Kew Bridge to London Bridge and Tower Bridge - following The Thames Path.

This 13 or so mile long section of The Thames Path starts at Kew and follows The River Thames via Battersea to arrive at Tower Bridge.

The River Thames was once a major location for import and export and as it gets into London the river's banks were originally lined with many warehouses and wharfs - obviously meaning access to the river bank for a Path was restricted or impossible. However many of these warehouses are being or have been ripped down or simply converted into what are often very expensive flats but fortunately the planning requirements have been such that public access to the water's edge had to be allowed for wherever possible. From Kew Bridge The Thames Path exists on both sides of the river so you can always use the bridges to switch sides to walk along where any significant construction occurs. The following is about walking along mostly on the south bank as The Thames Path is often bordered by lots of foliage and trees for quite a few miles as opposed to the other side which looks more paved.
The nearest underground station to Kew Bridge is at Kew Gardens which is on the District Line - from the station the Thames is around a 10 minute walk away. Alternatively Kew Bridge Railway Station is situated on the North Bank and just a few hundred yards from Kew Bridge itself - this is on the Hounslow Loop Line and currently operated by South West Trains. At the other end the nearest tube station to London Bridge (and Tower Bridge) is just a short walk from London Bridge on the South Bank - this has the Jubilee and Northern Lines.

From Kew Bridge for quite some distance The Thames Path is along a tree-lined and quite wide gravel path which follows close to the river bank - especially on weekends this can be quie a busy stretch used by walkers, cyclists and joggers. The Path soon reaches Kew Railway Bridge which has particularly nice brickwork supports. Later on the Path reaches Chiswick Bridge - well known since this marks the end of the annual Oxford and Cambridge boat race. Also just by the bridge is the old Mortlake Brewery - this still has a cobbled path in front of the brewery walls. This can be a little muddy or even flooded here but if so it's easy enough to divert. There is a short road section at Barnes but the shady Thames Path is soon regained. The Path continues under the quite beautful Hammersmith Suspension Bridge and goes on by Harrods Depository - then skirtis a wetland area. The boat houses situated immediately before Putney Bridge mark the start of the boat-race. Interestingly Putney Bridge has a church either end - denoting an ancient river crossing - The Thames Path actually goes round St. Mary's Church.
(for photos of bridges mentioned see our Bridges crossing The Thames between Caversham and Tower Bridge in London item).

From the church there is a short section on the road before reaching Wandsworth Park - which by the way has toilets at the far end corner. After the Park follow the signs to reach Bell Lane Creek - this is a branch of the River Wandel along which there used to be quite a few mills and water-wheels (long since gone). A few short diversions follow but generally the route follows the river bank - passing Wandsworth Bridge and Wharfs and offering really good views across the river. At Battersea the small church of St Mary is close to the path and soon on the north bank the old Lots Power Station dominates the scene.
Having passed Battersea Bridge the unusually painted pink green and gold of Alberts Bridge appears - note the old toll-kiosk and the sign that "all troops must break steps when marching over". Battersea Park is across the road from the Thames - these public gardens were opened by Queen Victoria in 1858.

Having passed by the gardens the path reaches Chelsea Bridge - from here there is a significant detour required to get round Battersea Power Station - a huge amount of re-construction and work is being carried out here and possibly when everything is complete the Thames Path may well have a route placed which will avoid such a detour.
However an option is to cross over Chelsea Bridge to the River's north bank and walk along as far as Vauxhall Bridge - for a start there is a really good view of Battersea Power Station and when you cross back over the river there are good views of the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Big Ben. You also get to see the SIS Building with it's unusual design and colour.

Once over the to the south bank the Thames Path goes past the front of the SIS Building and then as it progresses along many quite famous locations appear - for instance Lambeth Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, London Eye. The area around here tends to be really busy with tourists - plus there are many river-side cafes and pubs plus the occasional hawker. One of THE sights has to be just passed Waterloo Bridge when you get a really lovely view of St Pauls' Cathedral especially if the Sun is out.
Having passed the Millenium Footbridge the Path takes you to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Once having gone under Southwark Bridge and then having passed the Anchor Inn the Path goes under a railway bridge into Clink Street - this was once a dangerous place with dark grimey street but has now been really cleaned up. The Golden Hind is then passed followed by Southwark Cathedral and then the Thames Path arrives at London Bridge.

Once over the to the south bank the Thames Path goes past the front of the SIS Building and then as it progresses along many quite famous locations appear - for instance Lambeth Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, London Eye. The area around here tends to be really busy with tourists - plus there are many river-side cafes and pubs plus the occasional hawker. One of THE sights has to be just passed Waterloo Bridge when you get a really lovely view of St Paul's Cathedral especially if the Sun is out.

Having passed the Millenium Footbridge the Path takes you to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Once having gone under Southwark Bridge and then having passed the Anchor Inn the Path goes under a railway bridge into Clink Street - this was once a dangerous place with dark grimey street but has now been really cleaned up. The Golden Hind is then passed followed by Southwark Cathedral and then the Thames Path arrives at London Bridge - from the middle of which some really good views of the beautifully designed Tower Bridge can be seen. Tower Bridge itself is around a five minute walk from London Bridge.

The Final part of the Path is shown on our Tower Bridge to the Thames Barrier on The Thames Path in England topic.