Paddleboarding-River Thames Richmond to Teddington

Paddleboarding-River Thames Richmond to Teddington

Explore two scenic paddle routes from Ham Street along the tidal Thames: one downriver to Richmond, passing iconic landmarks like Petersham Meadows and Glover’s Island, and the other upriver to Teddington Lock

A full route description can be found in our book Paddleboarding South East

Distance 4km return to Richmond; 5.6km return to Teddington Lock

Paddling environment: River

Access restrictions no licence required downstream of Teddington Lock.

Starting Point Ham Street Car Park

Parking Ham Street Car Park (free), Ham Street, Richmond, TW10 7RS. Grid ref. TQ 169 731; What3Words riding.broke.bucket.

Rail Richmond station

Launching Riverside adjacent to car park

Pitstops legendary riverside pub, White Cross Pub, Richmond; delightful almost fairytale-like  café with excellent food, Hollyhock Café, Terrace Gardens, Richmond tel. 0208 9486555; popular vegetarian café in arch of Richmond Bridge, Tide Tables Café, tel. 0208 9488285; popular pub with riverside garden, The Anglers, Teddington, 0208 9777475.

Lessons and tours Active360 https://active360.co.uk

Getting there From Richmond take A3027 towards Kingston-on-Thames, turn R opposite the Hand and Flower pub along Ham Common, then Ham Street. Car park at end of road.

Special points

This section of the tidal Thames is managed by Richmond half lock which ensures that the water level between Richmond Lock and Teddington Lock is maintained at or above half-tide level. This means there is a rising and falling tidal flow for 2hrs either side of HW otherwise it’s only a slight river flow impacting the paddler outside this window. Check local river conditions at Teddington Lock https://riverlevels.uk/thames-teddington-teddington-lock

Ham House to Richmond and Teddington Paddleboard Route