Chertsey and Weybridge

This 4 mile  circular walk goes along the Thames Path from Chertsey Bridge to Shepperton lock, crosses by ferry to Weybridge and returns through Chertsey Meads.  There is easy walking on the Thames Path, but the ferry involves steps and the way back through Chertsey Meads is across rough meadow-land that is wet in winter and is sometimes flooded.  

Car parks in Chertsey Meads, Dumsey Meadow, by Shepperton lock and near the ferry at Thames Street in Weybridge.  

Public Transport: Buses and trains to Chertsey.

Starting at Chertsey Meads in the first car park in Mead Lane near a children's play area, walk up the adjacent drive way looking for a footpath on the left side. This path crosses Bates Marina to Bridge Wharf. You can walk on the river side of the apartment blocks to get to Chertsey Bridge. Cross the bridge, and turn right in Dumsey Meadow, opposite the Kingfisher pub.  You are now on the Thames Path which you should follow around the river's edge, looking across to the marina and Chertsey Meads.  At the far side of Dumsey Meadow, continue along the Thames Path past the colourful houseboats. The path then runs along Dockett Eddy Lane, round Dockett Point, passed Thames Court pub to Shepperton Lock and the ferry. You are about half-way round the walk, so you may be interested in the cafes at the lock and in the Nauticalia shop, or pubs on both sides of the river.  

Crossing by the ferry, which can take wheelchairs, but these would have to be lifted up steps, you arrive in Weybridge.  The route now follows what was once 'The Thames Walk' designed by the Ramblers Association before the Thames Path became established as a National Trail.  Walk from the ferry along the path beside the mouth of the River Wey and along Thames Street to the Old Crown pub. At the pub, take a path (Church Walk) through to Jessamy Road.  Here turn right to walk to a green and cream coloured bridge entering Whittets Ait. The path goes along the driveway to reach the River Wey Navigation which is one of the oldest canals in the UK, now owned by the National Trust. A narrow foot bridge arches high over the Navigation giving a good view into the lock that takes boats down from the canal to the level of the Thames.  There are excellent information boards in the shed by the lock.  Then walk along the tow path for about half a mile, look for a small path on the right side that goes through some trees to Hamm Court Lane. In the lane, turn right for a short distance towards the entrance  to Hamm Court Farm. Take the footpath on the left side that goes beside a wood to get to the southern corner of Chertsey Meads.   The paths through the Meads are not all way-marked, but the ones to use are those that follow the direction of the pylons. These will bring you to a small river, the Bourne, and the more popular parts of the Meads. Continue on the line of the pylons until you get to the small road that is Meads Lane. Turn left and you will find your way back to the car park.

Chertsey Meads and Dumsey Meadows are both nature reserves described in 'Exploring theThames Wilderness: A guide to the natural Thames" by Richard Mayon-White and Wendy Yorke (Adlard Coles Nautical, 2013).