LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I started the walk from the bus stop outside the Woodman Public House, at the end of Arthur Road, the bus journey from Wimbledon. I walked up Arthur Road to Wimbledon Park railway station, a short diversion to use the Station Master's toilet. Turning right into Home Park Road, I passed the first of many 'Capital Ring' signs on posts of all types and sizes. Right into Wimbledon Park past the now famous tennis courts, playground, lake, running track to Park Road. I meandered through the streets, past Royal Close to Wimbledon Common which was a sharp contrast from busy London roads to peaceful tracks in woods on the Common. I soon arrived at the windmill where I stopped on a sunny bench for a sandwich while I watched golfers 'teeing off.' I continued along the muddy tracks where I met a little girl with a camera. I suggested to her Mum that we took a photo of each other, so we did. I passed Queen's Mere and crossed the golf course to Beverley Brook. I walked alongside the brook to a bridge and short hop to Richmond Park, crossing the busy A3. The road crossing is modified to cater for horses passing between the two famous green open spaces. There are stables at Robin Hood Gate to Richmond Park, with horses returning after exercising in the park. Here I deviated slightly from the official path where I walked alongside the road, instead of the track a few metres away. I passed a family playing amongst logs from a lone bare tree by a track to Penny Ponds. The scenery was spectacular in the sunshine around Pen Ponds. There were more unknown large ducks looking for bread by the ponds. I took the sharp left turn on the slope after the ponds to circumnavigate Sidmouth Woods and Oak Lodge. I talked to little Albert with his Mum and Dad by the busy main road. I crossed the road to Petersham Park with its fine views of the Thames Valley, towards the west. It was a steep ascent to the park gate, where I slipped badly, but just managed to keep my feet. I exited the park by the children's playground to an alleyway leading to Petersham Meadows, with its fine views of large houses on the hill in Richmond. I met the river and the Thames Path at Road Tunnel Terrace Gardens with an impressive waterfront to Richmond Bridge. Just after the bridge and the floating restaurant I turned right, away from the river and into Richmond for a pie and pint before the walk to the bus station and bus No 65.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Start Wimbledon
Finish: Richmond

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