Chelsea Bridge walk

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If you want to go to Chelsea.

This is a bit of a hike and you should allow two to two and half hours for a walk that takes in four of London's Bridges that are historically connected as either they were planned as replacements for each other or designs planned for one site ended up being used at another. The walk can be done either way but beginning at Wandsworth allows you to take the extended river boat service to the start point and walk away from London's least attractive bridge. On the other hand the area just to the west of Wandsworth Bridge is the beginning of beautiful River Wandle Trail . The alternative to arriving by boat is to take a train to Wandsworth Town Station or the 28, 44, 295, 37, 77 bus routes.

Once in Wandsworth head for York Road and then the Thames Path which unfortunately is a bit erratic on this stretch of the river due to construction work being done just down river of Wandsworth Bridge. However it is still an easier and more interesting walk than the Northern Shore and after passing under Battersea Railway Bridge hugs the shore much more closely. Just after the rail bridge on the opposite shore you can see the Chelsea Harbour Bascule Bridge.

 

The Thames Path goes through the graveyard of St Mary's Church before continuing on to Battersea Bridge. Interesting though it can be to pass by Norman Foster's Headquarters and peek into the offices near Ransome Dock the stroll on the Chelsea side has a bit more going for it plus Battersea Bridge is a delight to walk over.

 

Walk east along the northern riverbank towards and underneath Albert Bridge and then take the stairs to the bridge itself and cross towards Battersea Park. Take a stroll along the park's embankments towards Chelsea Bridge. You've a number of options here Queenstown Road Station is nearby on the South Side or walk under Chelsea Bridge coming up on the East side and cross the bridge. If you carry straight on Sloane Square tube station is a ten minute walk away or loop back along the Northern Embankment westwards towards Cadogan Pier at Albert Bridge and take the boat service (do check the times of these before setting out). More adventurous strollers might prefer to descend to the foreshore itself (at low tide and do be careful) and walk under the bridges.

 

If you want to complete the walk as far as Vauxhall Bridge head East underneath Grosvenor rail bridges past Dolphin Square. Quite close to Vauxhall Bridge it is possible to walk along the Thames Path at certain times of day and view the entry point of the Thames of the River Tyburn.