Route 1: Guildford to London via the Wey and Thames

 Summary 

This ride uses the River Wey Navigation and the Thames as the basis for a largely traffic free ride into the outskirts of London at Putney, then goes through the several Parks and passes several well known landmarks, before returning from Waterloo station.

Travel:  I describe the route starting from Guildford Station and returning by train from Waterloo station (bikes allowed outside weekday rush hours)

Map: 

GPX: You can download the Google map info, as a KML/KMZ file, then convert to GPX using a site like GPS Visualiser, or get the route with options from the cycle.travel website. You download and use any such data entirely at your own risk.

Distance: 43 miles

Surface/traffic: The Wey Navigation towpath is quite rough and will be muddy after rain. The Thames towpath is better, but expect some puddles and mud after rain. Best done in summer after a dry spell. Also if you follow the towpath through Richmond, the path might be flooded at high tides. The towpaths can be busy (especially around Richmond), so slow down and use your bell. On-road sections in London always need care.

Route Variations: The main route mostly follows NCN4 along the Thames to Chelsea: this takes a shortcut through Richmond Park, cutting out the long bend of the river between Ham and Putney, which could be followed instead through Richmond, Kingston and Kew. At Chelsea I deviate form NCN4 to go through the Parks (Kensington, Hyde, Green) then passing Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.

There are other options staying closer to the river, on both north and south banks: for more detail see this blog.

Directions (see map):

From Guildford Station, make your way a short distance up Walnut Tree Close, where an alley way gives access to the Wey Navigation towpath. Then follow the towpath all the way to Weybridge. 

Once you get out of Guildford, the Navigation is (literally) a peaceful backwater, passing through many picturesque locks and flanked by pleasant watermeadows. You cross from one side to the other several times. About a mile past Pyrford Lock the waterway flows beside the (elevated) M25,and joins with the Basingstoke Canal. The presence of a railway bridge provides an interesting juxtaposition of modes of transport ancient and modern.

And so, on past New Haw and over the A317 at Weybridge and arriving at the final (first?) lock on the Navigation, Thames Lock. Here, follow the map carefully via a few paths (dismount) and streets to emerge on the Thames towpath.

From here, it is pretty straightforward to follow the towpath for the next part of the route. Reaching Hampton Court Bridge, cross over and follow the N side on a good path to Kingston Bridge. Finding your way through Kingston can be tricky: follow the Google map and the cycle route signs for National Cycle Route 4 to emerge back on the towpath through Canbury Gardens, then carry on until you reach Ham House (National Trust). From the riverside car park, take the road (Ham Street), and make your way across Ham Common, again picking up NCR4 signs to the Ham Gate of Richmond Park. On the left, inside the gate, is a good cycle track. At the road junction, a short diversion left will take you to refreshments at Pembroke Lodge. Otherwise continue on the car free road (signed NCR4) down to the Pen Ponds car park, then turn left to pass the Royal Ballet School and eventually exit the Park by Roehampton Gate. Keep on following NCR4 signs to reach the river again near Barnes Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, then follow the river to Putney Bridge.

This is where riding the tow path ends, although I believe there are plans afoot to open more of it to cycling. From here a mix of reasonably quiet roads is followed, but take care because they are not traffic free. Basically, follow the signs for NCR4. Cross Putney Bridge then take a right down Gonville Street, and make your way around Hurlingham Park and Chelsea Harbour, emerging on Cheyne Walk. Turn left into Beaufort Street, leaving NCR4. Follow the Google map through reasonably quiet streets to arrive at the south western gate of Kensington Gardens. Go up the Broad Walk and turn right onto the cycle path which soon follows Rotten Row beside the Serpentine through Hyde Park to Hyde Park Corner. Take care with busy road crossings from here on. Cycle through Wellington Arch, then cycle through Green Park alongside Constitution Hill to reach Buckingham Palace. Now head down the cycle track on the N side of the Mall, then take a right down Horseguards Road, past Horseguards Parade to emerge on Parliament Square (take great care of traffic here: walk if necessary). Then finally over Westminster Bridge, make a left on Belvedere Road to reach journey's end: Waterloo Station, for your train home.

Refreshments: There are several pubs on the Wey, for example The Anchor at Pyrford Lock. From Weybridge, there are likewise many riverside pubs and eateries (for example near Kingston Bridge and (if you go that way) Richmond Bridge. In Richmond Park, there is a cafe slightly off-route at Pembroke Lodge (great views from the terrace). 

Attractions: Picturesque Wey Navigation (locks, narrow boats, kingfishers).  Hampton Court Palace. Ham House. Richmond Park (open parkland with deer herd). Riverside chic around Chelsea. London parks (Kensington, Hyde, Green). Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament.

Finding your way: As with any ambitious cycle ride in the UK, it's best to download the route and follow it on a GPS or smartphone app. Parts of the route as indicated above are signed as NCN4.

Photos

In Richmond Park