An Urban Wander from Chiswick to Kew

I've just returned from three wonderful weeks in and around North and South Carolina. I have some pictures to share from that trip but still have a small, pre-holiday backlog to work through first. A couple of days before I left for my summer holiday, I made a small trip to Kew Gardens. Not the the gardens themselves but to the general area. I had originally intended to simply travel there by tube, but there was a signalling problem at Richmond meaning that the trains were not running on that part of the line. I was forced therefore to alight early, at Chiswick Park, and make the remainder of the journey by foot. I've been to Chiswick High Street plenty of times but have never ventured south to the river, so this piece of luck gave me an opportunity to do just that.

The first few pictures were taken walking along the northern bank of the River Thames towards Kew Bridge. The bridge appearing in the photos is the District Line crossing the river towards Kew Gardens and Richmond, and the island in the background is Oliver's Island.

District Line and London Overground rail bridge across the River Thames, London

District Line and London Overground rail bridge across the River Thames, London

District Line and London Overground rail bridge across the River Thames, London

 District Line and London Overground rail bridge across the River Thames, London

River Thames near Chiswick, London

This half-height door is placed in the house wall, well above where I assume the high tide would come

 

Door situated well above the Thames path, near Chiswick, London

I wasn't expecting to see any ghost signs in Kew so was pleasantly surprised when I spotted this old metal sign for the Caxton Name Plate Manufacturing Company, just at the southerly end of Kew Bridge.

Ghost sign for the former Caxton Name Plate Manufacturing Company, Kew Bridge, London

I love old cars but don't actually know very much about them, unless it's glaringly obvious, so unfortunately I have no idea what this first car is.

Old car, Kew Gardens, London

Ok, so this one is a bit easier. I didn't actually see the second Volkswagen camper van driving past until I started uploading the photos to the blog.

Volkswagen Camper Van, Kew Gardens, London

This is a Bentley judging from the winged B badge on the bonnet, but more than that I cannot tell you. Lovely looking car though.

Bentley, Kew Gardens, London

This is a curious building. It seems to have been built as an iron church or tin tabernacle back in the late 19th century. It seems to have been used as a working men's club at some stage but would now appear to be for sale.

Former iron church, Kew Gardens, London

As an enjoyable urban wander came to an end, the sun set on a perfect day. Kew is a wonderful place, only perhaps over shadowed by the near constant noise from the planes as the come into land at Heathrow.

Sunset over Kew Gardens, London