A visit to Brentford

A nice place to visit is Brentford, where you are now able to walk alongside the river all the way to the Grand Union Canal. Back in July I led my photographic group there one evening, which was great fun (the Putney & Barnes satellite group for London Independent Photography londonphotography.org.uk). Transport is easy, as you can take a train to Kew Bridge and pick up the river path going west beside the bridge.

Brentford from Kew Bridge.

Map courtesy of Open Street Maps

There are many interesting things to see along the way, including old boats, which is always an attraction to photographers. The area is in transition, so still fairly industrial in places, so there are old building to see too, plus the odd fox.

If you arrange your trip to align with a low tide, there’s more to see, including some of the local wildlife.

There’s quite a bit of graffiti to see, some of it rather imaginative.

The road bridge over the Grand Union Canal.

On reaching the beginning of the Grand Union Canal, you can either keep walking, or like us, you can turnaround. We headed for The Weir Bar, which is a rather fine gastro pub (22-24 Market Pl, Brentford TW8 8EQ), and just happens to be the home of one of my many heroes, the painter, JMW Turner. We then caught the train back from Brentford station, which you reach by walking through a beautiful Georgian part of town, The Butts Conservation Area. It was pretty dark by the time we reached here, so if you would prefer to see something of The Butts, I suggest arriving earlier in the day.

If you happen to go, do please let me know how you got on?

Plus, if you’d like to know more about my photography group please get in touch.

The beginning of the canal.

I love swans and always carry a little food with me to reward them for being my models.

The sun going down under Kew Bridge.