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Marble Hill Park & the river Thames
Marble Hill Park consists of 66 acres of parkland surrounding Marble Hill House, a Palladian riverside villa built in 1729 for Henrietta Howard, later the countess of Suffolk and one time mistress of King George II.
The car park charges £1 for 2 hours, and there is additional metered parking in Orleans Road, which runs parallel to the park down to the river. It may be worth considering Orleans Road if you think you might not get back before the park closes. Opening times are from dawn until dusk. The Park has large stretches of lawns ideal for picnics, ball games or just allowing your dog to run free .The chestnut tree lined avenues provide shade on a hot day and shelter on a wet one. Small ‘wilderness’ areas and copses are an added attraction for your dog and the views of the River Thames and House provide a truly unique setting.
Marble Hill is very dog friendly, even supplying free ‘poo’ bags, and, once you reach the river you have the choice of a number of walks long or short depending on age of the dog or owner.
Marble Hill is very dog friendly, even supplying free ‘poo’ bags, and, once you reach the river you have the choice of a number of walks long or short depending on age of the dog or owner.
The walk described here is relatively short, taking about one to two hours and provides both dog and owner the novel experience of crossing the Thames by ferry.
When you have sampled all the park has to offer walk down to the gate behind the house that leads to the river. On your left hand side before the gate you will see an old tree, it is a Black Walnut probably the oldest Black Walnut remaining in this country, thought to have been planted in the early 18th century. Once at the river turn left and follow the path until you get to Richmond Bridge, completed in 1777 and now the oldest to span the river. On your way you will have magnificent views of Richmond Hill and Petersham Meadows, a pastoral scene that makes it difficult to believe you are only about ten miles from the City.
When you have sampled all the park has to offer walk down to the gate behind the house that leads to the river. On your left hand side before the gate you will see an old tree, it is a Black Walnut probably the oldest Black Walnut remaining in this country, thought to have been planted in the early 18th century. Once at the river turn left and follow the path until you get to Richmond Bridge, completed in 1777 and now the oldest to span the river. On your way you will have magnificent views of Richmond Hill and Petersham Meadows, a pastoral scene that makes it difficult to believe you are only about ten miles from the City.
On reaching the bridge, cross it and keeping to the right hand side go down the steps so that you are now on the opposite bank, then walk back along the river path to Petersham Meadows, which were part of the estate attached to Ham House from the early 17th to the late 19th centuries. There have been cattle grazing on Petersham Meadows from at least that time and they are featured in the many paintings and photographs of the famous view from Richmond Hill.
The right of way across the Meadows and its closeness to the Thames path creates a good place to stop for a while and just take in the scenery. Rejoin the path until you reach the ferry, which is to the left of the gate to Marble Hill Park as you face it and just before Ham House. The ferry runs from1 Feb- 31 Oct Monday-Sunday and Public Holidays 10.00 until 18.00 or dusk if earlier. Winter service is at weekends only from 1 Nov-31 Jan 10.00 until dusk the cost is 60p per adult, 30p per child, bicycles 50p, first dog free then 10p per dog.
Once on the other side, if you wish, instead of heading back through the park you can turn left and walk through a mini park by the river and along a very short stretch of peaceful riverside road to the White Swan a dog friendly pub with a terrace and patio on the water’s edge.
Once on the other side, if you wish, instead of heading back through the park you can turn left and walk through a mini park by the river and along a very short stretch of peaceful riverside road to the White Swan a dog friendly pub with a terrace and patio on the water’s edge.
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