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Thames Path in Barnes

Thames Path in Barnes

The Thames Path through Barnes follows one of London’s most scenic riverside stretches — from the grand span of Hammersmith Bridge to the Victorian arches of Barnes Railway Bridge and beyond towards Putney. Along the way you pass Georgian terraces, nature reserves, and some of the best birdwatching spots in the capital. The walk is flat throughout and suitable for all fitness levels.

Overview

  • Distance: approximately 4 km (2.5 miles)
  • Duration: 1.5–2 hours at a relaxed pace
  • Start: Hammersmith Bridge (south side)
  • End: Putney Embankment / Beverley Brook confluence
  • Terrain: paved towpath and quiet residential streets; flat throughout
  • Accessibility: mostly step-free; some short sections of uneven towpath near the Leg o’ Mutton reserve

For Whom

Couples, birdwatchers, photographers, runners, dog walkers. Suitable for pushchairs on the main towpath sections.

Route Stops

1. Hammersmith Bridge — South Landing

Begin on the Barnes side of Hammersmith Bridge. Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s ornamental suspension bridge, opened in 1887 and Grade II* listed, has been closed to motor traffic since 2019 but remains open to pedestrians and cyclists. Pause to take in the decorative cast-iron work and the views upriver towards Chiswick. The bridge marks the entrance to the Barnes peninsula.

2. The Terrace

Walk south-west along the river to reach The Terrace, a row of Georgian houses built from the 1720s — widely considered the most picturesque street in Barnes. Look for the blue plaques marking the homes of composer Gustav Holst (No. 10), dancer Ninette de Valois (No. 14), and the site where Ebenezer Cobb Morley drafted the Laws of Football (No. 26). Barnes Bridge station sits directly on The Terrace, should you need to break the walk.

3. The White Hart

At the eastern end of The Terrace stands the White Hart, a pub on this site since 1662. The current building dates from 1899. Its riverside verandas offer one of the finest vantage points for watching the annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, which passes directly below on its way to the Mortlake finish.

4. Leg o’ Mutton Nature Reserve

Continue along the towpath past the Boat Race finish area. On your left, a gate leads into the Leg o’ Mutton Nature Reserve — a disused Victorian reservoir designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1990. The reserve is home to breeding Pochard (nationally scarce) and wintering Teal. A circular path around the lake takes about fifteen minutes and offers excellent close-range birdwatching.

5. Barnes Railway Bridge

The path passes beneath Barnes Railway Bridge, where the original 1849 cast-iron arches — designed by Joseph Locke — stand alongside the 1895 replacement structure. Both are Grade II listed. Trains from Waterloo rattle overhead every fifteen minutes, a reminder that this crossing helped transform Barnes from a rural hamlet into a commuter village.

6. Beverley Brook Confluence

Where Beverley Brook meets the Thames at Leader’s Gardens, near the entrance to Barn Elms Playing Fields, pause to look for kingfishers and grey herons along the brook’s final stretch. The brook’s name comes from Old English beofor (beaver) — European beavers once inhabited these waters. Across the road lies the WWT London Wetland Centre, a 42-hectare nature reserve created from four Victorian reservoirs, well worth a separate visit.

7. Putney Embankment (optional extension)

If you wish to extend the walk, continue along the towpath towards Putney Bridge — another 1.5 km. You will pass rowing club boathouses and the start point of the Boat Race at Putney Bridge. From Putney, trains and buses provide easy connections back to Barnes or into central London.

Practical Tips

  • Best time: early morning for birdwatching; late afternoon for golden light on The Terrace
  • Best season: spring (March–May) for migrant birds and wildflowers; autumn for dramatic skies and waterfowl arriving at the Wetland Centre
  • Refreshments: the White Hart and the Bull’s Head on The Terrace; Orange Pekoe tea room on White Hart Lane; cafes along Church Road
  • Getting there: Barnes Bridge station (South Western Railway, zone 3) sits directly on The Terrace at stop 2. Alternatively, start from the Hammersmith side by crossing the bridge on foot from Hammersmith tube (District/Piccadilly lines)
  • Dogs: welcome on the towpath; must be kept on leads in the Leg o’ Mutton reserve
  • Cycling: some towpath sections are shared-use; see Cycling in Barnes for details on permitted routes

Map

An interactive map for this route is planned for a future update.

Sources

  1. Thames Path National Trail — National Trails
  2. WWT London Wetland Centre — official website
  3. Walking — Transport for London
Kids' Weekend in Barnes