Barnes Common, River and Wetland Centre Walk
This circular walk takes you around the London village of Barnes. It's an affluent and attractive area with nice walks to be had through the common, green and along the River Thames. There's also the splendid London Wetland Centre with its lakes, ponds, gardens and wide variety of wildlife.
The walk starts from Barnes train station and heads east across Barnes Common and Putney Lower Common. The commons consist of mixed broadleaf woodland, meadows, scrubland and acid grassland.
The commons lead you on to the pretty Beverley Brook which you follow to the River Thames. Head north along the Thames Path and you will soon come to the London Wetland Centre. For a fee you can explore the site and look out for a huge variety of wildlife including otters, Eurasian bittern, northern pintail, northern lapwing, water rail, rose-ringed parakeet, Eurasian sparrowhawk, sand martin, common kingfisher, little grebe and great crested grebe. The site also includes an excellent visitor centre and a nice cafe.
After exploring the site, the walk heads back to the river, heading north to Hammersmith Bridge. You continue through Chiswick before leaving the river and heading to Barnes Green. The pretty green has a pond and the Grade II listed Sun Inn on its fringe. The mid 18th century pub is a nice place for refreshments at the end of your walk.
There's lots of good options for extending your exercise in the area. You could try our Chiswick Riverside Walk and visit the lovely Chiswick House with its beautiful gardens and neo-Palladian villa.
You could also follow the Beverley Brook south through Roehampton to Richmond Park where there's miles of cycling and walking trails set in a huge deer park.
Barnes Common, River and Wetland Centre Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Barnes Common, River and Wetland Centre Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Barnes Common, River and Wetland Centre OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Barnes Common, River and Wetland Centre Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Barnes Common
River Thames at Barnes. Looking down river towards Hammersmith, several crews are out training.
This is the Peter Scott Visitor Centre building at the London Wetland Centre in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The London Wetland Centre is an approximately 100-acre wetland reserve managed by the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust.
Grey Heron at the Wetland Centre. Looking vaguely north across one of the small 'ponds' at the London Wetlands Centre (near Barnes).
On Barnes Common
Footpath, Barnes Common in the spring
Barnes Bridge
Barnes village green in late summer