Do you enjoy leisurely strolls in your local area and have a keen interest in history? Then we would love to meet you on our wellbeing history walks. They are free to join and there is no need to book.
These walks are led by fully trained and qualified walk leader and Elmbridge Museum volunteer Anthony Barnes who enjoys sharing his passion for walking and for history with like-minded people.
His knowledge of local history was acquired through years of learning, teaching, and by gathering interesting snippets of local history on his many journeys around the borough.
These informal guided walks give a first-hand experience of the fascinating heritage of Elmbridge.
Walks usually last 90 minutes and include many stops on easy terrain – generally the term 'amble' covers them. They are wheelchair-accessible, unless specified otherwise.
Here is our programme of historical walks for this autumn:
Wednesday 11 September: The great flood of 1968 in Molesey, 10:30am to 12 midday
Does the great flood of 1968 ring a bell to you? If you lived in Molesey then or now, you might be interested in the fascinating past of the area.
Meet: in Walton car park, 104 Walton Road, East
Thursday 3 October: East Molesey’s St. Mary’s ‘Inside and Out’, 10:30am to 12 midday
A church has stood on the site of St Mary’s Church for over 1,000 years. Explore the interior and exterior of the church. Find out about some of those whose lives are commemorated in the churchyard and the church itself.
Meet: St. Mary’s main entrance, St Mary's Road, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 0ST
Friday 8 November: A walk around Hersham Green, 10:30am to 12 midday
Hersham Green was part of the land awarded to the Poor following the Enclosure Act of 1800. Find out more about life in the old village and the enduring importance of the Green to the residents of Hersham.
Meet: Hersham Centre for the Community, 7 Queens Road, Hersham, KT12 5LU
Thursday 5 December: ‘Molesey-on-Thames’, 10:30am to 12 midday
How did the area around Hampton Court Bridge become a tourist attraction in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century? Join us for a stroll along the towpath to find out what made Molesey-on-Thames a magnet for ‘Sunday Londoners’.
Meet: Graburn Way, East Molesey, KT8 9DW – Towpath end
Councillor Simon Waugh, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Commercial Strategy, said, ‘The history walks are a fantastic addition to our wellbeing walks programme which does wonders to keep people active and discovering new areas of the borough. We are grateful to Elmbridge Museum and volunteer walk leader Anthony Barnes for sharing his incredible knowledge of local history with participants. These informal guided walks are a wonderful opportunity to bring the fascinating history of our borough to life. What a great way to help people remember, connect with, and celebrate our shared past!'.
Read more information about the Elmbridge wellbeing walks programme
View the full programme of history walks