Barnes Bridge — Attraction in London

This area is a hidden gem, perfect for strolling with a dog along the river through peaceful woodland, where occasional bench and fallen tree trunks offer a chance to sit back and take in the surroundings. Stone stairs lead down to the riverbanks when the tide is low, but a word of caution—some rocks can be slippery when wet.

My little dog and I love wandering towards Hammersmith Bridge, which is thankfully reopened for pedestrians and cyclists. Crossing over to the Hammersmith side, we usually pause for a drink at one of the pubs, a perfect spot to refresh and unwind. From there, we follow the river through Chiswick, passing some historic, traditional pubs— The Dove which is perched right on the banks, with balconies hanging over the water. If you keep walking, you’ll find the Old Ship pub, known for its great food, and further along, the Red Lion, another standout.

There’s also a charming little Italian café with gluten-free options, but it's quite small—so on rainy or winter days, indoor seating isn't available, but they put out tables in nice weather so you can sit and relax. Continuing our walk through Duke Meadows Park, we cross Barnes Bridge to reach the train station.

This route makes for a fantastic walk—you could complete it in around an hour and a half if you're focused, but I highly recommend slowing down to appreciate the wildlife, the boats drifting along the river, the striking Hammersmith Bridge, the elegant houses lining Chiswick's riverbanks, and, of course, the pubs.

Alternatively, if you choose to stay in Barnes, you won’t be disappointed. The area boasts plenty of pubs with excellent food, charming independent shops, lush parks, and picturesque riverside paths.

Getting here is easy—trains run from Waterloo, Vauxhall and Clapham Junction. On Sundays, trains to Barnes Bridge only run once an hour, but if you walk 15-20 minutes through the scenic Barnes Common Nature Reserve to Barnes Station, you'll have access to three trains per hour. You can also hop on the tube to Hammersmith or Chiswick and still enjoy a beautiful riverside walk.

It’s the perfect blend of nature...

Barnes Bridge Footbridge was added to the Railway Bridge between 1891 - 1895. It was made much stronger than other footbridges spanning The River Thames, to support the crowds that gather to spectate the closing stages of the University Boat Race. Stepped access to both sides. But we'll worth it for cyclists and pedestrians alike as the river views are spectacular! In close proximity to South of The River Thames : Barnes Bridge Overground Station to Waterloo, The Bull's Head Jazz Backroom (a must), Barnes Green, Barnes Village Pond, Barnes Common and Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine. In close proximity to North of The River Thames : Mile Alley, Duke's Meadows, a plethora and variety of sport's clubs, The Taskmaster's House, Chiswick Overground Station to Waterloo (other end of Mile Alley), Chiswick House and Gardens and...

With this bridge your can cross the river in foot or with your bike. This fully satisfies it's basic function. There are stairs at either end of the footpath, one from the station on the south bank and one leading down to the meadows of riverside Chiswick. There is a bike track to help push a bike up. Trains may trundle across on the adjacent track. The views of Barnes are classic. In normal times, unfortunately, airplanes from Heathrow thunder overhead for half the day every couple of minutes, but in these Covid times the flights and noise pollution are happily...