Walking the Thames path, a Guide to Thames path and pubs along the Thames


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	Thames path - London - north or south bank? Pubs - Barrier to Windsor There is the question of which bank is best, as in the earlier part of the walk the path is generally available on both banks. My recommendation is, starting from the barrier on the south bank, stay on the south until the "Cutty Sark" where I strongly recommend crossing to the north by the foot tunnel rather than the Deptford bank. Note: Soon after leaving the foot tunnel the path diverts away from the Riverside walk near a Thai restaurant as there is no right of way for a few yards, although you could easily get to the river front through the car park of the restaurant. Stay on the north bank, making a detour into St Katherine's dock and crossing back to the south at either Tower or the Millennium Bridge , good views of Tower Bridge for photographs can be had from the north bank near London Bridge, but the south bank near City Hall is as good. Do go up onto Waterloo Bridge for the classic London view. The south gives the best views of The Houses of Parliament but then cross to north again at Lambeth Bridge and then back to south again at Chelsea Bridge for Battersea Park and the Buddhist monument. If using the north bank at Waterloo Bridge its worth taking note of Embankment Gardens , at the upstream end there is a public toilet facing on to the main road and the park itself gives a relief from the traffic for a few yards after Waterloo Bridge. If you decide on refreshments at this point turn right into Carting Lane, next to the Savoy, noting the interesting sewer gas lamppost and the plaque to the first electrically lit public building and proceed to the end, where you will find The Coal Hole. (If doing the London section as day walks why not do both banks or spend on week on the London section including visits to the many sites of interest along the way). Beyond Battersea Park we favoured the south bank (except for Strand on the Green ) but I do not think it has any clear advantage. You can review the differing views from the two banks here We did the London parts of the walk in evenings and odd days so our mileage are not of use. However these riverside pubs are some of the most relevant to the path.
	*South bank* Greenwich peninsula (near start)		*The Anchor and Hope*
	Greenwich peninsula (near start & dome)		*The Pilot*
	Dating from 1801 and recently restored, The Pilot is stranded amidst the Dome development. If approaching by car beware the bizarre dual carriageway (two way traffic both sides) approach. (Garden). Football matches
	East Greenwich (Ballast Quay)		*The Cutty Sark*
	Georgian pub with dark wood interior and staircase. The upstairs rooms are preferable with views of Thames.
	Greenwich (near naval college)		*The Yacht*
	The Yacht has river views from within the bar
	Greenwich (near naval college)	020 8858 2437	*The Trafalgar Tavern*
	The place to eat a whitebait dinner in the style of the whigs and tories of the 19th century. The wedding feast in Dickens's "Our Mutual Friend" took place here.Multi-bar pub and restaurant with river views of the Isle of Dogs. (On the north bank and off route there is also The Gun, a riverside gastropub, which could be reached by turning downstream out of the north foot tunnel exit.)
	*North bank*
	Limehouse	020 7987 4396	*The Grapes*
	Situated on Narrow Street, oddly, the street is wide whilst pub itself is narrow. Bar meals, also fish restaurant (expensive) upstairs. (Limited bar seating).I have seen differing dates for its construction, but the plaque on the front says 1583. Dickens knew this pub as a child and used it as "The Six Jolly Fellowship Porters" in "Our Mutual Friend". Also Booty's Riverside Bar at number 92A, (to the east) 02079878343
	Limehouse	0207 592 7950	*The Narrow, formerly the Narrow Street Pub and Dining Room*
	At the entrance to the Limehouse basin (formerly the "Barley Mow") in an old dock officials' building. Bar plus a dining room with excellent Thames views.
	Wapping (High Street)	020 7481 1095	*The Prospect of Whitby*
	A pub has been on this site since 1520. Once a haunt of lowlife it has moved upmarket with the gentrification of the docks. I can remember 35 years ago being asked for protection money by local youths to "look after" my parked car. Times change. No food Saturday lunchtime and Sunday evening. Also The Town of Ramsgate and The Captain Kidd , which has only been a pub for about 100 years.
	*South bank* East Rotherhithe - (Limehouse Reach-south bank) "The Blacksmiths Arms"near the Hilton Hotel and Canada Wharf in Rotherhithe street does not do lunchtime food (2004). "The Clipper" (just to the south, near Lawrence Wharf) does do food but is untested by us.
	N.W. Rotherhithe- (Lower pool -south bank)	020 7237 4088	*The Mayflower*
	"The Mayflower" was moored here before sailing for America. Quite a coincidence the pub having the same name! (For the record I understand it was originally "The Shippe" but eventually became "The Mayflower" due to the historic connection). Also nearby "The Angel".(rather run down in 2004 but covered in scaffolding in 2005).
	*North bank* St Katherine's dock		*Dickens Inn*
	18th Century brewery and spice store moved to its current location in 1976. Also "The Banker" under Cannon Street Station.
	*South bank* Tower Bridge		*The Anchor Tap*
	Tap room of the Elizabethan Anchor brewery on the riverfront. Situated off a courtyard between office developments. Multiple small rooms and strangely for a "brewery tap" no "real ale" (2004)
	Southwark Bridge		*The Anchor*
	Blackfriars Bridge		*The Founders Arms*
	A modern Young's pub on the riverfront. The Blackfriar on the north bank is a little away from the river (by the station) but has an interesting interior) as is the Coal Hole Public toilets Toilets may be quite hard to find along this busy populated part of the river. Pubs of course have them but there is a public one on Victoria Embankment near Embankment tube station. Hidden Cremorne Gardens at the junction of Cheyne Walk and Lots Road in Chelsea also has one.There is another at St.Katherine's dock. *Both banks*
	Millbank		*The Morpeth Arms* (north bank)
	Chelsea		*The Kings Head and Eight Bells, The Cross Keys*
	Wandsworth Bridge		*The Ship*
	Putney Bridge		*The Dukes Head and The Cat's Back*
	The "Duke's Head" is just upstream of the bridge on the south bank, spacious with attractive etched glass. "The Cat's Back" is also on the south bank some way downstream of the bridge in Point Pleasant (behind a smart pavilion riverside seafood restaurant, "Ghillies on the river").The Cat's Back is a rather eccentric old pub marooned between modern and emerging developments. Clientele are as mixed as its furniture and fittings, which include a commode and a petrol pump. High on the building a vestigial pub sign announces its name while a second lower one announces "coffee house". (2004)
	Hammersmith	020 8748 5405	*The Dove*
	17th. century riverside pub backing onto north bank upstream of the bridge on Upper Mall. Tiny front bar, small main bar, conservatory and terrace.No food Sundays.Also Blue Anchor and Black Lion Football matches


