The River's Not There, Richmond Upon Thames

Kids in bright yellow macs

are walking across it,

making a small miracle

because they can.

Shallow puddles, mudlark finds

are glinting on the river bed,

space filling the space

because the river’s not there.

We are holding our ear

to the uncanny silence

tasting the stopped rush of it

in the hollow of our mouth.

We are remembering river,

its always-there rhythm

pulse like our own,

absence inside our head.

By Robert Seatter

If you enjoyed this poem, take a look at the other Thames Path 30th Anniversary poems.

RICHMOND UPON THAMES

Periodically, certain sections of the Thames are drained or ‘drawn off’, to allow for annual maintenance – revealing the unseen river bed.

Situated 10 minutes southwest of London, Richmond Upon Thames, one of London’s most attractive boroughs, possesses a timeless charm more akin to a village than a town. Henry VII named Richmond after his favourite Earldom, Richmond in Yorkshire, and the gateway of his magnificent Palace, favoured by Elizabeth I, still remains.

The River Thames runs for over 10 miles through the borough, and spans both banks of the Thames, linking Hampton Court Palace, Richmond Town Centre and Kew Gardens with London. There’s plenty of things to do and some great accommodation. It’s array of open spaces includes beautiful Royal Parks and there’s historic houses, theatres, museums, galleries, and vibrant town centres.

The riverside around Richmond Bridge contains many bars and restaurants. The stretch of the Thames below Richmond Hill is known as Horse Reach, and includes Glover's Island. Richmond is now serviced by the London River Services with boats sailing daily between Westminster Pier and Hampton Court Palace and Turks offer river cruises between Richmond and Hampton Court Palace, stopping at Kingston.

Below are two Thames Path Walking Trails covering the North Bank and the South Bank, broken down into six sections.

North Bank: Section 1b goes from Radnor Gardens to Kew Bridge, passing through Richmond.

South Bank: Choose either Section 1a Teddington Lock to Richmond or Section 1b Richmond to Mortlake, passing the stunning Kew Palace & Kew Gardens.