Hampton Court Park and Bushy Park

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The walk starts at Hampton Court Green car park; it then heads north into the heart of Bushy Park, crossing a Victorian artificial river before heading east through attractive woodlands, passing some small ponds. Next it goes south through the Deer-Park down an impressive tree-lined avenue (as the name suggests, the Bushy Park deer are often around here). At the Diana fountain, which is in the middle of a large lake often used by anglers, the route continues east past several more ponds and possibly deer, before emerging from Bushy Park at Hampton Court Gate. The walk passes briefly through the town (there is a railway station here) before picking up the Thames Path on the north bank of the river, heading upstream (south here) for several miles around the perimeter of Hampton Court Park on a well-made track shared by cyclists. After passing The Pavilion, the route cuts into Hampton Court Park itself (which is accessible to the public but is closed after dusk) and continues through the beautiful gardens, with many strange trees and a stunning view of the east face of Hampton Court Palace itself. After passing right in front of the palace (which is open to the public to tour around but very expensive to get in!) it continues through the palace's inner gardens, over a busy road and back across Hampton Court Green to the walk start car park.

England - South England - London - Common or Park

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Food Shop, Lake/Loch, Pub, River, Stately Home, Toilets, Wildlife
8/23/2020 - Stephen Harris

23.08.2020 Still a very nice walk and very easy to navigate. Bushy Park has changed a bit since this walk was written, and Waymark 7's path is now a wide track around the lake. Follow around the lake until you come to a little bridge with a nice criss cross fence on one side. After the bridge turn right then after a short distance you reach Waymark 8. We didn't come across Waymark 9, but go around the wood until you are at the other side, then just keep straight. At a junction of paths you'll be able to see Hampton Gate, take the right path towards the cricket ground and exit the park via Church Grove Passage to reach the road (nicer than the original route). Hampton Court Gardens are now pay-only and are fenced off at Waymark 14, so perhaps this can be updated by the author. Instead of going into the gardens, keep alongside the river to pass Hampton Court Palace and turn left at main road. You can either cross over the crossing to follow waymark 17, or if you want to extend the walk a little keep straight onto Hampton Court Road and at the obvious right hand bend, turn right. You will after a short distance reach Bushy Park. Enter the park and turn immediately left to walk the obvious path behind the houses. Keep going and you will eventually reach the path at the start. Turn left and you will reach Waymark 1. Total length for this was 6.5 miles. Good walk, just needs a little updating from the author.

1/6/2013 - Susan Pyne

This is a local walk for me so I've done it (or variations) a few times. To avoid having to walk along the road to Kingston Bridge (waypoints 10 to 11), you can turn slightly right after waypoint 8 or 9, missing out waypoint 10. Keep the cricket ground on your left and exit from Church Grove Gate. There is then only a very short stretch of road to cover to reach the river.

1/30/2012 - Walkingworld Admin

Thanks for this Comment Jessica. I think we must definitely mark this walk up as being dog-UNfriendly. Adrian (Admin)

1/29/2012 - Jessica Steele

This is a nice walk but not dog friendly as it stands. We tried skimming the gardens because dogs are not allowed and ended having to walk around a rather long lake to make our way back to the car park in Bushey Park. Very glad we had a GPS and had marked the car or we would have got lost as we had to alter our route by quite a lot. We came out at Paddocks Gate, then down the road to Bushey Park gates. The walk was still 6 miles. If the path we took along the golf course and lake is a public right of way it would be a good alternative route for walkers with dogs.

11/10/2009 - Dianne Young

You now have to pay to park at suggested start car park. You can park for free at cafe at The Pheasantry in Bushey Park - with good loos. If you start here, in front of the cafe, follow the path to the right over the bridge and start walk at point 4.

11/1/2009 - Dianne Young

A stunning walk! From April - September you cannot enter the garden at Hampton Court from the river as there is now a charge but continuing up the river bank still affords some marvellous views of the Palace.

1/15/2006 - Stephen Harris

A lovely walk through Bushy Park with some great close up views of Deer possible (with caution!). Only downside is the road walking to Kingston Bridge but this is a short section. The riverside section is long but enjoyable and once entering the grounds of Hampton Court you are rewarded with great views of the palace and the refurbished gardens. Lovely... :) 7/10.

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