Isabella Plantation via Crane River & Bushy Park

Springtime always means a visit to the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park, to admire the glorious groves of azaleas https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/richmond-park/isabella-plantation . This time, we will have quite a long ride before we get there, enjoying some other green spaces and some variations on familiar routes. Our refreshment stop will be after we visit the Plantation, so approx. 1pm; bring enough water & snacks to keep you going until then.

From Ealing, we ride down through Brentford, Syon Park and Isleworth, and then take the back road route to Twickenham. We cross the road into Twickenham Junction Rough, following the Crane River into Kneller Gardens, and then cut through Fulwell into Bushy Park. We ride around the Park, enjoying the open green space and the chance to spot some deer. Then we make our way through quiet residential roads, to meet the river at Teddington Lock. Crossing over, we enter Richmond Park at the Ham Gate and ride up to the Isabella Plantation where we will lock our bikes and explore on foot.

From here, it is a short ride to Pembroke Lodge, for our refreshment stop https://www.pembroke-lodge.co.uk/the-butlers-pantry/. Then we leave the Park at the Richmond Gate and ride down to Kew Bridge and back to Ealing.

Ride via Crane River and Bushy Park, to visit the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park; returning via Kew Bridge.

Quieter roads where possible; shared paths through parks; some short stretches on busier roads. Dismount to cross railway bridge (wide shallow steps & gulley) and footbridge over river (ramps).

Stop at Isabella Plantation to see the azaleas. Refreshment stop at Pembroke Lodge.

Water & snacks. Money/card for cafe stop. Lock for your bike.

First-timers welcome!