Walk Report

Osterley to Kew, Wednesday 29th June 2011
22 walkers, 9 miles - leader Rob Myers
22 people turned up at Osterley station for this walk which equalled the summer evening walk attendance record. The walk swiftly proceeded to Osterley Park where we looked at the famous National Trust house first built by Thomas Gresham in 1576 and completely remodelled by Robert Adam in 1761. We then wandered through the grounds admiring the trees and lakes and left the park by crossing the M4 and joining the Grand Union Canal at Hanwell Locks. Now a Scheduled Ancient Monument this is a flight of 6 locks which drops down 53 feet. We stopped to admire Brunel's Three Bridges Lock where a road bridge is on top of another bridge carrying the canal which is in turn on top of a railway line. We followed the Grand Union Canal to Brentford Lock where we saw the remnants of the local boat repair industry. A short walk along a very attractive section of the Thames Path took us to Kew Bridge where we headed via Kew Green to the Railway Tavern at Kew Gardens station. Most people stayed for a pint or two reflecting on a very satisfying walk.

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