	Barnes (near bridge)		*The Bull's Head*
	Jazz oriented pub, also just upstream, The White Hart* with riverside seating, then The Ship Inn in an old brewey building.(all on south bank).The Bridge set back from the river.*
	Chiswick Bridge		*The Ship*
	Strand on the Green (Kew Bridge)		*The Bulls Head ,The City Barge and the Bell and Crown.*
	On the north bank downstream of Kew Bridge, Strand on the Green is a charming stretch of path not to be missed. The alternative south bank between Chiswick and Kew Bridges is continually on the river frontage but put up with a little suburban street walking to experience the path in front of the flood prone old houses and their three pubs. "The City Barge" (" The Navigators Arms" until the 19C ) is so named because the state barge of the Lord Mayor of the City of London had its winter moorings outside the inn.


	Richmond Bridge (downstream of)	020 8940 6844	*The White Cross*
	Busy Young's pub with several rooms
	Eel Pie Island		*The White Swan*
	Teddington		*The Anglers Inn*
	Kingston		*The Boaters Inn and The Bishop out of Residence*
	Hampton Court	020 8977 1729	*The Kings Arms*
	Built in 1709, this imposing ex hotel stands by the Lion Gate, behind the palace, next to the maze.(walk through the palace grounds in front of the main entrance or take road if closed). Food from noon, substantial classic English dishes.(Toad in the hole, Lancashire hot pot, fish and chips etc.)
	Surbiton		*Fox and Hounds*
	Shepperton Lock		*Thames Court*
	Sunbury Weir		*The Weir*
	Walton on Thames		*The Swan*
	Chertsey Bridge		*The Kingfisher, The Bridge Hotel*
	Laleham	(Feathers) 01784 453561	*The Feathers or The Three Horseshoes*
	Both in village a little away from the river. "The Three Horseshoes" is on the Shepperton Road and "The Feathers" is on the B377 as it leaves the village going NE. The Sunday roast was excellent and the rest of the menu looked interesting.
	Staines		*The Swan*
	Windsor		*The Donkey House, The Watermans Arms, The Royal Oak*
	The usual disclaimer: There is of course no guarantee offered that any of this information is correct, especially as time passes!
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