A full day, leisurely, family-friendly outing to see the breath-taking azaleas in bloom in the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park. This is the ideal opportunity for kids to climb trees, for adults to enjoy the largest park in London, and for all to enjoy a picnic and the flowers. Hopefully we’ll see the deer somewhere on route, too. Isabella Plantation website
Meet 10:00 outside West Hampstead Overground Station, on the plaza in front of Marks & Spencer.
Overground train leaving at 10:30 to Richmond. Return expected at 17:00. Cycling distance: 15km.
Less confident adult riders and children are welcome and encouraged. Children but must be accompanied by a responsible adult (18+).
We are always looking for experienced cyclists to help those less confident on the ride.
Isabella plantation does not have a café where we are entering. Please bring picnic blankets and food and drinks. Please bring bicycle locks to secure your bicycles outside the plantation.
We’ll take the Overground train to Richmond and back, so you will need Overground tickets (Oyster Cards and Bank Cards also work). Bicycles are permitted on the Overground weekends all day. While both stations have lifts there is always a risk that lifts will be out of service and that we’ll have to carry bikes up and down stairs.
Parts of the route through Richmond Park are off-road on uneven ground. The route is largely off-road on shared pedestrian paths but includes some, usually, quiet roads. It includes some hills, notably one up from the river to Richmond gate where we will have to push the bikes. Inside the park is another hill up to the Royal Ballet School.
Plans will be adjusted according to the group’s ability. The rough outline is as follows: we’ll stop for snacks and play near Sheen Gate. We’ll continue to Isabella plantation and have a longer picnic and break. We’ll have a shorter break on the playground at Petersham gate before riding back along the river to Richmond station.
You will need to register for the ride on Eventbrite. If you are an experienced cyclist and would like to help marshal the ride, do not register but email Geoff Stilwell at geoffreyccc@gmail.com.
Date: 30th Apr 2023
Time: 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Location West Hampstead Overground Station
Categories
Contact Name Geoff Stilwell
Contact Phone 07788202489
Contact email geoffreyccc@gmail.com