Follow the Blades

Trace "The Boat Race" route

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Walk 2 hrs (8.5km)

Total Ascent 16 m

Highest Point 10m

Welcome to this Signature Guide

This Quick Escape is an insider’s guide to the Thames footpath in Putney. Enjoy the river life, the birdsong, and the great Boat Race landmarks as you wind your way along the river. Discover the Leg o’Mutton nature reserve. Such a well kept secret, even some locals don’t know of its existance!

Ready to walk?

Be sure to download your PDF guide for the walk and make sure you have the OS maps app downloaded.

Or email yourself the guide:

Before you start

Here’s 3 important things you need to know before you head off:

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Save this Guide

Save the PDF guide on your device that you’re going to use on the walk. (This contains all the handy information, from how to get there, points of interest and pubs, taxis etc).

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Download OS Map App

This is how you will navigate your way around the route. The link for the route is in this guide and will take you to the OS Maps app.

Click here for Apple
Click here for Android

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Battery

Make sure you have plenty of battery. We hope you have a great walk.

The Curator Will Thompson

Meet the Curator

Will is one of Vespucci adventures’ designers. He loves the life and business of London but he really treasures the hidden spots where you can get away from it all and feel connected with nature. This walk reflects this with the lively Thames footpath and then a hidden spot for some time to yourself along the way.

“This is the ideal walk for fellow enthusiasts of picturesque riverside strolls! I am thrilled to share this walk I have been curating for the 25 years I have lived in Putney along the glorious River Thames. As a proud Putney native, this route holds a special place in my heart. I have many cherished memories of leisurely walks to the secretive Leg o’Mutton Nature Reserve in my childhood. The journey is full of history and nature, featuring charming views, historic landmarks, and the soothing flow of The Thames.

Starting in the same spot as the Oxbridge Boat Race, we embark on a scenic adventure that meanders along the riverbanks and culminates in Mortlake with a 18th century pub, The Ship.

I hope you enjoy this walk as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you!”

Hike Summary

Putney to Mortlake, Thames footpath

This is a trip for any day of the year. Enjoy a lazy brunch, walk it off and reward yourself with a drink at the Bull’s Head or The Ship. It’s a 8km walk to The Ship in Mortlake. Oxbridge rowers will get there in less than 20 minutes but why stress yourself out? Take your time and enjoy the birdsong that will be sure to lift your spirits.

Hike Highlights

Leg o'Mutton reservoir

It’s a hidden gem and the perfect spot for a moment of solitude.

The Ship

Sip on a well-earned drink in a quintessential English pub.

London Wetland Centre

a captivating urban oasis, providing a haven for diverse bird species.

London Underground – Start at Putney Bridge tube station. Putney Bridge is on the Wimbledon arm of the District line, just north of the river. We recommend using Citymapper to plan your route to the station.

Sometimes, we can get so caught up in reaching our destination that we forget to take in our surroundings. When in fact, some of the best moments on a walk are the ones spent not walking. It is not until you stop and look a little closer, that you truly see the magic of where you are.
Our hikes are not about how fast you walk, but about how much you take in. We share these beautiful trails with an abundance of wildlife and there’s always something to marvel at – so long as you take the time to look around.

Built in 1781, the Ship is without doubt most famous for its location on the finishing line of the Boat Race. There are also fantastic options for local ales in this pub.

Points of interest

Places to enjoy along the route

PUTNEY BRIDGE

Putney Bridge was built in 1886, replacing an earlier wooden bridge at the same location. If you look for it, you will see a WWII pillbox built in 1940 as a final defence should the German troops ever have invaded London.

WWT LONDON WETLAND CENTRE

The WWT London Wetland Centre, situated in Barnes, is a serene urban oasis that spans 105 acres of wetlands along the River Thames. Established in 2000 by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), this conservation haven offers a unique blend of diverse habitats, including lakes, ponds, and marshes, providing a vital sanctuary for migratory birds and a delightful educational experience for visitors interested in wildlife and environmental preservation.

HARRODS FURNITURE DEPOT

Built in 1894 as Harrods Furniture Depository near Hammersmith Bridge, the salmon-pink terracotta-clad buildings, designed by W. G. Hunt and completed in 1914, are now Grade II listed. No longer owned by Harrods, the structures were transformed into "Harrods Village," a residential estate featuring 250 townhouses and penthouse suites in 2000.

HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE

Hammersmith Bridge, constructed in 1887 with an elegant suspension design and made of cast iron, has historical significance as it experienced IRA bombings in the 1930s and 1990s. The first attempt to destroy the bridge was foiled by Maurice Childs, a local resident. Discovering a bomb on the bridge, he threw it into the river, and saved it from catastrophic damage. Childs was awarded an MBE for his quick response, while individuals involved in the attack were caught and received jail sentences.

LEG O'MUTTON

After decommissioning in 1960, local residents successfully opposed housing and shopping center proposals, leading to its designation as a local nature reserve in 1990. The site hosts diverse bird species, including the nationally scarce pochards, as well as bats, amphibians like the protected great crested newt, and rare aquatic plants such as bogbean and frogbit. Accessible from the Thames Path, Ferry Lane, and Lonsdale Road, the reserve features a mile-long perimeter path for visitors.

What’s Next?

Done the hike? Let us and fellow members know how you got on and leave any tips and advice!

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Follow the Blades, London ⏱️ 2 hrs