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Kew & Richmond
Kew to Richmond along the Thames
Kew Green and Kew Bridge, then the riverside towpath through Old Deer Park to Richmond.
- Distance 8.5 km · 5.3 miles
- Walking time 1 h 55 min Allow 45 min for stops
- Stops5 Kew Gardens to Richmond
- Terrain Flat
- Step-freeCheck routeNot verified for this walk
Take this walk offline
The route
From Kew Gardens station, walk to Kew Green and the river, then follow the Thames towpath along the Kew Gardens riverside and past Old Deer Park to Richmond Lock to Richmond Bridge and Richmond Green. The towpath is level and mostly unsurfaced or gravel.
The interactive map needs JavaScript. The stops are listed below.
Stops
- Start: Kew Gardens
- End: Richmond
Distance and times come from a pedestrian route between the stops. Allow extra time for stops, and check for temporary closures.
Route and map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Walking routes by the FOSSGIS OSRM service, saved 2026-10-18. Spotted a mistake? Fix the map.
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Google Maps chooses its own footpaths between the stops, so its line may differ slightly from the map above. The GPX file has our route and every stop as waypoints, for use in a walking or hiking app.
5 stops, in order
Each caption is a short fact; check opening times and tickets on the official site before you go.
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Stop 2 · Pier
Kew Gardens Pier
River boat pier next to Kew Bridge.
4.2 km to the next stop
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Stop 3 · Lock
Richmond Lock and Footbridge
Half-tide lock and footbridge across the Thames.
1.1 km to the next stop
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Stop 4 · Bridge
Richmond Bridge
Stone bridge over the Thames at Richmond.
710 m to the next stop
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Stop 5 · Park
Richmond Green
Large village green in the centre of Richmond.
570 m to Richmond station
Read the guide
A short note for each stop, written to be read or recorded as an audio walk. Audio is not available for this walk yet.
Introduction
Read the guide
This walk goes from Kew Gardens station to Richmond. You start on Kew Green, then meet the Thames at Kew Gardens Pier and follow the towpath upstream past Old Deer Park to Richmond Lock. From there you go on to Richmond Bridge and finish at Richmond Green. The towpath is level, and mostly unsurfaced or gravel.
Stop 1: Kew Green
Read the guide
Kew Green is a large triangle of open grass, about thirty acres. The Crown Estate owns it, and Richmond council leases it. Cricket has been played here since the 1730s, and Kew Cricket Club still plays on it. Kew Bridge carries a road across the Green and splits it in two. At the southern end stands St Anne's Church, where the painters Gainsborough and Zoffany are buried. Elizabeth Gate, one of the main entrances to Kew Gardens, was designed by Decimus Burton and dates from 1848. Next stop: Kew Gardens Pier.
Sources for this stop
Stop 2: Kew Gardens Pier
Read the guide
Kew Gardens Pier is a river boat landing beside Kew Bridge. Boats run from here down the Thames to Westminster, and upstream to Richmond and Hampton Court. They are run by the Westminster Passenger Services Association. The Thames is tidal here, so journey times depend on the tide, and boats heading to Richmond pass through Richmond Lock. On foot, the towpath carries on upstream the same way. Next stop: Richmond Lock and Footbridge.
Sources for this stop
Stop 3: Richmond Lock and Footbridge
Read the guide
Richmond Lock was built between 1891 and 1894, and the Duke of York, later George the Fifth, opened it in May 1894. It is a half-tide lock. For about two hours either side of high tide, three steel sluice gates are lifted up into the footbridge supports, and boats pass through freely. The rest of the time the gates are down, which keeps enough water upstream, and boats use the side lock. It is Grade Two star listed, and the Port of London Authority runs it. Next stop: Richmond Bridge.
Sources for this stop
Stop 4: Richmond Bridge
Read the guide
Richmond Bridge is described as the oldest surviving Thames bridge in London. It opened to walkers in September 1776 and to other traffic in January 1777. James Paine and Kenton Couse designed it, in Portland stone, with five arches. Tolls were charged until March 1859. Between 1937 and 1940 it was widened by eleven feet, and the join is still visible under the arches. It is Grade One listed. Next stop: Richmond Green.
Sources for this stop
Stop 5: Richmond Green
Read the guide
Richmond Green covers about twelve acres. The Crown Estate owns it, and the borough leases it. Jousting tournaments were held here in the Middle Ages, and cricket has been played on it since the mid 1700s. For over four hundred years, houses and businesses were built around the Green to serve people connected to Richmond Palace. The Gate House, built in 1501, survives from Henry the Seventh's palace. Maids of Honour Row dates from 1724, and was built for the maids of honour of Queen Caroline.
Sources for this stop
Written for Britlens from the sources listed under each stop. Check opening times and access on the official sites before you go.
Getting there and back
Both ends of the walk are at stations. Check live times and any planned works before you travel.
Getting back
Richmond
National Rail / Tube / Overground: District line, Mildmay line
Open the journey planner- Kew Gardens is a ticketed attraction, so allow extra time if you plan to go inside. The towpath can flood or be muddy after heavy rain.
- Step-free access has not been checked for this walk. Check the route and station access before you go.
- Opening times, prices and closures change: check before you visit.
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Photos are credited on the photo credits page. Route and map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.