Eleven Polyramblers set off from Acton Town Station on a dry, sunny day and quickly reached Gunnersbury Park recognised by English Heritage as one of the most important in the country. Both the grounds and buildings are Grade 11 listed and frequently used for filming including on the day we visited. We were told it was for series 2 of The Serpent. We strolled through the Italian Garden, past the Classical Arch, Gunnersbury House, Gothic Tower and Ruins, Orangery and through the nature reserve.

Walking through Carville Hill Park and the Brentford Towers Estate took us to the Thames Path which we followed past house boats, rusting ship hulls and new apartments to reach the junction with the Grand Union Canal at Brentford where vestiges of its industrial past were apparent. Lunch was taken at Johnson’s Island where there was the opportunity to view classic cars at the Duke of London Showrooms.

We then made our way to The Butts, a magnificent square flanked by detached Victorian villa and residences dating from the late 17th century, to reach the Weir pub’ at which the painter J. M. W. Turner stayed. Losing three walkers to a nearby hostelry we crossed the River Brent to rejoin the Grand Union Canal which we followed alongside new commercial buildings to enter Boston Manor Park with its fine Jacobean mansion. We followed a circular nature trail before making our way to Boston Manor Station.

 Thanks to Ida for the photos.

 Sunita and Jennifer.