Start at The Albany pub – because where else would you want to start a run but at a pub? (One day we can stop for a drink or two.) 

Come out of the car park, turn immediately right up the public pathway to Aragon Avenue. Turn right at the end then through the gate onto what Google Maps is now calling… Ditton Beach. Yes, Ditton Beach. It’s a beautiful stretch of river.

Follow the river round to the woods at the end, following the path round to the left. When you see the blue hockey pitches head left again, through the weirdly picturesque car park of Kingston Grammar School playing fields onto Summer Road. 

Left down Summer Road to the roundabout, about 150 yards, then right down Speer Road.

Under the railway bridge, past the station down Weston Green Road. Keep going for 3/4 of a mile – it’s a pretty, suburban road past Esher College and the tennis club. Keep an eye out for Weston Park on your left… When you get there, head down it. If you hit Hampton Court Way, you’ve overshot.

Down Weston Park to the end where it loops back on itself – head into the woods at the end. Turn left and GO! Run straight through the woods, taking whatever route you fancy, cross the road to Old Cranleighans and keep going. Eventually, you’ll not be able to go any further, so turn left down the very narrow path alongside the playing fields. 

Keep going to the end – then plough on at the end, cross the road and TRUST that there’s a sneaky path behind the houses. There is! Ash Path! Run right along Ash Path, under the railway, past the school to the end. Turn left, run through the gorgeous high street and at the tree in the centre, turn left, then first right towards the church.

Keep heading straight through the churchyard, out onto Summer Road. Turn left down Summer Road, keep going until Queen’s Road is on your right, run down the awesome Queen’s Road to The Albany where you drink a beer….(soon).

 Thanks to Thames Ditton resident Ed Craig for sharing his favourite short run. If you have a run you love and want to share with the world, drop me an email at helen@elmbridge360.co.uk