Thames Path - Walton-on-Thames to Staines

Today was Day 1 of our 4-day walk along part of the Thames Path. We started at Walton-on-Thames station, headed to the river to join the Thames Path and walked along it to Staines. From here we took a train-replacement bus to Windsor, where we were staying for the next few nights.

This is how Joyce enticed us to do the walk with her....

"You can expect a varied walk. Some is urban and some is very rural. Sometimes we are pushed away from the river bank and climb a steeper bank for a view . There is history, railway lines, planes and Red Kites overhead, meadows, wide paths, bridges, Islands, a ferry, a castle, wildlife and much more. It’s a tow path but not like a canal tow path. The river is wide and the locks and weirs are fascinating works of engineering.

I am really looking forward to a change of scenery. Walk as much or as little as you like but do enjoy yourselves."

Sounds good... This was our route today.

Here are just a few of my photos.

Approaching the river.

D'Oyly Carte Island was sold for £3m last year. Read all about it here. I recognised it. I used to live about 3 miles from here in 1998-90 and  must have walked to here along the River Wey.

We took the Shepperton-Weybridge ferry. Here is Pam ringing the bell to summon it.

The ferry couldn't take us all so had to cross twice. This was the first boatload.

After a drinks stop at the excellent Ferry Coffee Shop, we carried on along the north side of the river. Have all the cats been herded?

The river splits here with several islands. I think this is Hamhaugh Island on the left.

There are lost of interesting houses by the river in Shepperton... and some pretty daffodils.

Willow trees are a lovely colour right now.

The second of the many locks we would pass... Chertsey Lock, was full of boats.

Another feature of the early part of our walk was loud unfamiliar birdcalls... of feral parakeets!

Our walk today was primarily suburban and we enjoyed seeing the houses by the river.

Oh I love the spring blossom.

Another lock, this time empty... Penton Hook lock.

Nearing Staines now...

 

That green spire is where we are heading.

It's St. Mary and St. Peter's church, and the end of out stretch of the path today.

Then it was on to Windsor, settling into our hotel and then a group evening meal at the Royal Windsor.

What a great day, living up to the billing - so much to see - and such great company too... and another three days to come.

You can see a lot more of my photos here on Flickr and more details of our route here on MapMyWalk.