Saturday Short & Steady Ride: Crane River Park

A ride out to a less well-known park using quieter roads and tracks near to Twickenham and Hounslow.

From Ealing, we ride down to Brentford, then through Syon Park to Isleworth. We find the path alongside the Duke of Northumberland’s River and follow it through the Mogden Sewage Works (which can be a fragrant experience for a short while) and behind Twickenham Stadium. We will need to dismount to cross a footbridge by the Stoop and ride on into Kneller Gardens. We will have a brief pause here for toilets and maybe for the café kiosk, before riding on along the Crane River to the Nature Reserve and the distinctive Shot Tower.

We will pause for al fresco refreshments at the Shot Tower (bring your own food or buy something at the café kiosk in Kneller Gardens). If the weather isn’t good enough for outdoor refreshments, we can stop at a café in Twickenham on our return ride.

For our return, we retrace our route to Kneller Gardens, and then follow the Crane River through the Mereway Nature Reserve back to Twickenham. Quiet roads bring us through St Margaret’s back to Isleworth, and then on via Syon Park and Brentford to return to Ealing.

Although Covid restrictions are no longer in force, please continue to be mindful. Please do not attend if you have any Covid 19 symptoms, have tested positive, or are currently advised to self-isolate. You may wish to bring a face covering for use in enclosed public spaces.

A visit to a less well-known Park along the River Crane, with peaceful woodlands, a nature reserve, and the distinctive Shot Tower.

Mostly quiet roads and traffic-free paths. Some tracks through the River Park are unpaved and uneven; road bikes with skinny tyres are not suitable.

We will stop at Kneller Gardens on both outward and return journeys for toilets. There is also a cafe here selling snacks; or you could bring your own food for a refreshment stop near to the Shot Tower.

Bring money (card) for the cafe, hand sanitiser, face covering.

First-timers welcome!