The Thames Path - from Richmond to Kingston
Every couple of minutes a jumbo jet roars overhead, bringing visitors to London’s Heathrow airport. And, as I’m standing on Richmond Green, a tour guide walks past showing tourists where Ted Lasso used to live and drink. In the time it’s taken me to walk the short distance from Richmond’s bridge to its green I’ve overheard French, American, and a Scandinavian accent (Swedish I think). This corner of southwest London can feel very international.
But it’s also very local here. There’s plenty of village halls and community centres dotted across this council district. And you don’t need to look hard to unearth a strong seam of local producers working magic.
Along a five mile stretch of the River Thames, from Richmond to Kingston, people are making things to eat, drink, admire, hold, and devour. I walk this path most weeks with my dog, Audrey. It’s a path that sits within a giant metropolis, but at times, it can feel like there’s no one else for miles. Maybe that’s why there are so many people crafting great things here.
Author Steven … and Audrey
Pottery (Sheen)
On the outskirts of Richmond is Sheen, and here you can find Linda Barletta’s pottery studio and shop. Linda’s had her own studio for more than 25 years, producing a range of stoneware, including mugs, plates, vases, and butter dishes. The studio runs various pottery courses – from beginner to making a tea pot. And if you know what you’re doing with a wheel, you can even drop in for an untutored session. If you’d prefer to keep your hands clean, you can pick up a finished product in the shop.
https://www.lindybarlettaceramics.co.uk/information
Honey (Richmond)
Most weekends, you can find me running through Richmond Park. It’s 955 hectares of ancient woods, rolling hills and grasslands. Herds of red deer keep the photographers busy, but a smaller creature makes me happy. Bees. At certain times of the year, I see plenty of them whizzing around. I’m told there are several hives dotted across the Royal Park. I’ve never seen them but I have treated myself to a jar of Richmond Park honey. The number of hives are tightly controlled, so supply is limited, but the park’s visitor centre usually has jars for sale.
https://www.frp.org.uk/visitor-centre/
Vegetables and herbs (Ham)
Close to the edge of Richmond Park, on the banks of the river Thames, sits Ham House, a National Trust property that was originally built in 1610 by one of King Charles I’s courtiers. The occupants managed to delicately tread through the English civil wars, and as a result, keep hold of the property. As an example of a great Stuart house, it’s a rare survivor. But it’s the gardens that I love. Described as “one of the most productive walled kitchen gardens in London”, staff and volunteers grow a wide range of fruit and veg here. Most of the produce is used by the onsite café, but visitors can also pick up seasonal vegetables and herbs to take home.
Entrance to Ham House
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/london/ham-house-and-garden/the-garden-at-ham-house
Ceramics and Art (Twickenham)
A little further along from Ham House, in the middle of the river, sits Eel Pie Island. I was originally drawn to this special place because of its rock ‘n’ roll history. In the 60s, some of our most influential bands cut their teeth playing at the Eel Pie Island Hotel. The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Yardbirds, and Pink Floyd all took to the stage. Unfortunately, the hotel no longer exists, but other creatives have moved in, and today the island has a plethora of artist studios. Twice a year (often in July and December) the residents open their studios to the public. Wander the island’s narrow pathways and you’ll find sculptors, painters, ceramicists, and jewellers selling their creations.
https://www.eelpieislandartists.co.uk/
Beer (Twickenham)
In a boatyard sat between Twickenham and Teddington you can find Jawbone Brewing. Run by Ben, this independent brewer produces a range of beers that are sold in local pubs and off licences. What I particularly appreciate about Jawbone is that Ben has opened a tap room at the brewery and hosts regular comedy and quiz nights. Enjoying a pint, next to the brewing barrels, with your neighbours, listening to some comedy – that’s a pretty nice way to spend a few hours. A variety of beers are brewed, personally I like the Tailwater Table Beer, at 3.4% it’s very easy to drink.
https://www.jawbonebrewing.com/
Bread (Teddington)
Around Teddington and the surrounding Hamptons, there’s one place everyone goes to buy their daily bread. Cavan Bakery. Their shops, with their distinctive deep-purple awnings, are dotted throughout the area. Founded in 1929, the bakery recently moved into a new factory in nearby Walton-on-Thames, supplying bread to the shops, as well as more than 100 wholesale customers. Surplus food goes to local community kitchens and food banks, and the company is currently introducing a fleet of electric vehicles to deliver their products. My favourite purchase is the multi-seed sourdough – though my son’s is most definitely their gingerbread characters (which change throughout the year).
Freshly baked at Cavan Bakery
https://thecavanbakery.co.uk/aboutus/
Cakes (Teddington)
A relatively new arrival on Teddington high street is Parsnips café, selling a selection of sweet and savoury pastries as well as your cappuccinos and lattes. The cafe sources its food as locally as possible. Much of it comes from across London including Wandsworth’s Toast Rack Bakehouse and Hackney Gelato. But my special mention will go to their cakes – made by Shani – which are very quickly devoured.
Sweets and treats in Parsnips café
Gin (Kingston)
From Teddington, the Thames path eventually hits Kingston. This is the very edge of Greater London. The town has a long history – the first surviving record of Kingston is from 838. But I want to mention a new producer. One that sprang out of the COVID lockdowns. Bone Idyll distillery is owned by married couple Sam and Alex. They got funding for the gin distillery from the local community, and it opened, along with a bar, in June 2022. If you’ve got plenty of time, you can even go to school there, where they will teach you about making gin – and then allow you to distill, bottle, and label your own batch of gin. How about one called “Happiness is Near-By”?
