Explore East Molesey through three defining themes: Hampton Court Palace, the Thames and local history. For your trip planning, these offer different points of focus—gardens and a palace visit, paths along the river or architectural history. Hampton Court Palace is in East Molesey. Its gardens cover 60 acres and include the popular Magic Garden adventure playground. The palace connection therefore extends from the gardens to an area explicitly designed as an adventure playground.

Paths and activities along the Thames

The Thames provides a clear point of reference for walks and trips. The Thames Path, a nationally designated long-distance trail, crosses the river at Hampton Court Bridge between Hampton Court and East Molesey. Within the East Molesey Conservation Area, the section there offers direct, open access to the Thames. The bridge marks the long-distance trail’s river crossing; the open access refers to the stretch of path within the Conservation Area.

Cigarette Island is a public park in the Kent Town Conservation Area, reached along the riverbank. The island is part of the riverside paths and the tree-lined riverbank in this section. It also forms part of the wider landscape setting of Hampton Court Palace. A visit to the river can therefore focus on different aspects: the route of the Thames Path, a public park and the riverside greenery that belongs to the palace’s surroundings.

Activities on the river also vary. Molesey Boat Club offers adults supervised, seasonal courses in crew boats. These include rowing, as well as instruction in navigation and safety on the Thames. If you are interested in crew rowing, check course dates and registration details with the club. At Molesey Lock, fishing is permitted in the weir channel below the weir, from a concrete platform. A footpath leads from the war memorial towards the river and the lock. Check the latest information on access and fishing before visiting.

Local history and getting there

The East Molesey Kent Town Conservation Area lies on the south bank of the Thames, opposite Hampton Court Palace. It includes Hampton Court Station and Cigarette Island. The East Molesey Old Village Conservation Area has a different historical focus: it is based on the original village settlement around the Church of St Mary. The two areas offer different points of reference—one by the river and opposite the palace, the other around the church and the original settlement.

The Church of St Mary was built by Talbot Bury between 1864 and 1867. A side aisle, designed by Charles Barry Junior, was added in 1883. This sequence reveals a specific history of development: the addition of the side aisle followed the construction of the church. The church thus offers an architectural point of reference alongside the palace and river themes.

Hampton Court Palace can be reached by public transport; Hampton Court is the nearest railway station. The station is also part of the Kent Town Conservation Area. If a visit to the palace is a key part of your stay, you can use it as a reference point when planning your journey and check the latest timetable before setting off. Choose East Molesey based on the themes you want your trip to focus on.

Discover more destinations: Addlestone, Salfords, Ash, Lingfield, Albury, Mickleham, Chertsey, Shepperton.

For the broader travel overview: Surrey.