This walk starts from Walton Bridge on the south bank of the river. It follows the river to Shepperton Lock where it crosses to the north bank. From there the path hugs the river all the way to Staines Bridge, where it crosses back to the south bank. From there it continues to hug the river as far as Albert Bridge in Windsor, where once again it crosses to the north bank. At Victoria Bridge Windsor it crosses for the final time on to the south bank and then continues to the end of the walk at Windsor Bridge. The walk takes in Weybridge, Shepperton, Laleham, Staines, Runnymede, Old Windsor and Datchet. The official distance covered is 15.2 miles.

 

After being spoiled the day before with blue sunny skies, today was more overcast but never mind, it wasn’t raining. The walk started along Desborough Cut and at the end of the cut is a metal bridge across to D’Oyly Carte Island and the derelict mansion built on it. I was pleasantly surprised to see workmen feeding electricity cables across the bridge and they confirmed to me that the new owner is now getting on with bringing the mansion back to life. Subsequent research told me that the owner would like to turn the mansion into a public space with cafes and restaurants. Great news!

 

The highlight of this walk is always the summoning the ferry at Shepperton Lock and crossing the river to the other side. These days you just call a number and the ferryman comes across from the other side to pick you up. Once on the north bank I continued along the towpath and soon reached Chertsey Bridge. Shortly after passing Chertsey Lock I walked under the M3 Chertsey Bridge. A few miles further and I arrived at Staines, or Staines-upon-Thames as it is now called in an effort to distance itself from Ali G & promote its riverside image.

 

Of note in Staines is a London Stone (or at least a replica of the one in Spelthorne Museum in the town). Although I’d noticed it before, I hadn’t thought much of it but having seen another one at Yantlet Creek at the Thames Estuary on my first 2022 walk, I took more notice of it this time. This one marked the upstream limit of the City of London’s jurisdiction of the Thames.

 

After crossing Staines Bridge I continued my walk towards Runnymede, where I took a little time out to stop at the Magna Carta & JFK memorials and the 12 Jurors bronze chairs. After coffee & cake at the National Trust café, I set off on the final stage of this walk towards Windsor. I left the path at Windsor Bridge and called it a day.

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