Stage 4 - Vauxhall Bridge to Teddington Lock - 4th July 2024

Setting off from Vauxhall Bridge

4th stage of my Thames Sea to Source 2024 challenge. This time 18 miles from Vauxhall to Teddington Lock which marks the end of the tidal Thames.

The walk takes in 20 bridges if you include Vauxhall & count Teddington Lock as 2 (there are 2 separate bridges). The Thames Path goes past the entrances to both Kew Gardens & National Trust Ham House – great for coffee & cake stops if you have memberships to either or both. I chose to stop at Ham House for refreshment plus to admire the colourful gardens.

I first did this stage in June on what was a very grey day. Me being me, I had to walk it again on a much more pleasant day. Needless to say, most of my photos are from my July walk.

February 2026 - I've got so behind in writing these blogs. Also, I've written in so much detail about my walks in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 that I've decided to stop giving a blow by blow account of each walk; instead I'll just add a few photos from the current year's walks. You can always go back to previous years for full details of each walk.

Wimbledon fortnight at Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station

Looking back downstream. Chelsea Bridge in the foreground and Grosvenor Railway Bridge behind it

Albert Bridge. surely the prettiest of the bridges over the Thames

Artist painting Albert Bridge

I do so love this notice!

Albert Bridge

World's End Estate. A social housing development completed in the 1970s

St Mary's Church Battersea

The Chelsea Harbour & Creek developments. Former Lots Road Power Station is now 260 apartments

Looking down to Wandsworth from under Battersea Railway Bridge

Looking down to Wandsworth

I love these houseboats

Wandsworth Park

Looking back downstream from Wandsworth Park

Putney Bridge

Lots of rowing clubs on the left and the new Riverside Stand at Fulham FC

The Riverside Stand. Even in January 2026 it has still not been finished

Harrods Furniture Depository - now apartments

Hammersmith Bridge. Closed to motor vehicles since 2019 following discovery of fractures

Barnes Bridge - a combined railway bridge and footbridge

Looking downstream from Barnes Bridge

Looking upstream towards Mortlake

Mortlake. Prone to flooding during high tides

Mortlake. The stone marks the official finish of the Boat Race

When I did this stage in June, as I was passing the entrance to Kew Gardens, the sun came out briefly, so I popped in for a quick walk around.

Back to July 2024 now.

Richmond Lock

Richmond Bridge

Petersham Meadows

Hammerton's Ferry runs March to October between Ham House & Marble Hill Park

Ham House

National Trust Ham House

Ham House is a great place to stop for coffee & cake

Marble Hill House on the other side of the river

Looking back at Richmond & The Petersham Hotel

Less than 2 miles now to Teddington

Teddington Lock

Teddington Lock

Beyond Teddington Lock

Teddington Lock weirs are amazing

The 2nd of the bridges at Teddington Lock during major refurbishment works

The weirs at Teddington Lock

Lovely day second time around. Having reached Teddington Lock I’d now completed 80 miles of my challenge.