Charming Chiswick
Ravenscourt Park tube station, London
Guided by Alison
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 November 2024 | Special | 10.45 am | 12.45 pm | Winter | |
| 23 November 2024 | Tour du Jour | 10.45 am | 12.45 pm | Winter | |
| 8 December 2024 | Special | 10.45 am | 12.45 pm | Winter |
Old, picturesque, storied, full of character, riverine, tucked away on its isthmus, sitting pretty – that’s Chiswick.
Comes of ancient stock. The name means ‘cheese-farm.’ And ancient? Chiswick’s been answering to its name for 1,000 years. Cheese-farm and Thameside fishing village. How honest-to-goodness is that? The church, St Nicholas, goes back to 1181. Its present incarnation is a comparative youngster – 15th century.
There’s 16th-century Walpole House on the Mall. There’s Chiswick’s magnificent riverside promenade – the lazy river, the singing summer sky, the architectural feats and feasts – a stroll along that past-cosseted passage is a guaranteed medicine for melancholy.
There are cafes and specialist shops and handsome old pubs. Say it again – proclaim it – old riverside pubs. The photo-op of the walk has to be the Dove.
It’s a tracking shot because the Dove is reached by a narrow path winding through a cluster of houses. Every step along there “teems with reminiscences of poets, men of letters and artists: let us therefore softly tread; ’tis hallowed ground” (Edward Walford).
And it’s not just the shades of Thackeray and Hemingway and Graham Greene and John Fowles haunting the byways and pubs and groves of Chiswick, here we’re also deep into Arts & Crafts territory. We will pass William Morris’s London home and learn about a perfectly preserved London interior that he visited regularly. Rich repast, this walk through this olde-worlde riverside village. Pastoral perfection, a rural idyll in London.
There are so many places to eat and drink why not enjoy a leisurely lunch before you shop or retrace steps and enjoy a pint at one of the many riverside pubs? Depending on your taste Alison is happy to make suggestions, there is something for everyone.
N.B. the walk takes about two hours and ends on the High Road, very near Turnham Green Tube.
CHARMING CHISWICK – THE PRACTICALS
To go on the Charming Chiswick walk meet Yorkshire lass Alison just outside the exit of Ravenscourt Park Tube.
Alison will be holding up a London Walks sign.
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“Without a doubt the best walking tour company currently operating in London” Stardust
“by far the most impressive series of walks that I have ever encountered are those offered by London Walks” Travel & Enjoy
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public Charming Chiswick walk do think about booking one as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Charming Chiswick walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Niamh or Peter or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk is good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group. And the clincher: a private London Walk makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a very special gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
Brian –
I enjoyed the walk. Whilst I have some knowledge of the streets/the area, it was good to hear stories associated with particular places and to have local landmarks pointed out and explained. The walk is done at an easy pace. Alison’s presentation was always clear and informative. I would recommend the walk.
Liz Dodgson –
I have been on this walk several times and enjoy it every time.
The reasons for this are 1) it is a lovely location. It combines a stroll out of the hustle and bustle along Chiswick Mall (fine historical houses next to the river) ending up in Chiswick High Road hosting its many restaurants, individual boutique shops and Coffee shops. Here you can sit outside and watch the busy world going by.
2) Alison, the guide, researched and wrote this walk many years ago. She knows many more interesting facts about the area than she could possibly convey during the time of the walk. so, she is able to adapt it somewhat to her audience and I seem to learn something different and new every time I go on it. Being a teacher in a former life, her voice is in fine fettle and she is used to marshalling unruly crowds in the streets and gets us standing safely where we need to be to hear her and to see what is of interest. 10 out of 10, go to the top of the class Alison!
I would thoroughly recommend this walk whether your interests are architectural, literary, or just being nosy about people’s lives past and present like I am.
Amanda –
A fabulous and informative walk through an exceptionally pretty and historic riverside area of London which my husband & I did not know, despite having lived in London for many years. Alison was a perfect guide, warm & humourous, full of great anecdotes and a wealth of information about the areas historic buildings, their famous residence and a vivid history of Hammersmith and Chiswicks former incarnations. A very enjoyable and absorbing two hours and I would thoroughly recommend.
Susan –
Alison was a warm, thoughtful, highly prepared, and knowledgeable guide. Her presentation was organized, clear, and richly detailed. We had a perfect day for our river walk — wam and sunny — and this tour was the ideal introduction to a neighbourhood in London we had never visited before. Afterwards, we ate a delicious lunch at a fishmonger’s on Devonshire Road, followed up with an equally delicious gelato, and then went to Hogarth House.
Edwin Robinson –
What a terrifically fun walk through a fascinating area of London and led by an outstanding guide!
This walk is not often offered – seems to be about once a month – and I happened to be in London one of the available dates. I knew little about Chiswick so took a chance based upon the London Walks’ blurb and the previous reviews. The walk vastly exceeded my expectations.
The guide, Alison, is a fountain of knowledge about Chiswick and the walk she developed is a wonderful introduction to the area – to its architecture and the interesting people that have lived there. She paced the walk beautifully. I particularly enjoyed learning about William Hogarth and William Morris and will plan a solo trip to Chiswick to see their museums and St. Nicholas Church.
The peaceful calm of the Thames on a Sunday morning – which we walked along for a good portion of the 2 hours – belied the fact that central London is but a few miles away.
This walk is definitely in my top 3 or 4 of all the London Walks I have taken. Compliments to Alison for a very well developed and presented walk!
Carolyn –
Having never visited this area of London before, I didn’t know what to expect, but having now been there I will definitely be back. Alison was the perfect guide, speaking clearly and knowledgeably about this area, sharing lots of information and great stories too. It certainly is Charming Chiswick with interesting places around every corner.
Thank you, Alison.
Ruth –
It was Charming Chiswick and a very charming guide.
This was a present for me to an area of London that I am not familiar with at all.
Alison met us at the tube station and gave an informed and interesting commentary for the entire 2 hour tour. She added anecdotes about the architecture and the people who had lived here as well as the river and even expertly fielded a question about sculling.
The walking was well paced, the history was fascinating, and the tour was an excellent way to pass a Sunday morning
Josepha Murray –
I joined Alison yesterday for her Chiswick walk. I enjoyed being introduced to the quieter streets of Hammersmith and Chiswick by the river – a different world to the main roads. Alison was a fount of information and amusing stories. The group was quite large but she projected her voice so we could all hear.
Angela –
I never knew Chiswick had so much beauty and history! It truly is charming!! Alison knows her stuff and is a delightful guide because she really engages with all those on the tour. Two hours whizzed by! We did indeed return to one of her recommended pubs and had a lovely roast lunch!
Christine Morgan –
Beautiful part of London that I didn’t know much about. Alison was a fabulous guide – very well-organized and explained everything nicely. She also sent a warm welcome email the night before to give people some tips about where to get coffee beforehand, what to expect, etc.