We began our Putney Heath walk on a beautiful spring Saturday. My partner and I met a friend at East Putney Station for a leisurely walk with our cute Jack Tzu dog. The route took a few leisurely hours, making it perfect for a half-day escape within London. Putney is an affluent part of southwest London in the Borough of Wandsworth, and it offers access to a remarkable network of green spaces. Wimbledon and Putney Commons (including Putney Heath, Putney Lower Common, Wimbledon Common, and the Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields) have been protected by Parliament since 1871. This ecologically rich landscape of woodlands, heath, grasslands, and ponds is open to the public day and night. For anyone looking for a day out, Putney Heath is one of the best places in southwest London to take a refreshing walk.
Putney Heath Walk Highlights
Starting from East Putney Station (also near Putney Station for those arriving by train), we made our way up Putney Hill, a gentle climb bordered by elegant period homes. Passing the Green Man pub, we turned off the road into the open, leafy expanse of Putney Heath, which gradually merges into Wimbledon Common. Although often considered separate, the two commons blend into each other, offering a diverse landscape of woodland paths, open glades and small lakes.
We paused by the Putney Heath Cricket Club to watch part of a match on the green, a relaxing and quintessentially English scene.
Soon after, we reached The Telegraph, a charming pub tucked deep in the heart of the heath. It’s named after the Admiralty Telegraph station that once stood here from 1796 to 1848, forming part of the semaphore system that transmitted messages between London and Portsmouth during the Napoleonic Wars. The pub describes itself as a “country pub at heart,” the setting lived up to the description. Its large outdoor area, with generous wooden tables and a relaxed atmosphere, made for an inviting lunch stop.
The menu is wide-ranging and features wood-fired pizzas from an outdoor oven. My partner and friend ordered pizzas, one with chorizo and green chilli, the other with goat’s cheese and rocket. Both were excellent. I went for the vegan burger with fries, which was hearty, satisfying and well presented.
After lunch, we continued walking toward Kingsmere Pond, a quiet and sheltered area where signs ask visitors to keep dogs out of the water to protect the birdlife.
From there, we followed shaded woodland paths under a high tree canopy and soft ground underfoot, heading toward the Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields. The area also carries a strong sense of history. A memorial stone here commemorates the London Regiment and the Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own), trained on this land as part of the Tenth Regiment of Foot, later known as the Royal Fusiliers.
Our route then led through Putney Vale Cemetery, opened in 1891 and notable for being the final resting place of several prominent figures, including the archaeologist Howard Carter, who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun.
The path beyond brought us to Queensmere, a tranquil lake surrounded by mature trees. This lake was created in honour of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and was once the site of duels, which took place here in the early 19th century. After a fatal incident in 1838, the practice ended. Today, Queensmere is a quiet, reflective spot with water lilies, swans and fish such as perch and tench gliding beneath the surface.
Continuing along the trails, we passed golfers enjoying a round at nearby Wimbledon Common Golf Club, where parts of the course run close to the woodland paths. The occasional glimpse of a fairway or a player in mid-swing added a genteel, almost cinematic backdrop to the walk.
Eventually, we reached Wimbledon Village and its distinctive war memorial. Erected in 1919 at the junction of the High Street, Parkside, the Causeway and the Green, the granite memorial honours those from the local area who died in the First World War, with later inscriptions added to remember those lost in the Second World War.
Wimbledon Village is attractive with cafés and boutiques, historic landmarks and a relaxed, almost rural atmosphere. From there, we headed downhill to Wimbledon Station, which offers National Rail and District Line connections back into central London. The entire walk felt like a proper escape, an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, history and good food without leaving the city.
Helpful Information About Putney Heath
It’s easy to begin the route at either East Putney or Putney Station, served by the District Line and mainline trains. Tailor this walk to suit your time, with plenty of places to stop from pubs and cafés to cricket greens, ponds and peaceful woodland paths. For anyone after a half-day London walk that combines greenery, heritage and a satisfying pub lunch, this one is well worth your time. Here is a link to more information about Putney Heath and Wimbledon Common. Enjoy your visit.
While you are in the area, you may find this article of interest:
Lunch At The Telegraph Pub Putney Heath London
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.