This was quite a local walk for me so I thought I would walk to the route. This time, unlike some recent attempts, I intercepted 12 walkers along the Long Water, making13 in all.

We proceeded through Bushy Park to the Pheasantry, where it was decided to make an early stop. Some had various refreshments, others just picnicked, and all but three sit-down lunchers headed off again at about 12.30.

The walk author led most of us on the suggested scenic route through the Waterhouse Plantation, which had had a severe haircut since I was last there. As luck would have it, this meant we dovetailed nicely with the other lunchers who took the more direct route.

Next we encountered the day's biggest challenge – a large waterlogged area, honestly wetter and deeper than the notorious water meadow on the way to St Albans - which resulted in some wet feet. The group straggled out a bit in the afternoon but mostly regrouped on our return to the Pheasantry (no more refreshments for the moment) and many stopped to photograph a large herd of deer we passed just before the way out of Bushy Park.

I think most of the group took advantage of the free entry to the palace gardens, and some even went to the palace itself. It was the first time I'd been to the part formerly open to the public since the mean-spirited so-and-sos at Historic Royal Palaces shut out the hoi polloi in 2020. Many flowers were emerging and two wicker knights had seemingly sprung from the earth like Myrmidons and were jousting with each other.

On the the formal gardens, which I had not visited for a good 30 years. They were very crowded but spectacular in the late afternoon sun (otherwise it had been mostly dull ). Finally we squeezed round the tennis court where some real tennis was going on. Three of us had tea in a cafe across the bridge which doesn't seem to have a name but Google Maps calls Five on the Bridge. I spotted four others on the 1622 train. Many thanks to Mr Tiger for spotting the open day opportunity – much appreciated.

Though tempted to bask in the credit, I feel duty bound to point out that it was the walk’s author who spotted the open days

Thanks for posting Sean, and flagging up the chance to visit HC Palace gardens free of charge. I did the walk today, as not available tomorrow. Bushy Park rich in bird life - nearly deafened by skylarks above their protected zone. Lion Gate to HCP not open, so access only via main gate. Gardens very fragrant, well worth a visit; NB whole site starts to close at 4pm.

I am planning on starting the walk 30 mins later if anyone wants a later start.

I am.approaching by bus .Hope to see you Jane

This bus is caught up in traffic so don't wait Will do the Gardens and then see if I can find route through Bushy to Pheasantry cafe Have a lovely time Jane

Literally hundreds got off at H C station. So many it took 10 minutes to get through the barrier. “Can’t all be going on the walk’ thought Mr Tiger, and he was right.

8 congregated outside, then made their way across the bridge with crowds cheering them on - or so they thought.

Turns out there was a half marathon going on - which explains all those annoying people running past us. And why they had numbers on. Mr Tiger was most disappointed to find that the “Come on Sweetie, you can do it” sign wasn’t for his benefit.

Eventually we shook them off, having to dart across their route at one point, and made our way though the two parks, with fish in the water and ducks on top. Not forgetting coots swans and herons. We had to stare down a couple of red deer but they were no match for us. There was a lunch stop at the Pheasantry, where the cherry trees were in flower. Then back to the Palace gardens for a protracted look round.

It was a dry cloudy day. Although rain had been forecast for later, it never quite happened.

We met another 4 walkers around the garden which brought the number up to 12

We done the whole works - anything we could get in for free, we done it. Real tennis court, Great Vine, formal gardens, we even done the maze. This, of course, was no match for SWC’s finest. The Wilderness was a highlight, with masses of daffodils in flower. Or, as Mr Tiger said “OK if you like daffs”. A few rounded off the day in the Tiltyard cafe where some had cream teas. Mr Tiger had a posh looking cake with flowers on it.

Sorry to miss the cream tea. Still stuck in the maze after 2 days 😅

14 The weather sunny hot A pleasant picturesque walk through two Royal Parks. Bushy Park,in particular, was full of resplendent stags bellowing away. The deer were noisy too. Also seen or heard were: parakeets, herons, a jackdaw, some BIG fish and dragonflies.

The lunch stop was the Pheasant Cafe where, because of the heat, some opted for the hugely expensive, and, to Mr Tiger’s palate, deeply unpleasant pale ale. Only halfs though. We’re not THAT rich.

After the lunch it was back round the park again. This gave Mr Tiger an opportunity to exercise his whinge muscles. The heat and the previous day’s walk had got to him.

One of our number had acquired some free passes to Hampton Court and some finished back there to avail themselves thereof. 5 went for the Hampton Wick ending, being more interested in the nearby Foresters Arms. Here, they plied Mr Tiger with cider and crisps till he could take no more.

I've just read that all suburban services out of Waterloo via Wimbledon are cancelled this morning because of a major signalling problem. So no trains to Hampton Court. I doubt if anyone will show up for this walk...

I'm heading to Dorking to do Dorking Circular, sort walk #274. Trains are running to Dorking via Victoria. Maybe see some of you en route.

6

fine and bright

Great walk in most enjoyable company.

Thank you to Sean for posting it.

Sounds good and light on mud post-melt. See you all there.

Eight off the train at Hampton Court and we picked up 1 other SWC stalwart in Hampton Court Park who was doing part of the walk and then going to see relatives in SW London so 9 in all. I know Hampton Court park fairly well as I was a student at Kingston Poly in the early 70s and spent many happy, and lets be frank, fairly drunken summer hours with friend there, and we quickly made our way to the pub at the Kingston entrance to the park which has now sadly closed so we decided to continue on to the Pheasantry cafe but with a couple of head-scratching moments over the directions en route.

After a decent lunch things got a bit weird! There is no gpx file for the walk so those with the written directions (not me) took over following the route and they became a bit confused with where we were and needed to get to regarding our position in relation to various cottages, plantations and other parkland features so after one bout of faffing around I and one other just decided to use gps to take a direct southerly route back to Hampton Court station -by-passing the Pheasantry cafe as a possible tea stop - where we bought tea and cake from the station cafe for the 3.30pm train back to London.

Perhaps those following the walk directions were having an off day but they certainly became somewhat confused by them. Perhaps inattention was to blame and the park has a myriad of tracks and paths you can take and writing directions for these can be difficult. I'm sure the others found a good route back to the Pheasantry for drinks and then back to the station. A gentle and pleasant day out but a gpx/kml download would make things a lot easier! Oh the weather: some rain at first then dull and dry .

(Some comments from the other walkers about the directions would be helpful.)

4 on this lovely walk. Sunny and warm all day. Lots of deer in both parks.

Thank you Sean.

4 sunny