Dukes Meadows

Dukes Meadows is a riverside park in Chiswick, west London, set right on the Thames. This stretch of open green space has served locals for nearly a century as a place for sport, strolling and family outings. For visitors it makes a calm break from the crowds of central London.

What is the history of Dukes Meadows?

The council bought the land in 1923 and the park opened in 1926. The meadows have stayed open to the public ever since. The park is looked after by the Dukes Meadows Trust, and its upkeep is partly supported by a regular market held on site.

What can you do at Dukes Meadows?

The park is above all a place for active leisure. You will find football pitches, children's play areas and a riverside promenade with a bandstand. The walk along the Thames is flat and easy, so it suits families with small children and older visitors too.

There is also a pay-and-play sports complex with no membership required. It offers a nine-hole par 3 golf course, a shorter academy course, a putting green, a floodlit driving range, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a gym and an indoor ski slope. A cafe with a bar and on-site parking are available.

Along the water stand the boathouses of rowing clubs. Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club and Cygnet Rowing Club are among those using the riverbank, so on a fine day you will often see crews out on the Thames.

What is Chiswick Farmers' Market?

Dukes Meadows hosts the Chiswick Farmers' Market, a market of local food. Its income helps pay for the park's maintenance. It is a good excuse to combine a walk with some regional shopping or an outdoor breakfast.

What is the Dukes Meadows Footbridge?

Since 2023 the Dukes Meadows Footbridge has formed part of the Thames Path, the walking route along the river. It passes under the northern span of Barnes railway bridge and links two sections of the path, saving walkers a detour of roughly half a kilometre inland. The footbridge was designed by Moxon Architects and has won an architecture award. For fans of modern design it is one more reason to visit.

How to plan your visit

• Who it suits: families, runners, walkers, rowing fans and golfers.
• How long: an hour for a stroll along the promenade, half a day if you plan to play sport or visit the market.
• When: most pleasant on warm, dry days when the river and lawns come alive.
• Nearby: easy to combine with a walk around Chiswick, or along the Thames Path towards Barnes.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Dukes Meadows? The park itself is open to the public. Charges apply only to commercial activities such as golf, tennis or the ski slope.

Can you eat there? Yes, the sports complex has a cafe with a bar, and the market offers local food.

Is it suitable for children? Yes, there are play areas and wide, flat paths beside the river.

Is it part of the Thames Path? Yes, since 2023 the Dukes Meadows Footbridge brings the area into the route.