The Capital Ring - Wimbledon to Richmond

The Capital Ring is a 120km/75 mile footpath orbiting central London at a distance of up to 10 miles from Big Ben. It was a collaboration between all of London's local authorities, and was completed in 2005. The route runs through urban and suburban outer London, utilising green space as much as possible.

This linear walk comprises section 6 in the south-west, running 12.5km/7.8 miles from Wimbledon to Richmond-upon-Thames and passing through Wimbledon Park, Wimbledon Common & Richmond Park.

The sights

Wimbledon Park: 67-acre urban park that was formerly part of the grounds of Wimbledon Manor House. Purchased by Wimbledon Borough Council before WWI, and now run by the London Borough of Merton.

Wimbledon Common: Together with Putney Common, at 1,140 acres this is the largest expanse of heathland in London, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the rare flora in the area. Protected from development by its own Act of Parliament dating to 1871.

Wimbledon Windmill: This is the last remaining hollow-post flour mill in the country. It was built in 1817, but ceased to be used as a mill in 1864. After a number of restorations, it opened as a museum in 1975.

Richmond Park: This is the largest of the Royal Parks at 2,360 acres. It was created by Charles I as a walled deer park in 1637, but is now open to all. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a national nature reserve.

White Lodge: This grade-1 listed Georgian mansion dating from 1730 is now the home of the Royal Ballet Lower School.

Pembroke Lodge: A late 18th century mansion set on high ground in 11 acres, this was the home of Victorian prime minister Lord John Russell, and of his grandson, the philosopher and pacifist Bertrand Russell. It is now a catering, conference & wedding venue.

King Henry's Mound: Formerly a Neolithic burial mound, this is (allegedly) where Henry VIII waited in 1536 for  a signal from the City of London that his wife Queen Anne Boleyn had been executed. There are commanding views west over the Thames Valley as far as Windsor, and St Paul's Cathedral, 12 miles to the east, can be glimpsed through a telescope installed on the Mound. This view, first created in 1710, is protected by planning restrictions.

Richmond Bridge: This is the oldest surviving (and only Georgian) Thames bridge in London, originally constructed in 1774-7 and widened in 1937-40. It is grade-1 listed.

Richmond Palace: Only the gate-house and couple of other small structures survive from this grand Tudor palace, built by Henry VII after 1498 to replace an earlier building destroyed by fire. It was a favourite of all the Tudors, especially Henry VIII & Elizabeth I (who died there in 1603). After the execution of Charles I in 1649, Parliament sold off the palace for building material and it was never rebuilt.

The route (see location section for OS link):

Starting at Wimbledon Park tube station, we'll head along Home Park Road to enter & cross Wimbledon Park, leaving at the Wimbledon Park Road gate. We'll head down Wimbledon Park Road, then turn into Bathgate Road and up steep Queensmere Road to reach Wimbledon Common. We'll transit the Common via the windmill to get to the A3 at Kingston Vale. Crossing the road, we'll enter Richmond Park at the Robin Hood Gate, and climb Spankers Hill to reach the car park & refreshment kiosk near Pen Ponds, where we'll pause for lunch.

After the break, we'll carry on across Pen Ponds (with the view of White Lodge), and head down the side of Sidmouth Wood to reach Pembroke Lodge and King Henry's Mound, where we'll pause to admire the fine views.

Finally, we'll head down the hill to exit the park at Petersham Gate, and proceed to the Thames Path, which we'll follow into Richmond. The station is about half-a-mile inland from the Thames via the Palace.

Don't waste that space!

London walks are in demand, so please only book if you know you can make it. If your plans change please free up the space for someone else.

Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but they will need to be on a lead along busy roads and footpaths and in proximity to livestock. 

This particularly applies in Richmond Park, where dogs must be on a lead anywhere near deer or around lakes & ponds. If your dog is caught worrying deer or wildfowl, the Royal Parks Police could prosecute you. 

Please also note that dogs are not permitted in Pembroke Lodge Gardens in Richmond Park. This unfortunately includes King Henry's Mound.

At all other times, a dog must be obedient.

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If this is your first ODL event, you should check out the information designed specifically for you on the My First Event page on the ODL website. If you have any other questions you can send a message to the leader.

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Photos: Capital Ring signpost at Kingston Vale (header) / Wimbledon Windmill / Wimbledon Park tube station (meeting point) / Lake in Wimbledon Park / Wimbledon Common / Robin Hood Gate, Richmond Park / Café near Pen Ponds (lunch stop) / Pen Ponds / Pembroke Lodge / View west from King Henry's Mound / Richmond Bridge / Gatehouse, Richmond Palace.

All photos taken by the leader 27th February 2025 and permission given to OutdoorLads for use.