Urbanwalks
TM
Urbanwalks have mapped, designed and produced this
Park Walks booklet for Hounslow Council. For more
information about our products, activity solutions
and consultancy services, please visit us at:
www.urbanwalks.co.uk or call us on 0870 242 7507
urbanwalks
®
urban walking for a healthier life™
For more information on walking visit:
www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk
www.walklondon.org.uk
www.walk4life.info
For information about this booklet please
contact:
Public Health Team
London Borough of Hounslow
Tel: 020 8583 3327
Email: [email protected]
Welcome to Hounslow Park Walks
This parks walking booklet aims to encourage
the local community to get more physically
active whilst enjoying our wide variety of
local parks in Hounslow.
This booklet has been designed to support
you to develop a habit of regular physical
activity whilst achieving the recommended
levels of daily exercise. We want to
encourage you to get out there and walk,
and to get others to join you. The unique
format developed by Urbanwalks provides
a variety of routes of differing lengths to
suit a range of abilities. Why not start off
easy and build up to something longer
when you’re ready.
The Urbanwalks concept is recognised by
the Department of Transport as an example
of good practice in walking promotion.
Health benefits of walking
Significant health benefits can be obtained by
taking the right amount of physical activity.
Adults should aim to be active daily and
minimise the amount of time spent being
sedentary (sitting down). The current adult
recommendation is at least 30 minutes of
moderate intensity activity on five or more days
of the week. Brisk walking is the perfect
activity to help you meet the current
recommendations.
How much walking should I do?
Walking can help contribute to the maintenance
and improvement of health if it is of sufficient
intensity and regularity, and is performed for a
sufficient length of time. However, any walking
is better than none. People may need to build
up their level of activity gradually and for most
inactive people gentle strolling is a good
starting point.
Research shows that walking 10,000 steps a day
will significantly improve your health. You'll
typically use between 300 and 400 calories by
walking 10,000 steps. No one expects you to
walk 10,000 steps on the first day! If you aren’t
used to being active, start slowly and try to
increase it gradually.
Benefits of regular physical activity
Reduce high blood pressure – Moderate
intensity activity, such as brisk walking, appears
to be at least as effective in reducing blood
pressure as more vigorous activity.
Prevention of Diabetes – Exercise greatly
reduces the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Helps reduce weight – Physical activity in
combination with a healthy diet can help to
reduce weight and maintain weight loss.
Mental health benefits – Activity can help to
reduce anxiety and depression. It also helps to
improve self confidence.
Reduces risk of falls – Especially in the
elderly. Physical activity can improve balance,
co-ordination and joint flexibility.
Prevents development of Osteoarthritis
and Osteoporosis in certain groups.
Increases strength in your heart, lungs and bones.
Improves your mobility and general well-being.
Provides you with more energy and promotes
a better night’s sleep.
How will I feel ?
Whilst being physically active you may feel
some changes happening to the body, these are
normal for everyone, and here is a list to help
you understand.
You may feel a little out of breath, this is fine
as long as you are able to hold a conversation
without gasping for air.
You may feel a little clammy and warm, which
is due to increased blood flow around the body.
You may feel a little aching in your muscles
(calf, thighs, etc). This is due to the body undertaking increased activity. Ensure you work at a
moderate level and do not over do it.
What will I need?
A good pair of shoes that are comfortable and
provide good support. Your footwear does not
have to be expensive just sensible.
Take some water with you. Make sure you
don’t allow yourself to become thirsty as this
indicates that you are dehydrated. Drink little
sips often, especially if you are sweating.
Take a hat if it’s sunny and wear layers of
clothing to prevent overheating. Also take a
waterproof if it’s raining.
Measuring your progress
Hounslow Travel Active is all about getting the
residents & visitors of Hounslow walking and
cycling to improve our health, reduce our carbon
footprint & enjoy the Borough and it's surroundings.
Join our interactive website and start to keep track
of your walking. On the site you can set yourself
goals, keep an eye on your progress and get in
touch with other people to challenge your friends.
Visit www.hounslowtravelactive.co.uk
Find out more about Hounslow
History
Hounslow Heath is one of the largest parks in
Hounslow and was once the hunting ground of
Henry Vlll. Later it was a haunt for highwaymen
robbing visitors making their way to London.
You can still find Roman and Italian architecture
over at Chiswick House and Gardens famous
for its 300ft conservatory. Gunnersbury Park
was once, the home of Amelia, daughter of
George ll. In 1917 Hanworth Park was used as
an airfield and bi-plane factory and then in the
1930’s for Zeppelin air ships.
Wildlife
In the spring you’ll find bluebells and in the
summer you can find half of the UK’s butterfly
species in Cranford and Avenue Park. You can
also find over 350 plant and 155 bird species at
Bedfont Lakes Country Park.
