Ham Common Woods

I've posted a few photographs of Ham Common Woods recently and I'll probably leave it alone for a while now but it is such a great place, particularly at this time of year, that it deserves one last mention.



One of the nicest things about Ham Common Woods is that is has so many trees and so is not dominated by bushes, shrubs or undergrowth. This little cluster of trees has created a clearing for themselves by depriving the ground of light.



Here the undergrowth has managed to get a toe-hold to make a green carpet between the trees but it is not a very thick carpet and is hardly a deterrent to the serious explorer.

Serious BMX jumps

Just over a year ago when I took a photograph of the home-made BMX circuit by Teddington Lock it was little more than a few small bumps but now it has developed into something really serious. There are more and bigger bumps and a curved bank at the far end.

Paying close attention

Only last week the cob (male) swan was paying little attention to the pen (female) as she sat on the nest and he was happy to swim all over the pond but now he is staying very close which means that we should be seeing some cygnets soon.

Sudbrook Cottages

Sudbrook Cottages in Ham Gate Avenue look gorgeous all year round thanks to the earth brown bricks, the classic windows and the pleasing proportions, but they look even better when all the plants nearby are in leaf and flower.

The Copse

The Copse sits snugly on the eastern edge of Ham Lands lying between Meadlands Drive and Petersham Avenue.

It is best viewed from Melancholy Walk across the horse riding area. Here the view is nicely framed by the flowers and trees that border the path.

Inside The Copse a number of paths weave between the trees to give the explorer a choice of routes through and out of the woods.

Flowers in Great South Avenue

I am not a fan of the recent work on Great South Avenue as for most of the year it leaves the avenue wide, empty and boring. Spring is different!

Soon the flowers and grasses will be cut back to the line of the trees but at the moment they are allowed to bloom to provide a colourful reminder of how beautiful the avenue can be if left to nature. This is the South-East corner looking along the avenue towards Ham House.


These flowers are at the other end of the avenue, that is the North-West corner looking along the avenue towards Ham Common.

Hand and Flower reopening soon

For almost two years the Hand and Flower pub (on the corner of Ham Common) was the Legless Frog bistro but now it is to become the Hand and Flower again. Former regulars, like myself, are hoping that it will be a proper pub again where we can drop in at any time and meet up with other locals.

Gardens at St Michael's Convent

St Michael's Convent on Ham Common is a large, but fairly boring, building behind which is a large and attractive garden. The garden is private but is open on a few rare days as part of the National Gardens Scheme.


The garden is in various sections, including a vegetable garden and a formal lawn with borders, but the most attractive part is the orchard where this path provides and attractive view back towards the house.


Along one of the edges of the garden the path is less formal but no less attractive.


The orchard sits in the middle of the rear part of the garden doubles as a wild garden with long grass and some wild flowers that, despite being quite small, attract attention through their sharp brilliant colours.

Hardwicke House on Ham Common

Hardwicke House stands out from its neighbours on Ham Common because of its brilliant white finish that looks especially dramatic when viewed from the Common through a frame of trees. The blooming wisteria helps the look too.