Top outdoor retailer, Hi-Tec hopes to inspire city dwellers to put on their walking boots and escape London’s chaos by selecting three top walks to be enjoyed in and around the city this summer.
Jubilee travel drama gave some prelude as to how crowded and congested
trains, tubes and roads might be over the coming weeks, and so Hi-Tec is
keen to remind those living in the city that there are options for
escape during London’s busiest summer in history.
The recommended walks start at Osterley Park, Richmond Hill and Morden
Hall Park; locations that have been selected because Londoners will be
able to use some of the less-congested transport routes to get to them
during the Games.
Osterley Park
Perfect for relaxing picnics and family strolls, Osterley Park is one of
the last surviving country estates in London and its grounds offer a
welcome retreat from urban life. Due to the flat landscape and carefully
positioned lakes and trees, a stroll in the park will involve many
beautiful views of the house, most impressively the view across the
tranquil expanse of Middle Lake.
Where to walk: A loop can be followed from the main car park; take
‘Nine-Acre Path’ in the north-east corner of the park, through farmland,
passing the Second World War rifle range, Middle Lake, Queen Victoria’s
Golden Jubilee Lodge and head back past Osterley House, where you can
stop to visit the house and tearooms if you wish.
How to get there: Bus routes H28 or H19 run near the house. The nearest
train station is Isleworth (1.5 miles from Osterley) or use Osterley
Underground via the Piccadilly line. By bike follow London Cycle Network
routes 101 and 102.
Richmond Hill
The iconic view from Richmond Hill, down towards the River Thames, is
the only view in England to be protected by an Act of Parliament. A
rewarding circular route links Ham House and Garden with Richmond
Station.
This walk will ease your mind as you leave the hustle and bustle of
Richmond town centre behind you to take in the glorious view from the
Hill, admire the grand 17th century Ham House and stretch your legs
along the Thames for a river stroll home.
Where to walk: It’s possible to plan a route from Richmond Station
walking from the high street to Richmond Hill, past the Royal Star &
Garter into Richmond Park grounds. Through the grounds, past King
Henry’s Mound (another viewpoint) and leaving the park onto Petersham
Road, through Ham Avenues to Ham House, and returning to the station via
the Thames Path.
How to get there: Train or tube to Richmond Underground/Overland
Station. Bus routes alight at Richmond Station/the Quadrant. Cycle
Network 4 passes near Ham House.
Morden Hall Park
Taking in a historic stable yard, snuff mill and rose garden, a walk
through Morden Hall Park will take you far away from modern day city
life and back in time to an era reminiscent of Britain’s agricultural
and industrial heyday. There are opportunities to spot wildlife along
the River Wandle and see the watermills that generated the park’s
fortune from drying and grinding tobacco into the fine powder, known as
‘snuff’.
Where to walk: Plot your own circular walk taking in the river, the water mills, the rose garden and the meadows or wetlands.
How to get there: Several buses stop close to the Park from Sutton,
Mitcham and Wimbledon. The Tramlink runs between Wimbledom, Mitcham,
Croydon and Beckham Junction, alight at Phipps Bridge for the southern
side of the Park. The Northern Line will take you to Morden Underground
station (0.75 miles away) and Morden South station via national rail is
0.5 miles from the park. By bike take National Cycle Network Route 22,
which incorporates The Wander Trail.
For details on other walking destinations in the UK, visit Hi-Tec’s Inspiring Walks gallery at www.hi-tec.com/inspiring-uk-walks/ .
No comments:
Post a Comment