When walking in to the Palm Centre on Ham Street, a glance up to the left gives you a pleasing view of the Garden House with its pristine white walls and the woodwork freshly painted in a colour that I am not even going to try and guess the name of. Very nice chimneys too.
When I took a photograph here back in March it was of the old, worn and unreadable sign and I suggested then that a new one would be useful. Now there is a new one and I'm tempted to claim all the credit! I am also pleased to say that the old sign is still there hiding safely behind the new one.
Riverside Drive stands starkly against the open space around it and marks a clear boundary between the wild Ham Lands and the village.
Petersham Manor in River Lane proudly boasts a traditional weathervane which confirms that the road is almost due north-south at this point.
If you like old brick walls as much as I do then Ham is a great place to live. This fine example is in the rear garden of Rutland Lodge and in the background you can see Rosebank peeking back at us.
Petersham Manor usually hides behind a large wall and solid gates but if you walk along River Lane often enough eventually you'll find those gates neglecting their duty, allowing you a respectful glimpse of one of Petersham's gems.
The boundary of Ham House is a luscious mix of dark red brick and black railing punctuated magnificently by white pineapples.
This is Douglas Footpath and it certainly looks like a footpath, particularly now that it has been resurfaced and the hedges have been trimmed, but it is nice to have a sign to confirm that it is, indeed, really a footpath after all.
This plague may be attractive and informative but it has been laid below the high water level and so is already illegible.
My usual walking route to/from Richmond takes me along the path on the north side of Ham House. When returning to Ham it offers this very welcoming view as you approach Petersham Avenue.
I like the bistro on Ham Parade but it's a shame that whoever does their signs does not know how to use apostrophes. Their awning announces that they sell "coffee's" and this new A-board proclaims that they are "Hams" number one cafe.
At times exploring Ham on foot can be a bit like stepping into a Rupert the Bear story with charming cottages and wonderful woods were magical things live. Surely a secret place like this one just off Petersham Road is just the place to find a faerie hiding among the quiet bushes.
