Sunbury

About

Riverside Sunbury, locally known as Lower Sunbury has many links with the past. The Parish Church of St Mary, overlooking the Thames has a tower and nave dating from 1752, but is on the site of a 14th Century building. A yew tree within the churchyard was mentioned in the Dickens’ classic “Oliver Twist” and the town was further mentioned in Jerome K. Jerome's 'Three Men in a Boat' in regards to the difficulty of rowing up the Sunbury portion of the Thames.

Riverside Sunbury is also the home of the Sunbury Millennium Embroidery, crafted by locals, the embroidery reflects the history of the town and the world we live in today so that it may be enjoyed by future generations. In 2006 the embroidery was moved to it's permanant home alongside the Sunbury Walled Garden, which is set out on classical formal lines including traditional knot gardens, parterres and a Victorian rose garden along with a special bed dedicated to the Princess of Wales. Alongside the Walled Garden is Orchard Meadow, an attractive village green for the town.

Sunbury is also the home to Kempton Park Racecourse, also known as “London’s Racecourse” which holds regular race meetings throughout the year.

Along with pretty walks along the river, you can hire a boat from Wilson’s Boat Yard to enjoy the scenery and enjoy the riverside attractions. Sunbury railway station connects to both London Waterloo and Shepperton, and also Kempton Park station that operates on race days.

Sunbury Lock and Ait (Island) is nearby but is inaccessible from the road and can be reached along the towpath from The Weir Hotel or Elmbridge Leisure Centre on the Walton on Thames side.

The Thames Path

To join the Thames Path from Sunbury you will need to either cross on the Walton on Thames Bridge or in the other direction by the Hampton Ferry.