Inventory Site Record

The origins of the Thames Path date from the 1750s onwards as the riverside towpath established by the Thames Commissioners when the Thames was an important trade route to London. In the C20th leisure use replaced trade and much of the old towpath is now the Thames Path, a national trail that opened in 1996 following the river from its source in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier. It represents important open space in the boroughs through which it passes, and in Hammersmith & Fulham it runs from the end of Chiswick Mall (Hounslow) in the west to Chelsea Creek (Kensington and Chelsea) in the east.

Site location:

From Chiswick Mall (level with downstream end of Chiswick Eyot) to Chelsea Creek.

Postcode:

W6/SW6

What 3 Words:

talent.across.caged

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Hammersmith & Fulham

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

The official PLA towpath is on the south bank. Access unrestricted

Special conditions:

As a public footpath, cycling is generally not permitted. Check National Trail for parts accessible to cyclists.

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Ravenscourt Park, Stamford Brook, Putney Bridge (Dist), Hammersmith (Picc, Dist, Hamm & City). Bus: 33, 72, 209 283 419 HB. 14 22 39 74 85 93 265 220 270 C4 PB.28 295 C3 WB

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/11/2011

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ThamesPath/; www.thames-path.org.uk

The Thames Valley has been important since it was settled in prehistoric times and from medieval times the river was an important trading route, London destined to become the busiest port in the world. By the late C18th the Thames Commissioners had established the towpath between Lechlade and Putney and the Thames Path today is on much of this route. The towpath switched from one side of the river to the other as the result of some landowners refusing permission to cross their land, or natural obstacles that necessitated this. In some cases ferries were set up to take horses across the river at these points. The towpath and the Thames itself ceased to be used for trade over the course of the C20th, and the river is now predominantly used for leisure. The Thames Path national trail was created in 1996 and now covers 184 miles from the source of the river in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier at Woolwich.

In Hammersmith & Fulham the Thames Path runs from the end of Chiswick Mall (Hounslow) in the west to Chelsea Creek (Kensington and Chelsea), in the east. The river is not visible from the first part of the Path as there are houses on both sides of Chiswick Mall; Hammersmith Terrace originally had a river walk for the residents but this was absorbed into the back gardens around 1885. The river comes into view as the Path enters Upper Mall, passing through Upper Mall Open Space (q.v.) and then past numerous large houses. The acacias in front of Rivercourt House were planted by Naomi Mitchison and Phoebe Stabler to replace three elm trees reputedly planted by Queen Catherine in memory of her husband Charles II. From Dove Passage the Path enters Furnivall Gardens (q.v.), and is part of Lower Mall. From here it passes public houses, rowing club headquarters and private housing before passing under Hammersmith Bridge. The Path follows the river for a short while before going inland. There are a number of mature trees in the housing estate beside the path, and a seat on the embankment. The path then goes through Queens Wharf building. Here there is a small water garden in the atrium of the building; there is no access but windows onto it are uncovered during office hours. The Path then skirts Riverside Studios before returning to the river and is now almost continuous to Fulham. Buildings range from architect-designed houses through private developments to social housing and sheltered accommodation and there are some commercial buildings, both new and re-used. Many of the developments have gardens that are visible from the Path, although access is restricted. Where the developments are not open to the river, trees and shrubs have been planted and seats and waste bins provided.

There are two open spaces in the west of the Fulham part of the Path. The first is Rowberry Mead, which is mainly grass rising to the red-brick school. Just by the river is a sunken play area suitable for ball games, and another with a slide. The whole forms a complex concrete shape, brightly decorated with graffiti. The second is Stevenage Park, a small undulating area of grass and trees by Eternity Wharf. River Gardens is a block of flats that surrounds a private garden, which as two ponds with fountains and planting, and is visible from the Path. It now skirts Craven Cottage, Fulham Football Club ground; a riverside walk is to be included in the redevelopment plans. The final section of this part of the Path on the Hammersmith & Fulham side of Putney Bridge is through Bishop’s Park (q.v.).

The Path goes under Putney Bridge, but apart from a small area of garden in the flats at Willow Bank, the river is not seen until the far side of Hurlingham Park (q.v.), which contains the only area of the bank subject to regular flooding on the north side of the Thames in the borough. There is access along the riverside frontage of the superstores just before Wandsworth Bridge. Only part of the riverbank has been redeveloped along Townmead Road. The main area is around the Sainsbury’s in William Morris Way and the flats to the south of this. There is good planting in the grounds of the flats, and a lot of evergreen planting around the store and its car parks. Finally the Path re-joins the river at Chelsea Harbour (q.v.) before it crosses Chelsea Creek in RB Kensington and Chelsea. Further developments are planned along the river and a new park is included in plans for the old Imperial Gasworks site.

Sources consulted:

E Arthur 'Hammersmith Riverside; personalities and places [privately published]; Denny 'Places to visit along the Thames Path in Hammersmith and Fulham: a guide by local children'; L Hatts 'Walks along the Thames Path' (1990); Bridget Cherry and Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England London 3: North West' (Penguin, 1999 ed) pp.216-218, 242-245; S Hardingham 'London; a guide to recent architecture 1993' (Artemis) p36-42; D M Browne 'A plan for Fulham Reach' (LB Hammersmith & Fulham, 1973)

Grid ref:

TQ220817 (west); TQ265769 (east) (522017,178147)

Size in hectares:

70

Site ownership:

Land crossed is owned by numerous individuals/organisations e.g. Port of London Authority

Site management:

National Trails Management Group/LB Hammersmith & Fulham Highway Authority

Date(s):

1750s; C20th post-war

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII*: 7 Hammersmith Terrace; Nos.12, 14, 26 Upper Mall. LBII: Nos. 1a, 1-16 (not 7) Hammersmith Terrace; Black Lion Public House (Black Lion Lane); Nos. 13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 60 Upper Mall (including old boundary walls of 17 and 19 and gates and railings of 60); Porch of former Ship Inn (Upper Mall); 6-12 Lower Mall; Fulham Football Ground [note due for redevelopment]

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

All the Thames Path is within conservation areas

Tree Preservation Order:

Yes

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Metropolitan Importance

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Thames and Thameside Area of Special Character

Other LA designation:

Many TPOs on private property along Malls.