How long is the Kew Gardens to Hammersmith walk?

The recorded route is 5.7 miles or 9.2 km. Continuous walking took approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, while the complete outing took around 3½ hours with stops and coffee.

Is the Kew to Hammersmith walk difficult?

No. It is a flat and straightforward paved riverside walk.

Yes. Follow the GPX from Kew Gardens Station to Kew Bridge, cross the bridge and join the north side of the Thames towards Hammersmith.

It is generally quieter than central London, although areas near riverside pubs and bridges can become busier at weekends.

Is the route wheelchair friendly?

The route was paved and straightforward when walked, but access conditions and path widths can change. Wheelchair and pushchair users should check current conditions before travelling.

Can I extend the walk?

Yes. The Thames-side route can be extended towards Putney or Richmond for a longer walk.

What is the best time of day for the walk?

Morning is usually quieter, while late afternoon can provide attractive light across the Thames and opportunities to stop at riverside pubs.

Is the walk suitable in winter?

Yes on suitable days, although walkers should check weather, river and path conditions before setting out.

Kew Gardens to Hammersmith Walk

Region: West London — Richmond upon Thames & Hammersmith

Places To Stay: Base yourself in Richmond for easy river access and iconic views, or stay near Hammersmith if you want an inner city vibe and leafy walks along the River Thames. Looking for more London walks? Head to my ‘Tube Trekking Guides‘ page.

Hotels near Kew & Hammersmith

Jump to route details

For a bigger selection of Central London accommodation, Booking.com has plenty of hotels, apartments and quirky stays to browse in Kew, Richmond, Chiswick and Hammersmith.

This Tube Trekking Thames walk from Kew to Hammersmith is one of those routes that quietly surprises you. It’s very London, but without the hustle and bustle. It’s calmer, greener, and far more local than the big-ticket central stretches of the river, you feel like you are one of the locals on this walk.

You’ll follow the Thames through leafy towpaths, past rowing clubs, elegant riverside houses, quiet pubs, and long open bends in the river where London slows right down. It’s flat, easy-going, and ideal if you want a proper walk without the crowds, noise, and constant stopping that comes with Zone 1.

I followed the route from Kew Gardens to Hammersmith, but it also works in reverse. Searchers starting in Hammersmith can follow the same GPX backwards, finishing near Kew Gardens Station. My recorded route was 5.7 miles and took approximately 2 hours 15 minutes of continuous walking, or around 3½ hours with stops and coffee.

Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map

Start: Kew Gardens Underground Station (District line / London Overground)
Finish: Hammersmith Underground Station serving the District and Piccadilly lines.
GPX: Download the GPX file here.
Route Finder: Follow this route on my Outdooractive profile.

Walk Profile

Distance: 5.7 miles / 9.2 km
Walking time: Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
Total time: Approximately 3½ hours with stops and coffee
Ascent/Descent: Flat throughout.
Difficulty: Easy.
Terrain: Paved riverside paths, pavements and towpaths throughout

Route Overview (Kew → Hammersmith)

Section	From → To	What to expect
1	Kew Gardens Station → Kew Bridge	Pass Kew Gardens, cross Kew Bridge and join the north side of the Thames.
2	Kew Bridge → Strand-on-the-Green	Rowing clubs, riverside houses, historic pubs and a quiet paved path.
3	Strand-on-the-Green → Chiswick Mall	Thames scenery, Chiswick Eyot and a waterside route beneath Barnes Railway Bridge.
4	Chiswick Mall → Hammersmith Bridge	Continue beneath Chiswick Bridge and follow the north bank towards Hammersmith.
5	Hammersmith Bridge → Hammersmith Station	Leave the river and finish at the District and Piccadilly line station.

1. Kew Gardens Station to Kew Bridge

From Kew Gardens Station, walk towards the entrance to Kew Gardens and continue to Kew Bridge. Cross the bridge, join the north side of the Thames and turn east towards Strand-on-the-Green and Hammersmith. The GPX removes any uncertainty during this opening urban section.

Once you reach the area around Kew Gardens, one of London’s green crown jewels, the atmosphere shifts again. Even before you drop down onto the Thames Path, the area feels noticeably calmer than most parts of the city. As soon as you reach the river and turn onto the towpath, that calm deepens — wide water, open skies, and the steady rhythm of the Thames setting the tone for the rest of the walk.

2. Kew Bridge to Strand-on-the-Green

The first stretch is classic West London river walking: you’ll see rowing clubs and rowers rowing up and down the Thames, with their coach blaring out instructions from a megaphone. It’s perfect for them as there are long stretches of river, with far more birds than buses, and long curved bends with bridges to navigate.

As you head toward Strand-on-the-Green, this is where the character of the walk really happens. This is one of the most picturesque riverside streets in London, lined with historic pubs and houses that sit almost right on the waterline. At low tide, the Thames pulls back dramatically here, exposing mudbanks and giving the whole place a timeless feel, but at the same time, this area of the walk suffers with floods at certain times of the year.

We also found a roadside coffee-and-cake stall along the way. Stops like this are why the complete outing took us around 3½ hours, even though the route itself can be walked continuously in approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

3. Barnes Railway Bridge and Chiswick Bridge

Continue along the north bank and pass beneath both Barnes Railway Bridge and Chiswick Bridge. The river bends and tightens here, with beautiful greenery on the opposite bank. In places, you can see the silhouette of central London, although it still feels surprisingly distant. I enjoyed this part so much that I started wondering how long it would take to continue all the way to Westminster.

4. Following the Thames to Hammersmith Bridge

Eventually, the outline of Hammersmith Bridge comes into view. It’s one of the Thames’ most distinctive crossings and this is where you leave the Thames and walk back into busy city streets and head towards Hammersmith Tube Station, which isn’t far away.

It’s a satisfying finish to this beautiful walk. Leave the Thames near Hammersmith Bridge, pass the famous Eventim Apollo and continue to Hammersmith Underground Station for the District and Piccadilly lines. We found the whole route paved, straightforward and safe during our walk, with no closures or diversions.

You can also walk the route in reverse, beginning at Hammersmith and finishing at Kew Gardens. The riverside navigation is the same, but follow the GPX backwards and remember to cross Kew Bridge before heading to Kew Gardens Station.

Places to Stay near Kew and Hammersmith

For a wider choice of accommodation around Kew, Richmond and Hammersmith, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through, from boutique hotels and serviced apartments to bigger chain places if you just want an easy base.

Recommended Stays

Stay in Kew near Richmond – Coach & Horses Hotel

This 17th-century inn is located by Kew Green, across from the Royal Botanical Gardens. Enjoy a great location, fine food and good public transport to Central London.

Stay in Hammersmith – Holiday Inn Express London

This modern hotel in West London is conveniently located and gives great access to Central London attractions such as The London Eye, Buckingham Palace and the Natural History Museum. Hammersmith Tube Station gives access to central London and Heathrow Airport. Guests are a five-minute walk from shops and the Hammersmith Apollo concert venue.

Practicalities

Season: All year. Spring and summer are especially good for greenery and river life.
Footwear: Trainers or light walking shoes are suitable for the paved route.
Food & Drink: Excellent riverside pubs and cafés, especially around Strand-on-the-Green and Hammersmith.
Toilets: Limited directly on the path — pubs and cafés are your best bet.
Dogs: Fine on lead; popular with dog walkers but still busy in places.
Closures: We encountered no closures or diversions, but riverside access can change, so check current notices before travelling.
Good for: Relaxed walking, photography, first-time Tube Trekkers, post-work strolls.