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Greenford to Osterley Walk

A walk through attractive open spaces in West London, visiting parks, a viaduct, a series of locks and a NT stately home.

Easy London London Travelcard National Trust Osterley Stately Home

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sun, 04-Dec-22 Greenford to Osterley 10 chilly but dry
Thu, 06-May-21 a Bluebells in the Evening (VI) - Osterley Park (a stately home, a park, a canal, a flight of locks, a river, a grand viaduct) 11 dry but cold
Sat, 19-Jan-19 – Through green spaces in west London to Osterley Park 15 overcast and a bit chilly
Sat, 18-Mar-17 – to a grand country estate in west London 16 overcast
Wed, 13-Jan-16 Midweek day Walk - Greenford to Osterley 5 glorious sun
Mon, 25-May-15 Bank Holiday (train-free)
Sun, 15-Dec-13 Greenford to Osterley Walk 0
Wed, 17-Oct-12 Greenford to Osterley Walk
Sun, 12-Feb-12 Greenford to Osterley Walk
Sun, 06-Dec-09 Greenford to Osterley Walk
Wed, 04-Nov-09 Greenford to Osterley Walk
Sat, 13-Dec-08 Greenford to Osterley Walk
Wed, 15-Oct-08 Greenford to Osterley Walk
Mon, 05-May-08 Greenford to Osterley Walk

Sunday 04-Dec-22

Sean
Extra Walk 42 – Greenford to Osterley

Length: About 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 1/10

Take a Central Line tube (towards West Ruislip) to arrive at Greenford by 10:45. These run every 5-6 minutes and take about 30 minutes from central London. Meet up in the station foyer, not the platform.

Return is by Piccadilly Line tube from Osterley (every 5 minutes). Greenford and Osterley are both in TfL Zone 4.

This west London walk goes through lots of pleasant green spaces and you can almost imagine yourself in the countryside when you reach Osterley Park, a grand estate managed by the National Trust. There's no charge to enter the parkland but non-members would have to pay an entry fee to explore the formal Gardens or visit a ‘Winter Exhibition’ in the basement (the main house is closed for winter). Note that the park closes at 4:30pm.

The walk notes still recommend The Plough in Norwood Green as the lunch stop, but this comes quite near the end of the walk. I see that a couple of people have suggested an alternative hostelry just off the route, The Fox in Hanwell; it's now mentioned in the directions and might be worth a look en passant. The tea stop is the NT café in Osterley Park.

You'll need to bring the directions from the L=swc.42 – they've recently been revised to take in a small canalside park between the two pubs.

  • Sun, 04-Dec-22

    Undeterred by ‘serious delay’ notices on the Centra Line, 8 gathered at Greenford station. on a chilly but dry day. Still some colour in the trees. As well as the ever-present parakeets, bird-watchers will be thrilled to hear that we saw Egyptian geese, ducks and a couple of emus. At the canal, instead of detouring to the Fox, we soldiered on to the Plough. Here they really got into the Christmas spirit by telling us there was “no room at the inn”. At least not inside. We were banished to Santa’s Grotto in the garden. Which was warmer than it sounds. No Santa though. People got their food and everything and eventually we were off again.

    We reached Osterley House a bit too soon for tea and here the group split. Two went for a look in the shop and most continued on. Two caught us up here, having missed us at Greenford. They missed us at the Plough too. (If only they’d looked in Santa’s Grotto). So 10

Thursday 06-May-21

Thomas G
Greenford to Osterley - in reverse and shortened
Length: 6.5 km, Ascent/Descent: negligible
Net Walking Time: ca. 1 ½ hours, Toughness: 1 out of 10.
Meet at 18.45 outside Osterley Station on the Piccadilly line. Journey time from Hammersmith is 17 mins, from Green Park it is 32 mins.
Return trains from Hanwell to Paddington: every 15 mins on xx.11 (journey time 15 mins).
Osterley and Hanwell are in Zone 4.
From Osterley Station through Osterley Park past Osterley House (NT), where bluebells ought to be found “in the Great Meadow and on the Long Walk”. Continue for a short section along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal, passing the famous “Hanwell Flight of Locks” and a point where road, rail and canal bridges pass over one another in an intriguing manner. Turn left along the River Brent to the Wharncliffe Viaduct, which carries the original line of the Great Western Railway across the Brent Valley, just before which you turn right to Hanwell Station’s Grade II-listed building.
For walk directions, map, photos, height profile and gpx/kml files click here . T=swc.42.a
  • Sat, 01-May-21

    I live close by and walk this area all the time but never seen any bluebells! Will join you and check this out.

