Now virtually devoid of all commercial traffic, the Thames below Teddington is quiet and unspoilt, a world apart from urbanised surroundings a few miles further down river. Teddington lock is not the point of no return that many imagine it to be -- although the fleets of hire cruisers let on the upper Thames are generally prohibited from venturing below the lock for insurance reasons. Navigation to Richmond is perfectly possible at all states of the tide, with the help of the Richmond lock and its tide barrier.

Below Richmond, the river winds past Isleworth, Old Deer Park, Kew Gardens and Syon Park. In Syon Reach there are numerous shoals on the Surrey side of the channel. If you draw more than 2'6" you would be well advised to avoid this reach around low water.

A mile and a half downriver from Richmond on the Middlesex bank is Brentford creek, and the entrance to the Grand Union Canal. From upstream the entrance is inconspicuous, so start preparing as you pass Syon park.

At Kew Bridge take the centre span, as there are often passenger boats berthing at or leaving Kew Gardens Pier, which is under the Surrey arch.

Tidal information
The river is fully tidal as far as Richmond. High tide at Brentford, 1.5 miles below Richmond, occurs approximately 1 hour after high tide at London Bridge. Between Teddington and Richmond, to maintain an adequate depth of water for navigation the river is kept above half-tide by the tide barrier at Richmond lock.

The Tideway pages are maintained by John Kennett
Comments, corrections and additions are always welcome