Wind in the Willows - the Thames riverside from Richmond to Twickenham

Your fantasy of classic English countryside come true in the city. This stretch of the River Thames will put you in mind of boating holidays with Mole and Ratty, unless your first thought is of Ted Lasso! Talking especially of women's lives working at court as maids of honour, royal mistresses and queens (and sculptors and salon-holders), we see a wide village green, narrow lanes, the Tudor gatehouse of Richmond Palace, Old Deer Park. swimming birds and working boathouses. Crossing Richmond Bridge we walk southwards along the river, passing Marble Hill House and other mansions with parklands and gardens, along with an octagonal masterpiece building and the old White Swan pub, where we'll take a break. On and off amongst the wildflowers and shrubbery you have views of the other side of the river, boats floating by and dogs paddling in the rushes. It's dreamy, and near the end you'll see the Naked Ladies statues and Eel Pie Island, famous for big-star rock concerts in the 1960s. You'll also see the church and old lanes of Twickenham before coming to the high street, where Twickenham rail station is near or you can hop on a quick bus back to Richmond. It's a slightly longer walk because everyone wants to dawdle and soak up the gentle beauty.

The Naked Anthropologist is Laura's longtime blog, now dedicated to historical walks that highlight issues of Gender, Sex and Class.

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