Explore and Discover

These are some simple ideas for those days when you have some free time and want to "do something different" but are not quite sure what. You'll find more detailed information and comprehensive listings within the London Boroughs own sites.

Take a walk along the River Thames, sauntering along the river path and stopping at some of the excellent pubs along the way

Wander the Wandle - explore the River Wandle and learn more about it at the Wandle Industrial Museum in Merton

Join a guided walk - ad hoc and timetabled walks operate in Wimbledon, Richmond, Kingston and Twickenham - find out more from the Visitor Information Centres

Visit your local Visitor or Tourist Information Centre and find out more about your local area and what there is to see and do.

Why not follow a trail such as the Wandsworth Town Heritage Trail, or a nature trail like the ones on Oaks Park in Sutton, or Wimbledon Common

Cast away any thoughts of museums, galleries and visitor centres as being "boring" dusty old places that remind you of school-days. Many of them have been updated and now offer hands-on activities, events and special exhibitions to give you an insight into familiar places. Local museums are sometimes neglected - visit yours now! Choose from Wimbledon Museum of Local History, Kingston Museum, Museum of Richmond, and Wandsworth Museum.

South West London is rich in former palaces and historic houses, ranging from lesser known ones such as  Whitehall or Little Holland House in Sutton to grand more palace-like dwellings like Hampton Court Palace and Ham House. There are also several National Trust properties like Claremont Gardens near Surbiton or Morden Hall Park in Merton.

Churches are often wonderfully revealing relics of history and architecture. Some of the really interesting ones include St Mary's Addington, St Michael and All Angels with St James in Croydon, All Saints in Carshalton, and St Marys Church in Wandsworth.

 

 

Exploring underground is pretty different - visit the largest network of underground tunnels in London (apart from the tube of course) - Chislehurst Caves in Bromley is so big it housed 15,000 people in WW2.

 

 

London was originally a small Roman settlement, but little obvious evidence remains of its Roman past. Two of the rare exceptions are Crofton Roman Villa and Lullingstone Roman Villa.  

 

Turn a journey into a voyage of discovery - take a bus when you normally drive yourself, try the new tramlink from Wimbledon or take a river trip along the Thames with R J Turk and Sons.

Whether you're an experienced rider or complete novice, there is a horse for you - try riding on Wimbledon Common or Richmond Park. You usually need to book in advance but there are several stables to choose from.