Osterley Park walk

Start: NT Car Park, Osterley House

Finish: NT Car Park, Osterley House

Length: 8 km/5 miles

Weather: A hint of sun to start, ended up raining hard.

Map Link.

Copyright AA Media Limited 2015.

 

Walking from the car park towards the farm shop, which was closed on New Years Day. It is worth noting that unless you are a National Trust member you will be charged for using the car park.

osterley Park

 

Just past the farm shop go through the kissing gate on the left.

osterley park

 

Osterley Park.

osterley Park

 

osterley Park

 

A winding path through the trees.

osterley Park

 

You should come out opposite The Hare and Hounds pub.

osterley Park

 

Having walked under the M4, in about 400 metres turn right to go through a kissing gate and follow an enclosed path alongside a playing field. OK, so there are a few dismal sections on this walk and this is certainly one of them. But having completed the London Capital Ring you will be more accepting of them.

osterley Park

 

Follow the advice of the sign before crossing the railway track. There were no signs of any trains today.

osterley Park

 

The Grand Union Canal, once a busy industrial waterway connecting London with the Midlands.

Grand Union Canal

 

Hanwell Locks. Six locks raises the Grand Union Canal by just over 53 feet (16.2 m) and has been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by English Heritage.

Hanwell Locks

 

Hanwell Locks signpost.

Hanwell Locks signpost

 

The modest looking Three Bridges is a unique stacked intersection of road, rail and canal, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel's last major railway project. It's probably worth doing this walk just to see this remarkable feat of engineering.

Three Bridges Hanwell

 

The White Bridge where we leave the canal for a taste of Southall-sububia. Also, where my main camera ran out of battery and had to resort to my phone, hence the change of size from now on.

osterley Park

 

Turn left just before the Plough pub and follow the sign. The map suggests you should turn left after the pub, which is incorrect.

The plough tentelow lane

 

By now it was raining hard. Follow the muddy track and cross over the M4.

Penley Wood ibstone

 

Osterley House was closed today, but it is well worth a visit. It was described by Horace Walpole as the palace of palaces, Osterley was created in the late 18th century by architect and designer Robert Adam for the Child family to entertain and impress their friends and clients.

Penley Wood ibstone