Rivers and Canals
Heron and kingfishers can be regularly seen along
the river in Crane Park. You can continue to
walk through the woods along the boardwalks
following the path of the River Crane through
Donkey Wood.
Urban Delights
Lampton Park home to Hounslow’s many outdoor festivals and events is also great for a
lunchtime walk.
You can walk through the meadows, ornamental
lawns, and around the lake until you find
Hounslow’s oldest collection of local paintings
at Boston Manor House in Boston Manor Park.
All the parks that we have featured in this booklet are
easily accessible by car or public transport.
Why not discover
another park in
Hounslow?
On the map below we have supplied the postcodes for
each start point which will make it easier for you to
find your way there. For information about these parks
or any other parks in Hounslow please visit:
www.hounslow.info/parks
Gunnersbury Park
W3 8LQ
Boston Manor Park
TW8 9JX
Cranford Park
TW5
R
TO
MO
Y
WA
CHISWICK
OSTERLEY
M4
HESTON
CRANFORD
HEATHROW
AIRPORT
Donkey Wood
TW14 0HP
BRENTFORD
Lampton Park
TW3 4DN
A4
Chiswick House
& Gardens
W4 2PQ
ISLEWORTH
HOUNSLOW
Hounslow Heath
TW4 5AB
Bedfont Lakes
TW14 8QA
FELTHAM
BEDFONT
Crane Park
TW13 5QR
HANWORTH
Hanworth Park
TW13 5EG
RIVER THAMES
CIVIC CENTRE
Chiswick House and Gardens
1. From Park Road entrance, walk straight ahead
keeping the lake on your left hand side.
2. At the classical bridge bear right and continue
walking. At the Obelisk take the 2nd pathway.
ROSE
GARDEN
5
3. Cross over the lake at the Cascade and follow the
path in front of Chiswick House passing the café
and play area on your left.
PLAY
AREA
4
SHELTER
6
LAMPTON
PARK
1
TENNIS
COURTS
3
ROAD
LAMPTON
2
4. After the play area bear left along the outer avenue;
then take the 2nd left path towards the Italian
Gardens and conservatory.
5. At the steps turn left, then take the 2nd path to
your right towards an archway and gate.
6. At the back of Chiswick House turn right; then take
the next left path towards the lake. Keep the lake on
your left until you arrive back where you started.
> Distance = One mile / 2400 steps
> This walk should take around 15 - 20 minutes
Lampton Park
A4
1. From Lampton Road enter Lampton Park through
the gates and walk straight ahead.
CAR
PARK
CHISWICK
HOUSE &
GARDENS
5
CLASSICAL
BRIDGE
1
ITALIAN
GARDEN
4
PLAY
AREA
2
CAFE
5. This time continue walking straight ahead bearing
right with the path passing the Civic Centre on your
left and the play area on your right.
LAN
E
6
CHISWICK
HOUSE
6. Walk past the play area then take your next left
to exit the park.
> Distance = One mile / 2400 steps
> This walk should take around 15 - 20 minutes
CONSERVATORY
3
E
LAN
TON
G
IN
RL
BU
OBELISK
BU
RL
IN
G
TO
N
4. Take your next left and continue walking full circle
around the playing field (passing point 3) until you
arrive back where you were at the start of point 4.
PA
RK
3. Take your next right turn towards the shelter in
the centre of the park (please note, this route is a
figure 8 route so you will walk this path twice).
RO
AD
2. Turn left into the park and follow the path around
to your right passing the tennis courts on your right.
Hanworth Park
1
BOSTON
MANOR
HOUSE
6
2. At the corner of the field turn left and walk along
the edge of the field keeping the woods on your right.
WA
Y
3. Continue bearing right with railings then take the
grassed path straight ahead towards the houses and
road.
AD
RO
MO
TO
R
R
NO
MA
M4
ON
ST
BO
2
1. Starting at the car park bear right to join the
footpath and continue walking with the field on your
left hand side.
CAR
PARK
3
4. Turn left after the 2nd tree then walk straight ahead
towards the play area.
BOSTON
MANOR
PARK
5
5. Just before the play area turn left along grassed
path heading towards the round of trees, where you
will turn right.
MEADOW
4
EXIT
A4
Boston Manor Park
UX
B
RO RID
AD GE
SPORTS
CENTRE
2
PLAY
AREA
HANWORTH
PARK HOUSE
1
3
4
CAR
PARK
FOOTBALL
PITCH
HANWORTH
PARK
RUGBY
PITCH
AY
W
Please note. The grassed area walking through the meadow at point 4
may get muddy during wet weather so please take this into consideration.
> Distance = One and a quarter miles / 3000 steps
> This walk should take around 20 minutes
LE
ST
CA
1. Starting at the junction of Boston Manor Road and
Boston Gardens, walk into Boston Manor Park and
walk left around the lake.
