The next best thing to 'messing about on the river' must be cycling alongside it.
The Thames, in all it's twists and turns, is in my opinion London's greatest feature but that's not the only waterway I encounter as I ride to work. The Grand Union Canal/River Brent tow paths give you the impression you are far away from West London.
It's not always possible to hug the Thames but there are plenty of routes near it's course that keep you away from the traffic melee!
With routes through Bushey Park, Syon Park and Richmond Park you can sometimes forget where you are....Rush hour? What Rush hour?
And in Summer....golden days........long daylight hours and warm weather.....all add up to extended routes to and especially from work.
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| NCN Route 4 Thameside near Teddington - Traffic free. |
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| Thames - near Ham |
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| Thames - Old Isleworth |
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| Low Tide - Old Isleworth |
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| Stag - Bushey Park |
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| Unloved...... |
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Richmond Hill - Late September evening.
There won't be many more of these after work views soon as the days shorten. |
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| Twickenham Bridge - more attractive from this angle than up on it. |
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| Riverside Creatures - Duck's Walk - Richmond |
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| Old Boys Rowing Club - Richmond |
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| Marble Hill House |
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Richmond Bridge - view from the less busy approaches.
As the GU Canal/River Brent goes North from Brentford Quay, it skirts the parks of Boston Manor, Osterley & Elthorne on it's way to Hanwell Locks. At different points along the canal both the M40 and the Piccadilly Line go overhead but for the most part you'd think you were out in the countryside.
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Golden Glow - River Brent - Rush hour!
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Although there are glimpses of the 'other' world........the Glaxo building and some pretty striking and appropriately grim graffiti on Gallows Bridge.......
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