The Thames from Hampton Court to Sunbury Lock

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This stretch of the Thames is close to London but is relatively green, peaceful and beautiful.

 

Although there are only a few places on the Middlesex (North) bank where there is public access - mainly at Sunbury - you can walk, run or cycle the towpath on the Surrey (South) bank all the way from Hampton Court Bridge to Sunbury Lock and beyond.

 

But if you really want to see the river, get on the water. It’s a great stretch for kayaking, rowing, skiffing or messing around in a motor boat.

 

And wherever you are on this stretch there’s always something interesting to see. Hopefully, with this guide you’ll enjoy your time alongside, on or in the Thames even more - and learn something new.

 

comments, corrections and additions

This website is not even half-finished, and I’ll be adding new information to it every few days.

 

So if you spot any mistakes, or if you have any new information or old photos—or any comments, questions or memories about the places covered—please send me an email.

Here’s a sketch map. Click on one of the place names and it should take you to the right page on this site

And here’s a slightly fuzzy satellite image of the area from Google Earth. The island in the centre is Platts Eyot. You can click on some of the places on the map and be taken to the right place on this site

The virtual bull terrier

links

General
  • Yahoo weather report for Hampton, with 5 day forecast
  • Visit Thames - the Environment Agency's tourism guide: river maps; boat hire info; events diary
  • The River Thames Guide - detailed tourist information, including accommodation, holidays, walks, watersports, etc
  • Tagg's Island - includes houseboats for sale & rent, residents' association info, photos
  • Dave Raven's website including Tagg's Island photos and history
  • Teddington Lock - a lovely website run by a lock-keeper at the largest lock on the Thames
  • Tide tables for Richmond Lock for the next seven days
  • Environment Agency flood alerts
  • Rowing

  • Molesey Boat Club - excellent local rowing club with an international reputation; new members welcome
  • Sunbury Amateur Regatta - skiff, punt and dongola races, plus fireworks: 18 August 2007
  • Molesey Amateur Regatta - rowing races held in July
  • Sailing

  • Hampton Sailing Club - located on Benn's Ait at Hampton; new members welcome
  • Aquarius Sailing Club - located just upstream of Hampton Waterworks; new members welcome
  • Historical

  • Molesey History - a brilliant site with historic photos plus the full text of local history books covering many of the subjects on this website, including Tagg's Island, Hurst Park, houseboats, Fred Karno - and much more
  • The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships - features a database of ships surviving from the Dunkirk evacuation, including boats built at Platts Eyot
  • Metropolitan Water Board Railway - history, photos and route map of the Hampton waterworks railway line
  • Biography of Fred Karno
  • Frank Matcham Society - includes biography of the Karsino's architect
  • The Lutyens Trust - includes biography of Hampton Court Bridge's architect
  • Smoking and health

  • ASH - Action on Smoking and Health website. Info about consequences of smoking plus help on quitting