RIVERSIDE RAMBLE AND CHISWICK HOUSE

PLEASE NOTE that there are 2 exits from Kew Gardens Station.... Accessed by either a walkway over or a subway under the line. If you find yourself looking at the Pagoda Cafe, you're at the wrong exit !....We're meeting at the Main exit, at a pub right next to the exit called 'The Tap on the Line' - whilst we leave no later than 11.30am I'll be there from about 10.45am so if anyone wants to come along a bit early for a coffee/beer/social before the walk, please do, (sitting outside weather permitting!)..... Look forward to seeing you then....
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Passing the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, we’ll learn some of the secrets of ST. ANNE 'S CHURCH (dating from 1714) before crossing Kew Bridge to walk along STRAND-ON-THE-GREEN into the Strand which was just a small fishing community until the great Royal Court era of mid 18th century.

We’ll then visit the landscaped gardens of the beautiful Palladian Villa, CHISWICK HOUSE, built in the 1720’s, where we’ll have a break for refreshments and have the opportunity to visit the 19th century Conservatory and optional visit to Chiswick House. ( see above info).

On leaving the gardens, we take an ancient right of way to ST. NICHOLAS' CHURCH with its 15th century tower, and Chiswick Old Burial Ground with grisly stories of CROMWELL and where several well-known people are buried, including the 18th century artist, WILLIAM HOGARTH, his wife and mother-in-law who lived nearby at Hogarth House (now a museum).

Continuing our walk and admiring the handsome houses facing south across the river, we’ll learn some of the stories of perhaps the finest - elegant WALPOLE HOUSE, whose occupants have included the mistress of Charles II, the Duchess of Cleveland, William Thackeray and relations of Sir Robert Walpole.

Passing the 18th century Old Ship pub, we glimpse ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL, founded in the shadow of St Paul’s Cathedral in the City in 1512, moved to Hammersmith in 1884 and to this site in 1968.

After the next stretch of the river, which offers the best sailing on the tidal part of the Thames, and is roughly the half way stage of the Oxford/Cambridge boat race, we pass the delightful Georgian KELMSCOTT HOUSE, designer WILLIAM MORRIS's London home from 1877 til his death in 1896 and I’ll share some stories of his famous and infamous neighbours.

After walking through Furnivall Gardens we’ll be stopping at a riverside pub for well deserved refreshment……. It’s only then a short walk into Queen Caroline Street, to the flyover and the subway to Hammersmith Bus and Underground Station

Jacquelyn mob: 0785 793 1296