Chertsey to Weybridge Walk
Saturday March 15, 2008
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Chertsey to Weybridge WalkSaturday March 15, 2008 |
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Chertsey Meads, Shepperton & WeybridgeKey FactsStart/Finish: Mead Lane, Chertsey Distance: 7.2 km or 4.5 miles Time: Allow 2 hours Type of walk: Easy Walking DirectionsTHIS ROUTE TAKES THE WALKER ALONG THE THAMES PATH, THE RIVER WEY NAVIGATION AND THE RIVER BOURNE. IT STARTS IN THE FIRST CAR PARK ON THE MEADS. THIS IS SITUATED AT THE END OF MEAD LANE, CHERTSEY. MAP REF. 055662.
With your back to the road face the Thames and take the vehicle track leading from the left corner of the car park with the marina to your left. At the end of the marina turn left to pass through a barrier and up over a footbridge over the entrance to the marina. On the other side of the bridge, follow the road through the industrial area. The road emerges at Chertsey Bridge. The first bridge over the Thames at Chertsey was built in 1410 and was maintained by Chertsey Abbey. The present bridge was completed in 1785 at a cost of £10,125. Cross over the bridge and immediately turn right to join the towpath. Pass through the kissing gate to follow the Thames Path along the bank of the river through Dumpsey Meadow. This field is awash with yellow ragwort in summer. Pass through another kissing gate and continue along by the Thames passing several houseboats. A roadway soon joins the towpath, and at this point, there are houses on both banks of the river. Continue to follow the towpath. Soon the route passes Pharaoh’s Island. The island was given to Lord Nelson after the Battle of the Nile and many of the properties have Egyptian names. Nearby is Thames Court, a popular riverside pub/restaurant. Around the bend in the river is Shepperton Lock, where refreshments can be purchased from a kiosk during the warmer months. The route now crosses the Thames by the Shepperton ferry leaving the north bank just beyond the Lock at the end of Ferry Lane. The service reopened in 1986 after a 26-year gap. There has been a ferry here since Henry VI’s time. The ferry runs every fifteen minutes from 8am to 6pm during the week, between 9am and 5pm on a Saturday, and between 1Oam and 5pm on a Sun day. Services continue an extra hour later during the summer. There is a small charge. Further information can be obtained on 01932 254844. On the south bank of the river, turn right to follow the path to Weybridge. Go through the car park and turn right to join the road. Pass the Minnow Pub on the left side of the road. Take the alley on the right just before the Old Crown Pub. Cross the residential road at the end and continue down the alley called Church Walk opposite. Where the alley opens to a courtyard area, turn right in front of the houses to cross a footbridge over the Wey. The route continues along a pathway with fencing on both sides. You emerge at a Lock on the River Wey Navigation. Cross over the footbridge with care. A shelter on the right contains some information on the history of the water way. Follow the towpath for approximately half a mile. Just after a left hand bend in the Wey Navigation, find a path on the right through a wooded area. There are some planks over a ditch to watch for. Follow the route through the trees to reach the road. Turn right, and then left just before the entrance to Hamm Court. Climb over the stile and walk across the field, under the electricity lines. Walk around the pond and over a stile to follow the boundary of the mobile home park. Turn left at the sharp corner to continue along the boundary. At the track, turn right to follow the path on to Chertsey Me There are open fields on the right and a wooded area on the left at this point. The footpath leads over the Bourne River. Turn left to follow the bank of the river for approximately a third of a mile. Cut diagonally right across the Meads to reach the first car park and the finish of the walk.
This site was last updated 09 Mar 2008 |
