Chiswick

A sunny Sunday calls for a walk. This one started at Kew, but not to visit Kew Gardens (which is one for another fine day soon perhaps as I haven't really visited Kew in the autumn).It did take me past the famous Newens tea-rooms on Kew Road

and then onto Kew Green. This is one of those vulnerably old parts of London, a Green surrounded 18th century houses largely built for courtiers to live in while the royal court was in residence at Kew Palace.

At one end is St Anne's Church, a really attractive church inside and out.

And a place where one can go grave spotting. The graveyard can boast two of out most famous painters, Gainsborough and Zoffany.

Thence past the Gates of Kew,

and its Herbarium

and down to the River, crossing Kew Bridge, with the tower that was part of the Grand Junction Water Works, from a time when it was thought important to disguise industrial buildings rather than celebrate their ugliness.

This is a lovely stretch of the River (the "Strand") which offers good sailing, as well as rowing, opportunities.

A nice walk and here I broke for lunch at a riverside pub, the City Barge, which claims to date back to 1484. Unfortunately the service was slow, so slow that I had to abandon my riverside table and scurry indoors as the high tide began to lap at my feet. The nearby 17th century Bulls Head may be a better bet as it occupies just ever so slightly higher ground.

From there I headed into Chiswick Park, and Chiswick House, Lord Burlington's famous residence. It is an Utterly delightful building in the Palladian style, set in beautiful grounds with all those cute little follies they loved; a miniature ionic temple, a picturesque bridge, avenues of urns, the odd obelisk and sphinx.

The interiors are fine, although the artwork is a bit second rate - all by a follower of say, van Dyck. But the settings and ceilings are wonderful. Its the architecture that one comes to admire more than the art.

 The gardens though are attractive too, including the giant greenhouse.

Then back down towards the river again, via St Nicholas's Church for some more grave-spotting, this time the rather grand memorial to William Hogarth.

This is just such a nice stretch of the river to walk down, with beautiful houses, pubs and of course river views, culminating in the fine edifice that is Hammersmith Bridge.

Walpole House

Linden House