How to get there - From Kingston take the A308, Hampton Court Road, west. At the Hampton Court round-a-bout follow the road to the right along the Thames. Just after the church and the Bell Inn on the right turn sharp left into a track. Follow the track past the boat hire shop to the public parking areas near the Westel Canoe Club building. (map)
Suggested Launch Site - The gravel car park is divided into sections, the first for the boat hire establishment, the other sections are free for the public. There are public toilets to the north of the east of the car park. The easiest, but messiest (birds) lauching is via a wooden float to the east of the car park.
General
Description - From the launch site go west, up river, keeping to the right. Go around the sailing club building then on inside Platt's Eyot. Past the reservoir keep right iside the small island. Continue, rejoining the main stream, and then on inside Sunbury Court Island. At the end of the houses on the island rejoin the main stream continuing to Sunbury Locks. you may be able to go through the locks, if not the portage is to the right past moored boats and barges. Continue to the west to Walton Bridge. There is a refreshment kiosk on the left bank just past the bridge. There are toilets nearby.
Carry on, keeping right, along the main channel around Desborough Island. At the end of the island turn left, downstream through the Desborough Cut. Then continue downstream. After the lock you can either keep to the right bank or return to the left bank using the quieter backwaters inside the islands.
There are many pubs along the route for food in winter and many picnic areas for summer.
Total distance as described is about 10.5 miles, but one can do longer or shorter trips. (route)
