Unfortunately cant make the walk..but suggest take short walk #7 start - which avoids the often narrow pavement along the high street to the river.

"Coming out of Richmond station, turn left for 50 metres to cross over the main road (The Quadrant) via a zebra crossing. Turn right for 12 metres to then turn left along an alleyway. In 40 metres at a T-junction with Parkshot turn left. After 70 metres you reach the corner of Little Green, which you cross in a diagonal direction along a tarmac path, your direction west. After 100 metres cross over a road, to continue in the same direction diagonally across Richmond Green. Half way across the Green where the path forks, take the right hand fork towards the far corner of the Green. At the far corner of the Green, turn half right to go down Old Palace Lane. After 300 metres at a T-junction with the Thames Path, turn left along the bank of the Thames, following the Thames Path. "

Hoping to attend which hostelry?

jfk

Cracking good fun...a mini-safari on the doorstep of Central London! Six familiar faces gathered more or less at the appointed time and wanting to maximize the daylight in the park set off directly towards Richmond Hill where we were soon caught by a 7th....We enjoyed the iconic view down to the river in the setting sun before eventually entering the park and heading towards Pembroke Lodge where we were greeted by our first group of deer of the evening....we turned left more deeply into the park following the Capital Ring and soon encountered a large number of deer of all sizes, including a few stags with rather handsome looking racks...there was quite a chorus of bellowing and related noises (which, in the near darkness, was somewhat eerie) as we approached Pen Ponds where we were treated to a 3/4 moon sparkling in the water...We then turned right to head ultimately back towards the river....Although nearly dark, the moon did provide quite a bit of light and the paths were generally clear, except a short distance along one that was a bit narrow and muddy going down the escarpment....We eventually joined the river and continued back into Richmond where one suggested the White Cross on the riverbank for post walk food and drink...In the pub, we met one more regular who had started late and had done a modified version of the route up to Pembroke Lodge and back....I think everyone had a meal (and all seemed satisfied); then decided we were enjoying ourselves so much, we all had another drink and caught various forms of transport just before 10pm...So, to conclude, 8 in total under clear skies with some moonlight ...

ps: would suggest doing about 2 weeks earlier to have more light to admire the magnificent beasts of Richmond Park....

Can meet others for the walk at Richmond Station 1pm

Hello ! I plan to join the walkers group tomorrow May 6th for the Bank Holiday Afternoon Walk – A stroll through Richmond Park. Someone else is going ? If yes, let´s join at the Richmont station at 1pm. See you ;-)

My name is Cecile-

Hello. I would also like to join this walk - where shall we meet at Richmond Station?

Many thanks,

Selina

As it says in the first para, meet upstairs in the foyer. It won't be difficult to identify a group of fellow-walkers but wave a copy of the walk directions about if you like.

Aim to get there by 1pm but please wait for the Reading-bound train to arrive at 6 minutes past, as some people will be on that.

PS. If you haven't tried one of these SWC group walks before, a short urban walk like this is a good way to start. New faces are always welcome. Please bear in mind, though, that this isn't a "led" walk like you'd get from the Ramblers. If you want to wander off after a while and do your own thing, that's fine. The FAQ page will give you an idea of what to expect.

On a cool cloudy windy but dry sort of day up to 14 walkers made their way around Richmond Park, including a group of newcomers. Some of the regulars flitted in and out but a hard core of 10 or 11 decided that studying the directions was unnecessary when someone with a map (le chef malgré lui) gave a passable impression of knowing where he was going.

We took considerable liberties with the author's directions, but with the bonus of being able to admire three of the Great Trees of London (a stone pine off Richmond Green, the Richmond Riverside Plane and the Richmond Royal Oak in the park). In addition there were a couple of handkerchief trees in the Isabella Plantation in their brief flowering phase, and although the Kurume azaleas weren't quite fully out the variety of colours was still stunning.

Possibly unintentionally the group concurred with the tentative suggestion of an extra stretch alongside Beverley Brook, which had to be followed by a yomp across a tussocky hillside to get back on track at Pen Ponds. A belated and somewhat pricy tea in the admittedly fine surroundings of Pembroke Lodge revived us for the final leg down Richmond Hill, in time for the 17:45 back to CJ and points onward. I hope we see the newcomers again!

Great company, beautiful flowers and delicious cakes = perfect day.

Thank you to Sean for posting this walk.

10 of us gathered at Richmond station, others materialised at various points and joined us if only briefly, so say about 12 in total on a day of sunny intervals . We were a bit disappointed by the lack of rutting although we did see a few deer later in the walk after the Pen Ponds and a latecomer saw more stag action. Those who had a late lunch at Pembroke Lodge seemed very satisfied. An interesting walk, good value for 3 and a bit hours.

Did anyone do this walk?

9 walkers in total on a sunny day. 5 set off at the appointed time from Richmond and were joined by two more at the entrance to Richmond Park, where most headed straight to Pembroke Lodge for an early lunch. Two continued with their packed lunches to Isabella Plantation where they were joined by two more late starters. Lots of Red stags and Fallow bucks were prowling around but obstinately refused to engage in rutting behaviour. Both groups met up at the exit from the park to descend into Richmond where some partook of refreshment.

Thanks Anon, perhaps we can make this an annual SWC rutting walk but maybe the 3rd week in October.

9 sunny

Is anyone interested in this idea? If so I'll think about a suitable walk.

Thanks.

Sounds like a good idea

I'd be interested in a walk ending with the cricket. J

You can also walk along the Thames in the other direction to Kew Bridge. I would recommend The Express which is across the bridge next to Kew Bridge Station, for tea or a great range of beers.

Is spectating really free?

I think the walker who advised Chris about this event must have been a Middlesex member, as hoi polloi have to stump up £20 for ground entry (£10 for over-65s). Maybe a local can suggest vantage points in Old Deer Park where you can follow the action for free?

As a Surrey man I often watch the crews row by and think, why aren't I at the Oval listening to the sound of willow on leather...?