A Riverside Walk from Hammersmith to Chiswick

(24 reviews)

London audio tour: A Riverside Walk from Hammersmith to Chiswick

This is a 1.1mi walking tour

It takes an average of 45 mins to complete.

London

The United Kingdom

$7.99

Access all 26 locations offline with the VoiceMap app

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About the Tour

Hammersmith and Chiswick are two of London’s most attractive villages, so it’s not surprising that many famous public figures and artists have called the area home. This walking tour takes you on a journey from Hammersmith to Chiswick along a stretch of the River Thames that’s dotted with historical pubs and magnificent Georgian mansions. Along with beautiful views, you’ll also discover the area’s fascinating past, starting with the extraordinary story of Hammersmith Bridge.

Other highlights include:

The Dove Inn and the tale of the disappearing second dove
The story of how the electric telegraph was first demonstrated in Hammersmith
The building where a 19th century women-only Sculling Club was founded
William Morris’s riverside home, which houses the printing press he used to print 66 volumes using his own typeface
A Georgian mansion that inspired Miss Pinkerton’s Academy in William Thackeray’s Vanity Fair
The house where Hamo Thorneycroft kept the plaster cast of his famous statue of Boudicca on Westminster Bridge
William Hogarth’s decorative tomb in St Nicholas churchyard in Chiswick
The only remaining Thames riverside brewery in London

Join me on this riverside amble filled with picture postcard moments and tales of yesteryear.

Tour Producer

Brian Cookson

20 tours

After qualifying as a Russian Interpreter during National Service, I obtained a BA in Russian and German at Oxford University. I spent most of my working life as a computer consultant, mainly working for IBM.
When I retired, I qualified as a London Blue Badge Tourist Guide. I lead guided walking tours all over London and have written two books - 'London Waterside Walks' and 'Crossing the River', published by Random House.
I have also given several presentations to members of the London Guild of Registered Guides for their continual development programme.
As can be seen by my two books, I am especially interested in London areas near the River Thames and the amazing collection of bridges from Tower Bridge to Richmond.
I have also been a volunteer guide at the Wallace Collection for 25 years and I also do guided tours ofWriter all of London's major museums and art galleries, including the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert.

Preview Location

Location 1

Hammersmith Bridge

Welcome! My name is Brian Cookson and I spent all my working life in London. After retiring, I trained as a London Blue Badge Guide and was especially drawn to the London Thames riverside. So much history and so many architectural gems can be found there. On this tour we will ... Welcome! My name is Brian Cookson and I spent all my working life in London. After retiring, I trained as a London Blue Badge Guide and was especially drawn to the London Thames riverside. So much history and so many architectural gems can be found there. On this tour we will explore the beautiful stretch of the North Bank of the Thames between Hammersmith and Chiswick, starting here as we look at the iconic Hammersmith Bridge.

William Tierney Clarke built the first suspension bridge in London here in 1827. He was also responsible for the bridge over the Thames at Marlow, and for the famous Chain Bridge over the Danube in Budapest. The present impressively decorative bridge was built in 1887 by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, who re-used the old piers and abutments from the original bridge.

Hammersmith Bridge has a chequered history. In 1919 Lt Campbell dived into the river off Hammersmith Bridge to save a woman who tried to commit suicide. She was saved, but he died. A plaque on the bridge commemorates his bravery. The bridge has suffered from problems of wear and tear and has had to be closed a number of times. Natural deterioration has not been the only danger to which Hammersmith Bridge has been exposed. The IRA has tried to blow it up on no less than three occasions, but with limited success.

Before we get going, I'll explain how VoiceMap works.

It uses your location to play audio along our journey at the right time and place; so, at this point, you can put your phone away. There will be times when I am quiet, but, do not worry, I will be with you when the time is right to give a commentary or directions. There is a map on your screen if you ever feel lost, and if you do get way off track without noticing, VoiceMap will let you know.

There's much to see, so let's get going!

Walk to you right along the riverside in the direction away from the bridge.

Not everyone has agreed with the aesthetic merits of this bridge. William Morris, who owned a riverside house in Hammersmith, called it simply ‘this ugly suspension bridge’. However today it stands as a monument to Victorian engineering and design, beloved by the public, and seen by millions as the Oxford and Cambridge boat race crews strain for victory as they pass underneath every year.

Unfortunately, it had to be closed in 2020 after cracks were discovered in the bridge's pedestals. The government and local council both initially refused to pay for repairs which would cost over £100 million. However, it is hoped that sufficient work will be done to allow cyclists and pedestrians to use it later in 2021. We await final agreement on the future of the bridge. Some are even suggesting that a new bridge should be built in its place to honour the Duke of Edinburgh.

Carry on along the riverside path, known here as Lower Mall. Note the river walls, which have had to be heightened to avoid flooding at high tide. Read More

View locations and route

How VoiceMap Works

Focus on your surroundings, not the screen

The VoiceMap app uses GPS to play audio automatically, at the right time and place, so you can focus on your surroundings, not the screen.

Follow a route with turn-by-turn-directions

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a fixed starting point. That lets us give turn-by-turn directions and use context to tell a better story.

Resume playback to go at your own pace

If you'd like to stop for a drink or go into a museum, end your tour then use the Resume feature to pick up exactly where you left off.

Listen as many times as you like

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Major Landmarks

Hammersmith Bridge
The Dove
Kelmscott House
Furnivall Gardens
Old Ship
Chiswick Eyot
Fuller's Brewery Shop & Tours
St Nicholas' Church
Hogarth's House

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Hammersmith Bridge, London W6 9XF, UK
Total distance

2km
Final location
Church St, Chiswick, London W4 2PH, UK
Distance back to start location

1km

Directions to Starting Point

It is best to use public transport to get to Hammersmith Underground Station. There are two stations. If you use the Circle or Hammersmith & City Line, you need to find the shopping mall where the District and Piccadilly lines exit. This is across Hammersmith Broadway. Then find the southernmost exit from the shopping mall. Cross Talgarth Road under the Flyover to reach The Apollo. Then walk to the right on the route under the flyover until you reach Hammesmith Bridge Road. Turn left and cross to the right hand side of the road. Then carry on to the riverside where the walk begins.

Show Directions

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Hammersmith Bridge, The Dove Inn, Kelmscott House, Fullers, Smith & Turner Brewery, St Nicholas Church and churchyard, Hogarth House.
FOOD & DRINK: Rutland pub, Blue Anchor pub, Dove Inn, Black Lion pub, Mawson's Arms

Best time of day

The tour can be taken any time during daylight hours.

Precautions

It is best to check http://thamestides.org.uk/ for possible flooding of the river path.

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“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”

App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”