  • Thu, 06-May-21

    11 walkers in dry but cold weather

    Initially we didn't spot many bluebells at all in the park, but then, slightly off route - along the 'Long Walk' as per the NT website - there were patches: small ones at first, then larger ones, then a very large one, all good. And looking at a detailed map of the park, there may even be more areas with bluebells, pending closer investigation...

    Later we saw some more bluebells in a small wood, but then the walk route goes a bit flat, while it's just following some sports field boundaries, before coming to life again via the Three Bridges, the Flight of Locks by The Asylum and the River Brent.

    All went for a drink at The Viaduct and then found their respective ways to Hanwell station or a bus stop.

Saturday 19-Jan-19

Sean
Extra Walk 42 – Greenford to Osterley
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 1/10

Take a Central Line tube (towards West Ruislip) to arrive at Greenford by 10:40 (every 5-10 minutes; a 30-minute journey from central London). Meet downstairs and wait for the 10:27 shuttle train from West Ealing to arrive at 10:39 (the alternative route for people in that area) before setting off.

Return is by Piccadilly Line tube from Osterley, or local buses if these are more convenient. Greenford and Osterley are both in TfL Zone 4.

Four months ago someone requested this as a weekend winter walk. A threatened tube strike on the Central Line scuppered its pre-Christmas appearance but we'll try again. The walk goes through lots of green spaces in west London and you can almost imagine yourself in the countryside when you reach Osterley Park, a grand estate managed by the National Trust. There's an admission charge for non-members to visit the House (which is hosting a ‘Made for the Table’ Exhibition; last entry 3pm), but not for the Stables Café or parkland.

The suggested lunchtime stop is the Plough in Norwood Green, a Fuller's pub which serves food all day. It's three-quarters of the way through the published walk but there's plenty of scope to extend it by exploring Osterley Park at the end.

You'll need to bring the directions from the Greenford to Osterley walk page. A recent comment suggested that the GPX route on the site might be slightly inaccurate in one or two places, so use with care. T=swc.42
  • Anonymous
    Sun, 20-Jan-19

    15 on this walk

    The Walk Inspector didn’t arrive, even just for lunch and for scrounging chips, but someone did say that this walk was ‘well outside his manor’

    The Walk Creator was on the whole walk checking the instructions and finding slight changes to incorporate so it was good to have his company.

    The Lunch Inspector we were relieved to see was not on the walk as The Plough pub grub would not have passed muster with her and it was hard for some of us to finish.

    The weather was overcast and a bit chilly but dry as was underfoot.

    This is an ideal walk for when the ground is muddy as there are many paths but it does tend to take a toll on ones feet being on a hard surface all day.

    After lunch some went on a tour of Osterley House whilst others went for tea in the stables.

    I met 5 others on the train back to central London so no idea where the others got to.

  • Anonymous
    Sun, 20-Jan-19

    The NT at Osterley House had got the bling out of the cellars which included a cistern weighing over 1600 ounces which apparently was filled with ice to cool the wine in the day. Lots of silver used in it's construction. The farmer's veggie market was still open at 4:30pm and I can recommend the Maris Pipers tatties - ideal to go with yer bashed neeps and Haggis on the 25th

Saturday 18-Mar-17

Sean
Extra Walk 42 – Greenford to Osterley
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 1/10

Take a Central Line tube (towards West Ruislip) to arrive at Greenford by 10:40 (every 5-10 minutes; it's a 30-minute journey from central London).

There's an alternative route via train but you have to change. You'd need to take the 10:03 Heathrow Connect service from Paddington and change at West Ealing (arr 10:13, dep 10:27), arriving Greenford at 10:39.

Return is by Piccadilly Line tube from Osterley, or local buses if these are more convenient. Greenford and Osterley are both in TfL Zone 4.

Another urban walk for those allergic to mud, but this one's got lots of pleasant green spaces and you can certainly imagine yourself in the countryside when you reach Osterley Park, a grand country estate managed by the National Trust. There's no admission fee for the park or the Stables tearoom; last entry to the House is 4pm if you want to visit.

The suggested lunchtime stop is the Plough in Norwood Green, a Fuller's pub which serves food all day and got a very favourable review from some midweek walkers last year. It's three-quarters of the way through the published walk but bear in mind that there's plenty of scope to extend this short walk by exploring Osterley Park.

