Hampton Court, an excellent option for a short dog walk in Richmond

This short dog walk in Richmond is a good option if you are in the area and want to get out of the busy London streets to a more serene vibe by the river. Hampton Court Palace is one of the most iconic and historically significant royal palaces in England, located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Hampton Court Palace’s history spans over 500 years, featuring a blend of Tudor and Baroque architecture that tells the tale of two distinct periods in English history.

Distance	Total Time	Difficulty
3.26 km	00:45	Easy

Although the palace interiors and formal gardens are off-limits to our four-legged friends, the adjacent Home Park presents an excellent alternative for a leisurely dog walk in Richmond. Despite our plans being slightly altered – the Jubilee Gate was closed on our visit – the idea of the park’s open spaces and historical backdrop promises a worthwhile exploration on a future occasion.

It was an impromptu visit to the area when driving back home from Pequi’s vet appointment at the hospital, and the day wasn’t great, but still, the girls enjoyed the walk, and we had a good break before the long drive back home.

We parked at Hampton Court Green Car park. We didn’t use the sat nav to get there as it was on our way, but the address is Hampton Court Road, Molesey, East Molesey, KT8 9BP.

Don’t forget to check the post notes at the bottom of the page, with maps, a detailed table about the hike and links to everything mentioned in the post.

The Hike

Our adventure began at the car park, again ☺, from where we crossed the gate into Hampton Court Garden, a sprawling green space with pathways. We took the path to the right once out of the gate from the car park.

At the end of this path, we reached Hampton Court Road. Here, a zebra crossing demands caution as the area buzzes with activity, making it crucial to safely guide your pets across. It is right next to a roundabout though, so cars are a little slower. 

The gang then turned right, and our path led us past an iconic red telephone booth and towards the palace gates.

While the palace itself offers limited views for those with dogs, the real charm of our walk unfolded as we veered left towards the bridge, immersing ourselves in the tranquil riverside atmosphere. The shift from urban to a nice, calmer vibe was clear, with fellow walkers, cyclists, and dogs enjoying the scenic route.  

We continued by the river for about 30 minutes, passing the Pier, the Barrack and Jubilee Gates and continued a bit further but decided to retrace our steps back to the car since we weren’t able to access the Home Park on this occasion. 

There were dog waste bins around, and there were also a couple of pubs and cafes across the road from the palace. According to their website, the Mute Swan is dog-friendly. 

A lovely little dog walk in Richmond and definitely a place to explore more. Hampton Court and its surroundings stand as a testament to the joys of discovering new paths and historical treasures, even in the most unexpected moments.

Cheers,

Ademar