Day 4 Chelsea Bridge to Barnes Bridge

This is the section of the river I am walking today. To get to Chelsea bridge where I finished my previous day's walk I had to get a train into London then the underground to Sloane square and a bus to the bridge.

 I crossed the bridge to get onto the path which runs alongside Battersea Park. A sponsored walk for Breast cancer had just started with people wearing a wonderful array of colourful costumes.

This was the sign I was looking for and I was off on my next stage of the journey, taking me through one of the great Victorian parks. Battersea Park was opened to the public in 1858 by Queen Victoria. It was laid out on marshy land using soil from the newly excavated docks.

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This is the London Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park. This was the 70th pagoda to be built worldwide by a Buddhist order.

Most seats face the river but the ones along here face away from the river towards the park.

The next bridge across the river is Albert Bridge .

Albert Bridge is one of the most beautiful of the Thames bridges. Its delicate lines are painted in pastel pinks, greens and gold. Built in 1873 it is not a very strong bridge and traffic is restricted to prevent damage to this elegant bridge.

Here I leave the park, crossing the road passing alongside the Albert Bridge.

Following the walkway I cross a small swing bridge that leads into a dock.

The lock gates were closed. Inside the dock were some very smart looking boats.

This is the Couper collection of barges including the last two built on the Thames.The invention of shipping containers in the 60s have made working barges redundant.

Some very smart apartments along this part of the river.

This is Battersea bridge. The original bridge built in 1771 was a wooden structure with 17 narrow arches. It was the subject of a number of paintings by Whistler and Turner.The present iron bridge was built in 1890.

Before going up the steps to cross Battersea bridge I came across two swans about to take flight.

Once across road and back to the riverside, the the pathway opens out to a much wider area with this sculpture 'In Town' by John Ravera taking centre stage.

Across the river you can see many moored houseboats of all shapes and sizes.

Following the bend of the river I was surprised to see some old sailing barges moored on this side of the river just below the beautiful church of St Mary, Battersea. It is an unusual church as its churchyard goes down to the river's edge.This 18th cent church was often visited byTurner to admire the sunsets from here. It was also used by the poet William Blake who was married here in 1782

There has been a church on this site for centuries. St Mary's church Battersea was first mentioned in the Doomsday book.

Looking back at the church as I continue on my way, it seems as if the church is standing over the river as its protector.

Walking to the next bridge takes me passed many more new housing developments.

 

This is Battersea railway bridge. It is unusual as it does not cross at right angles to the bank. Work has started to update the bridge and as a consequence I have to detour around it.

This would appear to be a privately owned pier and not one used by the Thames water taxis.

I was surprised to see the helicopters landing on the riverfront as I thought the heliport was on the top of a building.

It was a Sunday when I was doing this walk and the helicopters were landing and taking off every few minutes. I can only assume they were taking tourists for a trip down the Thames although I saw no signs advertising this which is a bit unusual. As I had to walk away from the river to go around the heliport  I saw that it is situated at the back of a large hotel.

 

 

 Back on the path once more I pass the apartments on the site of an old candle factory and then the impressive plantation wharf.

The walkway leads me to the next bridge - Wandsworth road bridge.