Winter Walk
Sun 28th January 2024

Join us for a winter walk through Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park.
A pleasant walk of approximately 5 miles (8km) through stunning park land. This is part of the Capital Ring walk and takes in such sights as:

Wimbledon Windmill – The last remaining hollow post flour mill in the country. The main body of the mill, with its machinery, turned on a central post, through which a hole was bored for a drive shaft taking power to the machinery.

Richmond Park – London’s largest Royal Park, covering 2,500 acres. It is a national nature reserve and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest; it is also Europe’s largest urban park. It has some ancient trees with the oldest oaks some 700 years old.

White Lodge – Built in 1727, it is now the home of the Royal Ballet Lower School and a dedicated museum; it featured in the film Billy Elliot.

Pembroke Lodge – Originally a one-room cottage – home of the Park’s molecatcher. Between 1788 and 1796, during the reign of George III, the building was extended and redeveloped into a grand house for the Countess of Pembroke. In 1847 it was the residence of the then Prime Minister, Lord John Russell, and so became the childhood home of his grandson, Bertrand Russell.

King Henry’s Mound – Legend says that Henry VIII stood on this burial mound in 1536 waiting for a flare that would tell him that Anne Boleyn had been executed. At the top there is a protected view: no tall buildings can be built to obscure the view of St Paul’s Cathedral, 12 miles away.

Great Trees of London – Londoners were asked to nominate the capital’s leading landmark trees after the Great Storm of 1987. Forty-one trees were awarded ‘Great Tree’ status in 1988 and another 20 were added to the list in 2008.

The Wombles of Wimbledon – Rarely sighted these days but you never know.
 
Starting Point:
Wimbledon Windmill, Windmill Road, Wimbledon Common,  London, SW19 5NR
Google Maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/ns2hJhotCFNJJS4A6

Finish Point:
The Old Ship, 3 King Steet, Richmond, TW9 1ND
Google Maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/zKcHSen7dpXsvL7y7

Getting There:
By Car – Wimbledon Windmill has a car park. There is a bus 493 to get you back to the start.
Public Transport – Bus 93 from bus Putney Train Station (Stop E) or Putney Bridge Tube Station (Stop FE)  to Wimbledon Common (Stop Parkside Hospital). End point is close to Richmond Tube and Train Station.

The Route:
The route is mainly on rough tracks or paths and grass. There is some pavement walking.  There are hard paths in Wimbledon Park and after leaving Richmond Park. There are several options for returning to the start point by public transport. 

Dogs:
Well behaved dogs are welcome. The walk is dog friendly as is the pub at the end. Dogs will need to be kept on leads at certain places and are not allowed at King Henry’s Mound. (We can look after your dog while you go and take a look).
 
Cost:
Free, Nada, Nothing, Gratis.

Just let us know you are coming by booking here.