Shepperton to Staines

This walk began at the most southerly point of the Thames between Shepperton and Weybridge where the river goes through a series of the most extreme meanders. The navigation channel here has been simplified by channels and locks cutting through the meanders creating four islands in the middle of the river. The picture of the left shows pollarded willows in Dumsey Meadow just downstream of Chertsey Bridge. In 1824 James Snelling and Dolby Haines were convicted at the Old Bailey of stealing swans from near Dumsey Meadow and sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia.

Pastry served with crisps and cucumbers (!) at Shepperton Bakery

Blues Brother statue on balcony overlooking Pharaoh's Island

Sinking houseboat opposite Chertsey Meads Spiral Ball

Windmills

Birdcote at Chertsey Meads

The M3 crossing the Thames

Penton Hook meander just beyond Laleham is the most extreme of the Thames' meanders. The neck of land seperating the upstream and downstream parts of the meander was eroded so badly that flood waters broke through in the early 19th century. A lock wasl also built at the same point so that two channels cut through the peninsula. The map of the meander now looks like a big fat exclamation mark! The island was used as a mass burial ground during the great plague of 1664.

Towpath approaching Staines