Walk 16 - From Wimbledon, at the South-Western End of the District Line, to Putney
Walk Distance 7.5 Kilometres (4.5 miles)
Underfoot Good paths throughout
Journey Time (from Central London to Wimbledon) 30 minutes
Getting Back to Central London Return from Putney Railway Station
Points of Interest Wimbledon Village, Wimbledon Common, Putney Heath
Refreshments - Cafes and pubs near the start in Wimbledon Village and also at the end in Putney. There is also a cafe at the windmill in the centre of the common and the Green Man Pub at the top of Putney Hill.
Opportunities For Shortening This Walk - You can catch a 93 bus up the hill to Wimbledon Village and a 14, 37 or 85 bus at the other end to avoid the walk down the hill to Putney Station.
Route Directions
1. Come out of Wimbledon Station, cross the road and turn right. Cross two busy junctions using the traffic lights You are now going to walk gently uphill for a kilometre. If you would prefer to avoid this you can catch a No 93 bus at Bus Stop R which you are about to reach. (Take the bus for two stops to “Marryat Road” opposite the Rose & Crown Pub and pick up the route at the war memorial.) Otherwise continue up the road and come to Wimbledon Village which is full of cafes, shops, restaurants and pubs. At the first roundabout the road swings slightly to the right. At the second roundabout it swings to the left.
2. Continue to the end the village using the left-hand pavement. Wimbledon Common is now on your left and ahead of you is a war memorial. Walk up to the war memorial on the paved path and go around it it to continue in exactly the same direction. (See additional map below) After a few steps, reach a small road and look ahead to the first stretch of common to see a sandy/muddy track (depending on season) also going generally in the same direction but bending slightly to the right. Cross the road and follow the track for 140m to reach another road.
3. There is a track, directly opposite which goes straight ahead. It is divided into a wide bridleway on the right and a narrower footpath on the left. Cross the road and follow the footpath ignoring all turnings to left and right including a wide path which cuts across it diagonally after 500m. After walking 800m from the road (i.e. 300m beyond the diagonal crossing path) reach a large junction and turn turn 90 degrees right along the prominent crossing track which immediately curves gently to the right. This also has a separate walkers' footpath, this time on the right
4. Continue for 300m on this track until you see a golf course on your left. Leave the track and walk along the left hand edge of the golf course taking care not to inconvenience any golfers. You can now see a windmill to your right with some other buildings. Walk between the golf fairways towards the left hand corner of the buildings. Turn left and then immediately right to walk around the perimeter of the buildings. At a second corner turn right to reach the Windmill tea room.
5. Upon leaving the tea room turn right and walk through the car park between the first two rows of cars. Look ahead and see two footpaths. Do not take the broad right-hand path signposted "Capital Ring". Instead take the smaller left-hand path which leads towards a track which you can see entering the trees, 100m distant. Upon joining this, follow it for 50m to a junction of paths and turn left on a broad track. Walk for 300m and where the track divides, take the left fork. After another 300m pass underneath the busy A3. You have now left Wimbledon Common and entered Putney Heath.
6. 25m after leaving the underpass, turn right and on a narrower path and follow it for 100m to reach a pond at a junction of paths. Go straight ahead for 30m and then turn left at the far corner of the water so that you are still walking with the pond on your left. After 70m, beyond the end of the pond, reach a broad crossing path and turn sharp right. Soon you see houses and a car barrier ahead. 40m before reaching the car barrier turn left on a clear path which goes into the wood and becomes a broader track. Follow this for the next 450m ignoring all crossing paths. At first there is a tall wooden fence on the right and later a stone wall. Finally reach a road.
7. Cross the road and enter a large grassy area which is a cricket pitch. Continue along its left hand perimeter to find a track in the top left hand corner. Follow this track for 250m to reach a five way junction. Take the second path on the right which is an earth track (rather than a grassy track) Walk for another 250m ignoring all crossing tracks and emerge at the corner of the Heath with the A219 Putney Hill on your right. The Green Man PH (out of sight when you emerge) is ahead on your left near the bus stops. From here you can catch a No 14, 37, 93 or 85 down the hill to Putney High Street. Otherwise simply walk down the hill for 900m to reach the railway station.
8. If you wish to extend the walk to see Putney Riverside and Putney Bridge which is the start point for the famous annual Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race, continue down Putney High Street for another 500m until you reach the River Thames.
