Wind in the Willows - the Thames riverside from Richmond to Twickenham

Laura Agustín has been a writer, researcher and critical historian all her life. She has been a Londoner since the 1960s, although she has lived in other towns and countries. Author ofSex at the Margins: Migration, Labour Markets and the Rescue Industry,she has for many years focused on getting the stories out of women and others marginalised because of being poor, foreign, ‘different’ or doing jobs some folks think are Wrong, in the present and in the past. She spent time with illuminated manuscripts at the British Library looking for clues to how women lived 1000 years ago, and couldn’t stop reading even if she wanted to. She is known asThe Naked Anthropologist.She has qualified as a tour guide in order to take this focus to the streets, where guided history walks rarely talk about the poor except as objects of charity.

The Naked Anthropologist

Richmond is Sir David Attenborough's favourite place on the planet, and the stretch of the river to Twickenham is the very best part.

Richmond Station

<p>Your fantasy of classic English countryside come true in the city. This stretch of the River Thames will put you in mind of boating holidays with Mole and Ratty, unless your first thought is of Ted Lasso! Talking especially of women's lives working at court as maids of honour, royal mistresses and queens (and sculptors and salon-holders), we see a wide village green, narrow lanes, the Tudor gatehouse of Richmond Palace, Old Deer Park. swimming birds and working boathouses. Crossing Richmond Bridge we walk southwards along the river, passing Marble Hill House and other mansions with parklands and gardens, along with an octagonal masterpiece building and the old White Swan pub, where we'll take a break. On and off amongst the wildflowers and shrubbery you have views of the other side of the river, boats floating by and dogs paddling in the rushes. It's dreamy, and near the end you'll see the Naked Ladies statues and Eel Pie Island, famous for big-star rock concerts in the 1960s. You'll also see the church and old lanes of Twickenham before coming to the high street, where Twickenham rail station is near or you can hop on a quick bus back to Richmond. It's a slightly longer walk because everyone wants to dawdle and soak up the gentle beauty.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.lauraagustin.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Naked Anthropologist </a>is Laura's longtime blog, now dedicated to historical walks that highlight issues of Gender, Sex and Class.</p>