GOC London has previously walked several stages of The London Loop over the past few years. You may have noticed that we are not doing it in order, as we like to mix it up a bit in terms of areas of London covered.

The start and end of the walk are very different in  character. The walk begins in Royal Kingston, on a historic crossing point of the River Thames. There has been a bridge across the Thames here since the 13th century, and was the only bridge across the river between London and Staines untl 1729. Kingston remains the headquarters of Surrey County Council, despite being also the main town of the Royal London Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames. The end of the walk lies close to a much more recent, though just as important  location in London, Heathrow Airport. 

Despite the surrounding development with built up areas never far away, there are a number of extensive green stretches on our walk today. We will pass through the very attractive Bushy Park and then for some miles along the relatively unknown River Crane, which is 8.5 miles long and flows entirely within Greater London. We will then traverse part of ancient Hounslow Heath before approaching the very busy A30 trunk road near the end of our walk.

There are several points of interest on the walk, including the Diana Fountain, Waterhouse Woodland Gardens and the Shot Tower and Hounslow Heath.

There are a number of cafes in Kingston for those wishing to have breakfast or a drink before the start of the walk and we shall be passing the Weatherspoons pub The Kings Tun that is within yards of the station.  Please call or text me on 07941-517092 to let me know if you are somewhere other than the station.

The walk will end at the 17th century Green Man pub which serves food all day and is just minutes from Hatton Cross tube on the Piccadilly line.  The 285 bus which can be caught outside the pub will take you back to Kingston.

At present, there are engineering works planned from Feltham heading west but all other routes to Kingston are not affected.