2. Continue straight ahead towards the M4 passing
Boston Manor House and the walled garden on your left.
3. Turn right after the car park to walk under the M4
motorway flyover and continue walking to the end of
the path.
4. Turn right onto the grass and walk along keeping
the meadow on your right.
5. Turn left after the trees then continue straight
ahead passing back under the motorway flyover then
bear right to join the foot path.
6. Take your next left path towards the lake. Continue
on keeping the lake on your right until you arrive back
to where you started.
> Distance = One mile / 2400 steps
> This walk should take around 15 - 20 minutes
6. Turn right at the railings keeping the football
pitch on your left hand side then left again until you
arrive back at the car park where you started.
5
PLAY
AREA
6
TREES
HOUNS
LOW R
OAD
BOSTON
GARDENS
M4
6
CRANFORD
WOOD
1
ST DUNSTAN’S
CHURCH
1. Starting on Staines Road turn into Donkey Wood
and follow footpath straight ahead.
CAR
PARK
2
PARK WAY
CRANFORD
PARK
2. Turn right at the bridge and walk across a 2nd
bridge.
RIVER
CRANE
CRAN
FORD
3. Bear right across the footbridge with metal railings
and continue walking straight ahead.
4. Walk straight ahead onto the boardwalk keeping
the water on your right hand side.
E
TH
3
5. Continue through a gate until you arrive at the
Causeway Bridge.
AVENUE
PARK
LAN
E
HI
GH
ET
RE
T
S
PAR
KL
A
Donkey Wood
Cranford and Avenue Park
Please note. This route can get muddy so please take care not to slip
and wear appropriate footwear.
6
GR
EE
N
NE
LA
Please note. Access through Avenue Park to Cranford Park is suitable for
cyclist and push chairs. Enter Avenue Park from Park Lane and follow path until
you cross a metal bridge to point 2 of the above route. Distance = Extra half a
mile / 8-10 minutes eachway.
> Distance = One and a half miles / 3600 steps
> This walk should take around 20 - 25 minutes
5
R
VE E
RI AN
CR
1. From the car park at Cranford Park, walk along the
path you just drove up then half way along bear right
onto grass to join the footpath and bear right keeping
the River on your left.
2. Continue straight ahead at the next left turn (to
Avenue Park) and stay in front of the tree line all the
way around the field.
3. At the top of the field continue straight ahead into
the trees then bear left into the woodland area.
4. At a T junction walk ahead through gap in the wall
then turn right keeping the woodland on your right.
5. At the stable building walk down the slope then
turn right and through the archway.
6. Turn left through gates passing the church on your
left to arrive back at the car park.
> Distance = One and a half miles / 3600 steps
> This walk should take around 20 - 25 minutes
6. Turn around and walk back retracing your steps
back to Staines Road. Alternatively you can exit the
walk on to the causeway bridge, just half the
distance and timings.
CA
U
BR SEW
IDG AY
E
5
4
4
GOLF
COURSE
DONKEY
WOOD
3
2
1
S
INE
STA
AD
RO
CAR
PARK
1. From the car park, walk through the gates then
turn left and walk over the bridge and continue
straight ahead towards the play area.
6
1
MUSEUM /
MANSION
2
Bedfont Lakes Country Park
LA NE
STABLES
2. Bear left at the play area to take the outer pathway and continue along until the path turns into
two paths where you will take the right hand path.
5
PLAY
AREA
PAVILION
FOOTBALL
PITCHES
L
NE
LIO
AD
RO
GOTHIC
BOATHOUSE
4
H
NT
POTOMAC
POND
GUNNERS BURY AVENUE
GUNNERSBURY
PARK
M4
3
Gunnersbury Park
1. From the car park follow the path straight down into
Gunnersbury Park then turn right keeping the play area
on your left.
2. Turn left, still keeping the play area on your left and
continue straight, walking past the pavilion. Then take
your next right path bearing right to walk all the way
around the pond.
3. Take the outer path towards the Lionel Road North
entrance then turn left back into the park heading towards
the gothic boathouse keeping the lake on your left.
4. Keep right taking the outer pathway with the office
buildings on your right. Continue towards the ruins and
archway until you arrive at the stables.
5. Turn right at the stables over a small bridge and walk
towards the two big white houses. Walk between the
houses and turn left.
6. Take the next path to your right then your 2nd left and
at the pond turn right to continue around the pond past
the temple until you arrive at the T junction where you
first started by the play area.
> Distance = One and three quarter miles / 4200 steps
> This walk should take around 25 - 30 minutes
3. Continue straight ahead at all times and after the
path bears right up a slight incline turn left.
4. Continue straight ahead to walk around the Fishing
Lake.
5. Bear right at the play area, keeping the lake on
your right then at the wooden climbing frame turn
left and then right.
