Our May walk is on Sunday 21 May 2017. Let’s go for a lovely walk along the river Thames, visit the gardens of Chiswick House, enjoy the views from Hammersmith Bridge and explore a Leg of Mutton… (No, that’s a nature reserve, not Sunday Roast)

On our walk we will take some time to explore the gardens and conservatory of Chiswick House. The kitchen gardens are not normally open to the public, but it will be open day on the day of our walk.

Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions. Take a backpack, if you are interested in purchasing Kitchen Garden produce, herbs or plants. All funds raised support the continued preservation of Chiswick House Gardens. Click here for more information about Chiswick House Gardens. http://chgt.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=93

Hogarth’s fans can pay a visit to his grave at Chiswick churchyard, which we will pass along the route. http://www.stnicholaschiswick.org/heritage/churchyard

Will you join us on this walk?

How to get there:

We will meet at 10.15 am at Denmark Hill to get 10.27 am Overground train to Clapham Junction. From there, we will get the 11.00 am train in the direction of Woking, which should arrive at Barnes Bridge station at 11.11 am.

You can either meet us at Denmark Hill at 10.15 am, or you can join us somewhere along the way or at Barnes Bridge. Please take note of my mobile 078 078 3456 4, just in case you can’t find us!

If you prefer, you could drive to Barnes Bridge and park up there, as this is a circular walk. Just make sure you will let me know if that is what you plan to do!

Terrain and length of the route:

The route is about 6 miles/ 9 kilometres, but might be slightly longer as we wander around Chiswick House gardens.

This walk mostly follows the river banks and is fairly flat.

Toilets, food/drinks & what to bring:

I suggest we bring a pick-nick and enjoy our lunch outside, but if the weather isn’t very attractive for eating outside, Chiswick House has a nice café and we will pass some nice pubs too.

Don’t forget to bring something to drink for on the way.

This walk will happen in any weather, unless it is unsafe, so bring your waterproofs and (preferably waterproof) shoes with a good grippy profile.

I am optimistic about the weather and have a reputation to uphold, so I am counting on sunny weather, so don’t forget to bring a sunhat/cap and sunscreen too.

Who can join?

Anyone who can comfortably walk 9 km.

If you have ever walked with us at Silverfit Burgess park, and you are comfortable walking in the medium/social walking group speed you will be fine, and if you walk with me in any of our Fit and Happy Outdoors walks, you will be totally fine too.

Feel free to bring a friend or family member, with or without poles. Nordic Walkers or not, that doesn’t matter, as long as they are Fit (enough) and Happy! 😊

Are you a Nordic walker but don’t have your own poles? Would you like to borrow some from me? Text me on 078 078 3456 4 and I will bring you some.

Cost:

£10 or, if you are one of our regular Fit and Happy Outdoors walkers, one stamp on your 10 session card.

If you are genuinely poverty stricken- £5

(Train tickets and food or drinks at café not included)

How can I sign up?

Please sign up through our Meetup page at least 24 hours before the walk starts.

If you are not very computer minded, you can text me on 078 078 3456 4. Please include your full name and how many of you would like to join. Also, if you’d like to borrow some of my poles, please make sure to text me! I have a limited supply of poles, so first come, first serve!