You'll need to print the directions from the Greenford to Osterley Walk page. T=swc.42
  • Sun, 19-Mar-17

    There were 16 on this walk and it was overcast . During the walk to Osterley Park and even in the park itself you never really felt you had left urban London, which was ironic because Osterley House was the country residence of the Child family. Nobody seemed to mind about low flying aeroplanes or traffic noise however and Osterley House was a delight to behold when we did arrive at Osterley Park. Several of us visited the National Trust house and I for one was impressed with the Robert Adam's interior designs. The absolute highlight for me however were the kitchen and servants quarters. My compassion for the scullery maid (the lowest rank even amongst the servants) was stimulated by learning how she had to scrub all the dishes and floors and in this house she had to also empty all the chamber pots.

Wednesday 13-Jan-16

Mike A

Greenford to Osterley

A walk through attractive open spaces in West London, visiting parks, a viaduct, a series of locks and a National Trust stately home.

Book 3* Walk 42 * online only

Length : 12 km or 7½ miles

Toughness : 1 out of 10

Getting there : Catch the 10:15 am train from London Paddington to Greenford.
Calling Stations

  • Acton Mainline: departs 10:21
  • Ealing Broadway: departs 10:24
  • West Ealing: departs 10:27
  • Drayton Green: departs 10:30

Meeting point : Greenford Station at 10:40 am

Tickets : Buy a travelcard to cover your zone and zone 4

Brief Description

An easy walk in West London, hopefully not so muddy as last weeks romp.
Lunch is at a oldest Fuller's Pub with real ales and (apparently) good food.

Osterley House (later on in the walk) is not open at this time of year, but the gardens and café are.
You may find full details of this walk here

Suggested Lunch stops

The Plough Inn 10 Tentelow Lane, Norwood Green t: 020 8574 7473

Suggested Tea stops

Stables Café at Osterley Park and House (open to 5:00 pm)

Map

A London A-Z map

Return train details

The regular Piccadilly Tube Service from Osterley Park.
Apparently you may alight at Northfields and walk back to Ealing Broadway via Lammas Park and Walpole Park, guided by a London A-Z Map




  • Marion- your local yokel
    Wed, 13-Jan-16

    Intend coming on this interesting walk through west London which should be relatively mud free. Lots of drop off points for local buses and tube stations for anyone with stamina issues.

  • Marion
    Thu, 14-Jan-16

    It was a beautiful easy walk in glorious sunshine with very little mud. Rare birds at the Bunny Park, Brunel's engineering masterpieces at the Viaduct and Three Bridges followed by an inspired Italian chef at the Plough lunchtime stop.

    I’m writing a recommendation to Trip Adviser as we were looked after so well by the Landlord Derek O’Brien and his chef Donato. Even the kitchen porter is Italian and produced a masterpiece of Sea Bass in spicy grilled vegetables. Only 5 on the walk but a fab relaxing day.

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 14-Jan-16

    5 glorious sun

Monday 25-May-15

Sean
Extra Walk 42 – Greenford to Osterley
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 1/10

Take a Central Line tube which will arrive at Greenford by 10:40. On the West Ruislip line these run every 5-10 minutes and take about 30 minutes from central London (Oxford Circus).

Return is by Piccadilly Line tube from Osterley, or local buses if these are more convenient. Greenford and Osterley are both in TfL Zone 4.

In view of the threatened rail strike I'll post this outer London walk which should be feasible for anyone on the tube network. TfL have confirmed that these two lines will be running as normal. [If the strike is called off a longer country walk will be posted as well.]

While not exactly a country walk, this one goes through pleasant green spaces and passes some interesting features, not least an unusual triple bridge for road, rail and canal. It finishes in Osterley Park where National Trust members might be able to visit Osterley House, although their web site says that most of the house is only open for guided tours on Mondays.

The suggested lunchtime stop is the Plough in Norwood Green. This is quite close to the end of the walk so you could simply carry on to Osterley Park; there's no charge to visit the NT's Stables Café.

You'll need to print the directions from the Extra Walk 42 page. These haven't been updated recently so it's worth noting some helpful clarifications on the walk's Comments page.
  • Thu, 21-May-15

    Although the train strike has been suspended I'll leave this walk as an option for people who want a short day out with an early finish.

    Unless there's a further twist in the RMT action note that you've now got the option of travelling out on the 10:15 Greenford train from Paddington (Ealing Broadway 10:24), arriving at 10:39.

  • Anonymous
    Sat, 06-Jun-15

    Two of us made this walk. Enjoyable suburban stroll. Too much chatting meant that we got lost twice and ended up walking along the canal to Brentford instead of heading for Osterley.