Stage 6 of the Capital Ring Wimbledon Park to Richmond

The walk is limited to 20 people. Please use the email link to inform me of your intention to join the walk. 

The walk starts at Wimbledon Park Station on the District line. We shall meet at the exit but there is a waiting room on the platform for anyone arriving early. Although the stage finishes just beyond Richmond Bridge most walkers will wish to continue accross Richmond Green to Richmond Station which is served by by the District Line, the Mildmay Overground Line and the mainline to Waterloo.  Both stations are within Zone 6.

This is a lovely walk. There is limited road walking and it passes through the delightful open spaces of Wimbledon Park, Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park. It passes numerous points of historical and topographical interest; not least the mound on which it is said that Henry VIII stood waiting for sight of a flare informing him of the beheading of Anne Boleyn, thus allowing him to marry Lady Jane Seymour.  

There are toilet facilities at Wimbledon park, Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, Petersham Park, Buccleuch Gardens and Richmond Station. We shall stop at Pembroke Lodge which is 5 miles into the walk. There is a good refreshment kiosk and an excellent cafeteria in the Lodge. 

I completed the walk on 11 February after days of rain. There are some very muddy sections on the second half of the walk and boots should be worn.The steep descent from Richmond Hill was treacherous. I did not slip but great care must be taken. Poles would be sensible unless we have a long dry spell before the walk. I will investigate an alternative road route to Richmond but I will need a volunteer to guide anyone taking that route. 

We cross two fairways on the London Scottish Golf course and again care should be taken. 

I was slightly alarmed on entering Richmond Park by a sign warning that firearms are in use because of a Deer cull. However on closer inspection the cull takes place at night.