
- Go left on High Street. When you come to Dock Road, turn left and then follow Thames Path along the bank of the canal. Use the footbridge to reach the opposite bank and then pass under a railway arch and take the path.
- When you reach London Road, turn left and then take the pedestrian path to Syon Park. Here, you should proceed ahead, eventually following a gravel path which leads you to the park’s exit. Upon leaving the park, turn left and continue until you reach a bridge. Turn left onto the path which takes you to the river. When you see a No Through sign, turn right and then take a left onto Richmond Road. Turn left onto Railshead Road and then continue through the park and along Ducks Walk until you reach Richmond Bridge.
- Turn right at the bridge and then use the pedestrian crossing before turning left and returning to the river. Walk upstream along the towpath and continue until Marble Hill grounds begin to appear. You should then descend down a set of steps to reach the grounds. This is the halfway point of the walk. So find somewhere to rest and enjoy a nice break if you so wish!
- When you reach the entrance to the grounds, signed Marble Hill House, enter and take the main path. Continue, passing Marble Hill House on your left, until you arrive back at the towpath. Turn left. You will then come to Hammerton’s Ferry; take the ferry to the south bank of the Thames.
- Upon leaving the ferry, turn left along the towpath back to Richmond Bridge. Proceed straight ahead for roughly 2.5 miles, passing Twickenham Bridge, Richmond Lock and Old Deer Park on your way. Finally, you will reach Kew Bridge. Once you have passed the arch, turn right and head back to The Coach and Horses. It’s now time to treat yourself to a well-deserved drink or delicious meal. You could even save a spot of lunch for the dog!
