Kingston to Teddington Lock via Canbury Gardens
Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
One of our favourite walks. In Canbury Gardens, the main path is the one to use - the lower riverside path here is popular with cyclists. But once you join the Thames Path beyond the gardens, switch to the lower path as the upper one becomes a shared route where cyclists are more frequent. The lower Thames Path is ideal - shadier, quieter, and has plenty of spots where dogs can get down to the water at the riverside.
Route breakdown
Distances are approximate and may vary depending on your route choices.
The Kingston to Teddington Lock walk via Canbury Gardens is Jay and Luna’s weekly route, and it is easy to see why it holds up week after week. Canbury Gardens is a long, leafy riverside park with mature trees and a Victorian bandstand, and it draws a genuinely social mix of dogs - there is no formal lead requirement here, and most mornings you will find several loose groups making the most of the wide grassy stretches. The path runs on two levels: the upper path is shared with cyclists, but the lower path - closer to the water and for pedestrians only - is the quieter option and better for off-lead walking.
Past the gardens, the path passes The Boaters Inn - a pub right on the riverside in Canbury Gardens with a boat club next door - before continuing along the Thames Path toward Teddington Lock. The river here has multiple informal grassy access points where dogs can wade freely - the water is above the tidal limit and runs calm and clear.
From The Boaters Inn, the path opens out onto Ham Lands, a stretch of rough grassland on the south bank between the gardens and Teddington Lock. Dogs are off-lead here throughout the year - there is no livestock on Ham Lands, though ground-nesting birds use the area from March to July. The walk ends at Teddington Lock, a working lock and weir where leads go back on near the gate structure.
Seasonal notes: March to July - ground-nesting birds are active on Ham Lands during this period. Ham Lands is not closed - keep dogs on a reliable close recall through the taller grassland sections rather than letting them range into the rough. Summer - the tree canopy along much of the route, particularly through Canbury Gardens and the approach to Ham Lands, makes this a good hot-weather walk. The lower path through the gardens stays shaded even on bright days, and the river access points along the Thames Path give dogs somewhere to cool off. Winter and wet weather - the lower path through Canbury Gardens can get slick after rain. Ham Lands holds water in the lower-lying sections after a wet week - waterproof boots are worth it from November through February.
Dog-friendly stops: The Boaters Inn (Canbury Gardens, Lower Ham Road, KT2 5AU) - right in Canbury Gardens next to the boat club. Dogs are genuinely celebrated here - they have an entire wall dedicated to photos of visiting dogs, and they take a Polaroid and stick it up when you visit. Dog treats available. You can buy food for the ducks to feed from the riverside. The terrace overlooks the river with a stunning sunset view, and the big beer garden often has live music at weekends. The Anglers (Broom Road, TW11 9NR) - cross the Teddington Lock footbridges to the Twickenham/Middlesex bank. A proper riverside spot with a big terrace and unhurried atmosphere. Dogs welcome outside. A good reward stop if you are continuing to the lock end of the walk.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do this walk as a loop?
A full circular route is approximately 9 to 10 miles. From Kingston, follow the south bank through Canbury Gardens, past The Boaters Inn, and Ham Lands to Teddington Lock. Continue along the south bank through Petersham to Richmond, then cross Richmond Bridge to the Twickenham (north/west) bank. Walk north along the Twickenham bank back towards Teddington Lock, then cross the Teddington Lock footbridges back to the Kingston/south bank side. This is a full-day walk. Note that Petersham Meadows is subject to a total dog ban from 1 April to 31 October under a PSPO - use the signed riverside diversion at the Petersham Nursery junction during this period.
Are dogs allowed off-lead on this walk?
Dogs can be off-lead in Canbury Gardens - there is no formal lead requirement in the park. The lower path (pedestrians only) through the gardens is better suited to off-lead walking than the upper path, which is shared with cyclists. From the gardens, keep dogs under close control near the boat club area beside The Boaters Inn. Ham Lands, on the south bank between the gardens and Teddington Lock, is open off-lead walking on rough grassland with no livestock. Dogs should be on lead near the lock weir and gate structure at Teddington Lock, where the current near the water is strong.
What is the best way to return to Kingston from Teddington Lock?
The train from Teddington station to Kingston station (South Western Railway) takes approximately 8 minutes - check current timetables at nationalrail.co.uk before visiting. The R68 and R70 bus routes also connect Teddington and Kingston - check current routes and stops at tfl.gov.uk. Alternatively, walk back the same route along the south bank, which takes approximately 80 to 90 minutes at a steady pace.
Plan this walk with live weather and dog-safe route info