Wimbledon Park to Richmond: 7.0 miles (11.3 km)
Leaving Wimbledon Park District Line Station, the route very quickly leads into Wimbledon Park itself. Part of the original Common and home to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, this lovely open space hosts a boating lake, the very pretty waterfall gardens adorned on this occasion with a Rose laden gazebo, and an Athletics stadium. Taking the Queensmere road to leave the park behind, a short climb past striking apartment blocks, brings the path onto the A219 with Putney Heath straight across. Taking a broad path through this charmingly peaceful wooded section of the Heath leads out onto Wimbledon Common to pass by the famous Windmill (built in 1817), Museum and Tea Room.
Hovering on the borders of both Merton and Wandsworth, the path now fully continues onto Putney Heath and a variety of wooded, compacted dirt paths negotiating the London Scottish Golf Club fairways. Skirting the tip of Queen Mere, the War Memorial and gardens, the track arrives at Beverley Brook and a tempting footbridge to cross. Carrying on past the expansive Richardson Evand Playing fields strewn with Rugby and football pitches, brings the path eventually up to the A3 Kingston Bypass, and aided by the Pegasus crossing, on into Richmond Park via the Robin Hood Gate entrance.
Securely now within the Richmond Borough, the trail crosses Richmond Park, which is still owned by the Crown and the Royal Parks Agency and almost 3 miles square. Continuing straight ahead with Spankers Hill Wood to the right and passing a refreshment kiosk to the left, takes the path down through low lying Pen Ponds and on uphill towards Sidmouth Wood. Much work has been done relaying this path to suit all travellers and walkers. Following the gravel lane alongside the wood, adorned with many beautiful veteran oaks which extensively grow throughout the parkland, the path leads into annexed Petersham Park.
Spectacular views of West London can be enjoyed whilst descending down hillside to the Petersham Gate taking a respite to visit Pembroke House and King Henry’s Mound. Having arrived in Petersham the path now leads through Petersham Meadows to finally join the Thames Path National Trail, the beautiful bucolic riverside path which forms the final leg into Richmond. Unmistakable 18th Century Richmond Bridge, appears into view and the restored procession of dwellings and substantial residences that form the heart of Richmond. Reaching Friars Lane brings a close to this section of the Capital Ring and for me personally, the completion of this great 78 mile trail!
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