Why don’t you ….

When you get to the first bridge, a wooden one, cross it into the rnpark. And you’ll find this pretty path into the park. Walk through the rnpark for a minute or so, then any turning on the right takes you into rnwhat I now call the buttercup meadows. I imagine that as the year rnprogresses the flowers will change but these meadows have been so rnbeautiful with their golden glow of buttercups.

Keep walking, any direction through one meadow after another, you rncan’t get lost. Any path will take you sooner or later to the road. Lookrn out for The Ballot Box pub, (closed now, but handy for a quick beer in arn while). On the same side of the road as the pub there’s a path into rnanother green area. Here you have a choice to go up to the top of the rnhill or have a walk through a wood. I suggest the path through the wood,rn (my friend and I sat down there on a hot morning, drank our coffee and rnwere amazed that in London we could see such loveliness.)

After a few minutes’ walk in the wood you’ll come onto a golf course,rn any path is fine. Talk to whoever you see if you want a direction, the rnarea is not so big and anyone will be happy to recommend a way. I turn rnleft at the beginning of the golf course, walk around it and then down rnanother little wooded path past the Gruffalo waiting for you, and then rnafter ten minutes you’ll be back on the canal bridge. You’ll have walkedrn a circle, it takes about an hour, more if you’re like me and like to rnstop, eat your sandwich, look around, take a few photos.

As you leave the area, and just before the bridge there’s a notice rnboard, and every day there’s a different poem on it, some famous, some rnnot, but always worth reading. Often I’ve felt it’s made my walk just rnthat bit more magical.

Or try walk number 2:

This one starts at Hammersmith station. From there make your way to rnHammersmith bridge, just ask almost anyone for directions, it’s only a rnfive minute walk. It’s a beautiful bridge and the river walks in any rndirection are really lovely.

I like to start on the Hammersmith side, turn right, stopping to lookrn at the water, is the tide in or can you see the mud and stones we like rnto call the beach. Then there’s the house boats to look at. If the pubs rnare open, stop and watch the passers-by, everyone’s favourite hobby, or rnmake your way to The Dove at the end of Furnival Gardens. It’s my rnfavourite pub in the whole of London and you can hope there’s a table onrn the balcony overlooking the river because it is so enjoyable to sit rnthere, eat something and watch the river traffic.

When you’re ready leave and continue your walk, past the beautiful rnhouses, choose where you’d like to live. Just keep going for as long as rnyou’re enjoying the walk. I like to walk until the bridge that leads to rnBarnes station. I cross and then walk the opposite way, going back to rnHammersmith. I love walking along the length of the river in Barnes, it rnfeels like the sea. Then the path leads to the path through trees, take rnit and keep going. If you have the energy you can turn off and walk rnround the Leg of Mutton reservoir, or if not just keep following the rnpath all the way back to the bridge. You’ll get a taste of the rncountryside before you head back to city life and the shops.