BOB's BLOG Neighbourhood Notes Vol. 2 Saturday 13 September 2025

Neighbourhood Notes: Putney Riverside Walk Family Adventure

A hyper-local guide to family fun upstream of Putney Bridge

There's something magical about following the Thames path upstream from Putney Bridge, where the river curves gently through some of London's most charming riverside territory. This week's neighbourhood notes take you on a delightful family trail that combines nature, play, and those perfect pit-stops that make local adventures memorable.

Your Putney Riverside Family Trail

🏛️ PUTNEY BRIDGE ↑ (5 min walk upstream) 🌳 STOP 1: Bishop's Park Playground ↑ (8 min walk upstream) ⛵ STOP 2: Putney Embankment & Rowing Club Views ↑ (12 min walk upstream) 🦆 STOP 3: Barn Elms Playing Fields & Wetland Centre Gateway ↑ 🌿 LONDON WETLAND CENTRE

Stop 1: Bishop's Park Playground 🌳

Perfect for: Toddlers to tweens

Just upstream from the bridge, Bishop's Park offers one of Putney's best-kept playground secrets. The adventure playground here is a proper gem—think climbing frames that challenge without terrifying parents, and swings with those Thames glimpses that make even the grown-ups want a turn.

Local tip: The café here does surprisingly good coffee, and there are plenty of benches where you can keep an eye on the action while the kids burn off energy. The park also connects beautifully to All Saints Church if you fancy a peek at some lovely architecture.

Stop 2: Putney Embankment & Rowing Club Views ⛵

Perfect for: Budding athletes and river enthusiasts

This stretch is pure Putney magic. The embankment here buzzes with rowing activity—from dawn training sessions to weekend regattas. Kids are absolutely fascinated watching the crews glide past, and there's something wonderfully British about the whole scene.

Local tip: Time your visit for early morning or early evening when the crews are most active. The benches here are perfect for a snack break, and if you're lucky, you might catch sight of some of the university crews training for the famous Boat Race route.

Stop 3: Barn Elms Playing Fields & Wetland Centre Gateway 🦆

Perfect for: Nature lovers and wide-open-space seekers

Where the Thames path opens up into the expansive Barn Elms Playing Fields, you'll find space to breathe and room to roam. This is where Putney starts to feel wonderfully wild, with the Wetland Centre just beyond offering glimpses of the nature reserve that awaits.

Local tip: Bring a football or frisbee—this is proper running-about territory. The playing fields are also perfect for impromptu picnics, and if you're feeling ambitious, the Wetland Centre entrance is just a short walk further for a full nature adventure.

Making the Most of Your Walk

The entire trail is pushchair-friendly and takes about 45 minutes at a leisurely family pace (not counting playground time!). Each stop offers something different—active play, peaceful river watching, and space to explore.

Best times to visit: Weekend mornings for the full riverside community vibe, or weekday afternoons when it's quieter but still lively enough to feel special.

What to bring: Snacks (obvs), something to throw or kick around at Barn Elms, and maybe a bag for any river treasures the kids inevitably collect.

This little stretch of Thames-side Putney proves that some of the best family adventures happen right on our doorstep. Sometimes the most magical journeys are the ones that start with just stepping outside and following the river upstream.

Tried & True Putney is your local spot for quality finds and neighbourhood wisdom. Pop in and tell us about your own Putney discoveries—we love hearing what makes our corner of London special.

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