6. Continue walking ahead bearing left with the path
and at the end of North Lake bear right and take the
next left to walk back to where you started.
> Distance = One and three quarter miles / 4200 steps
> This walk should take around 25 - 30 minutes
BE
DF
ON
T
CLO
CKH
OUS
E L
AN
E
POPES
5
FISHING
LAKE
4
1
MOTTE
LAKE
2
NORTH LAKE
PLAY
AREA
6
SOUTH LAKE
PLAY
AREA
RD
3
BEDFONT
LAKES
CAR
PARK
Hounslow Heath & Brazil Mill Wood
2
SHOT
TOWER
3
6
CRANE
PARK
4
5
AD
RO
Y
E
S
ERT
CH
T
EA
GR
Crane Park
1. Starting at the car park turn left and walk along Staines Road.
At the traffic lights cross over and continue on Staines Road. At
the next set of traffic lights cross back over Staines Road, then
turn left and then right through the gate for Brazil Mill Wood.
2. Take the path on your left and continue keeping the water
on your left until you arrive at a bridge.
3. Turn left at the bridge and up the slope onto the golf course
then continue straight ahead. At the crossroads walk straight
ahead and turn right through a gate onto Hounslow Heath.
4. Turn right along grassed path and bear right to stay with
outer path then take your 1st left following the green arrows.
Continue straight ahead following the greener path through
the centre of the trees.
5. At the next crossroads (bench on right) turn right then take
your 2nd left passing post with U on it and continue ahead
towards the high rise flats.
6. At the next crossroads turn right following yellow way
markers and pass the South East Wood entrance. At the next
crossroads continue ahead through the narrow hedgerow then
turn right onto a stone path and continue until you arrive back
where you started.
> Distance = One and three quarter miles / 4200 steps
> This walk should take around 40 - 45 minutes
1
2. Continue walking straight ahead bearing left at
the Shot Tower.
3. Bear left with the path and continue straight
ahead towards the Great Chertsey Road.
4. At the end of the path turn right onto the Great
Chertsey Road and cross over the River Crane.
5. Take your next right hand path, through some
gates and walk along the new footpath.
6. Continue walking straight ahead following the
footpath until you arrive back at Hanworth Road.
> Distance = Two miles / 4800 steps
> This walk should take around 30 - 35 minutes
BABER
BRIDGE
ES
AIN
T
S
ON
PT
AM AD
FR RO
1. Starting on Hanworth Road at the sign post for
Crane Park, turn right along the River Crane and
follow the tarmac pathway.
CAR
PARK
RD
2
GOLF
COURSE
4
BRAZIL MILL
WOOD
3
HOUNSLOW
HEATH
5
HEDGEROW
6
SOUTH EAST
WOOD ENTRANCE
RD
H
RT
O
NW1
A
H
HA
NW
OR
TH
AD
RO
Hounslow
Health Walks
Free weekly walks in your
local area
• Take some gentle exercise
• Meet new people
• Discover local green space
• Walk safely within a group
• Help reduce the risk of coronary
heart disease and diabetes
• Help manage your weight
For more information:
Telephone: 020 8583 3327
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.hounslow.gov.uk/walks
Hounslow Travel Active
Hounslow Travel Active is a new interactive website
to help residents and employees of Hounslow to
walk and cycle around our beautiful Borough. On
the website you can:
• Log your walking and cycling trips to calculate
distance travelled / calories burned
• Plot your walking and cycling routes on our
journey map and share with friends
• Challenge family and friends to be more active
• Use the 'cycle study' function to inform of routes
you think should be improved for walking and
cycling
Register today at www.hounslowtravelactive.org
Get Active at Your
Local Leisure Centre
Hounslow Health
Champions
The Hounslow Community
Health Champions programme
is a fantastic way of giving
people one to one support to
help them make small but
meaningful changes to their
lifestyle. This could include:
PROMOTING HEALTH
IN HOUNSLOW
• Being more active
• Eating more healthily
• Help losing or maintaining weight
• Stopping smoking
• Encouraging positive mental health and wellbeing
For more information: Telephone: 020 8583 3136
Email: [email protected]
We have seven local leisure and sports centres and seven
community venues in Hounslow. You can drop in whenever
it suits you, or take advantage of our flexible membership
packages which offer excellent value and no long term
contract. There’s also a huge variety of sports and community
activities and events for you to enjoy all year round. We
have a huge variety of energetic and relaxing activities,
sessions and courses for people of all ages and abilities.
Our centres are: Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre,
Hanworth Airpark Leisure Centre & Library, Heston Pool,
Isleworth Leisure Centre & Library, New Chiswick Pool,
Lampton Sport Centre and Osterley Sports & Athletics
Centre.
For more information about what’s available in your
area, go to www.hounslow-leisure.com or telephone:
0845 456 6675*
*bt call charged max 5 pence per minute, other providers may vary.