Thames Downs Link: Kingston upon Thames to Malden Manor

Kingston upon Thames - Berrylands - Malden Manor

Distance: 6.5 km (4.1 miles)

Max elevation: 36 m

Total Ascent: 46 m

Total Descent: 29 m

Tracking points: 429

The Thames Down link connects The River Thames at Kingston through to the North Downs at Westhumble and Box Hill. Essentially a flat easygoing riverside and suburban path comprising of both pavement and compressed gravel tracks and covering a distance of 15 miles. This makes the walk achievable in one day but on this occasion was split between two visits, the first finishing at Malden Manor and then returning homewards by train .

The trail begins at the foot of Kingston upon Thames Bridge and Horse Fair and follows the Riverside Walk until the Hogsmill River with which this first section follows closely through the Hogsmill Valley. Taking a left along Charter Quay and crossing Clattern Bridge (dating back to the 1100’s), the path continues on the opposite bank across from the infamous Anglo Saxon ‘Coronation Stone’ and then past the Police Station. Emerging onto Kingston Hall road, skirting Kingston College and crossing the Penrith Road, the link is clearly waymarked to pick up the Hogsmill riverside path. Worth noting that the early stage of the Thames Down Link is also shared with the London Loop and also way-marked accordingly.

A short section on Denmark road follows before returning back to the riverside in front of Knights Park Bridge, an eye-catching single steel span bridge constructed in 1892, restrengthened in the 1990’s and now only used for pedestrians and cyclists.

Continuing riverside the path squeezes alongside St. John’s Primary School high fence to cross a footbridge opposite the Kingston School of Art and onto Middle Mill island, the home of the Stanley Picker Gallery showcasing Art and Design from Kingston University and wider afield. A short walk leads onto Mill Street and The Swan Public House, and into the Fairfield/Knights Conservation area with period workhouses built from the early 1800’s. Following the path, now feeling like a back alley, the route passes the Hogsmill Community Garden and allotment to eventually lead onto Villiers Road. Taking a sharp right, a short surban section now follows crossing the Hogsmill River and passing the Athelstan Recreation Gound to reach Lower Marsh Lane at the roundabout ahead and the Duke of Buckingham pub, grandly located on the corner.

Now separated from the Hogsmill riverside a relatively straight section of roadside pavement and traffic free road lies ahead to finally reach Berryfields station and village. Taking the short uphill path through the village to the Berrylands Pub on the corner of the roundabout, and turning left along Surbiton Hill Park, the trail rejoins the Hogsmill river

by entering the bucolic Hogsmill Local Nature Reserve. If preferred, taking a right at the large roundabout before entering the nature reserve, takes the path up Elmbridge Avenue to pass the many attractive houses from the 1930’s and then by taking a sharp left down a small fenced-in track reaches Elmbridge Meadows which adjoins the Hogsmill riverside path. Whilst the roar of traffic on the A3 becomes more perceptive, the clear and easygoing path feels much further into the countryside as the meadows and light woodland roll by.

Crossing the busy A3 via the road tunnel, a short walk roadside refinds the woodland path and quiet once again descends as woodland and river draw onwards. The countryside now becomes more characterised by wide grassy rides and hawthorn hedgerows, wildflower meadows and abundant insect life in particular the meadow brown butterfly.

Very soon a similar well made path joins from the left which connects to Malden Manor and the train station for the return journey as well as welcome shops and restaurants for lunch or provisions.

Garmin Track

Elevation profile