Discover Walton: Explore Our Updated Walton Trails with New Audio Guides

How well do you really know Walton-on-Thames?

You may pass its historic buildings, riverside landmarks and familiar streets every day, but behind them are stories involving naval heroes, pioneering filmmakers, royalty, an American President and even the early history of baseball.

We have now made it easier to discover those stories with the newly updated Walton Trails, part of our new Discover Walton section on the Love Walton website.

The original Town Centre trails and River Route were created by the Walton-on-Thames Trading Alliance (WoTTA) and have now been updated by Walton BID, bringing the routes, maps and historical information together online. And there is something new to discover along the way: audio guides are now available for the historic locations, so you can listen to their stories while you explore.

Take a Walk Through Walton’s History

There are four routes to choose from, so whether you have an hour or an afternoon, there is an easy way to start exploring.

Town Centre Short Route

At 1.25 miles, the shorter Town Centre Trail is a great introduction to Walton’s history and takes around 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace.

Along the route you can discover stories connected with Admiral Rodney, St Mary’s Church, Oliver Cromwell, Russian royalty and some of Walton’s other historic buildings and residents. The route covers eight historic sites and is wheelchair friendly.

Town Centre Extended Route

If you have a little more time, the extended route takes the walk to around 3.5 miles and adds more of Walton’s intriguing history.

Among the additional stories are the Walton home of future US President Herbert Hoover, the site of the former Birds Eye headquarters and the memorial to Second World War pilot Flight Sergeant Charles Sydney. The route also leads into Ashley Park, another place with a particularly surprising claim to fame.

The Thames River Route

Prefer a walk by the water? The 2-mile River Route combines Walton’s riverside scenery with stories from different periods of the town’s history.

The route begins in the town centre before heading towards the Thames, taking in locations connected with the beginnings of the British film industry, New Zealand soldiers during the First World War, Walton Bridge, the historic wharf, Riverhouse Barn and other landmarks beside the river. There are also plenty of opportunities to stop for a drink or something to eat along the way.

The Postbox Trail

There is even a trail hidden in something most of us probably walk past without a second glance.

Walton’s 3-mile Postbox Trail takes you in search of six historic postboxes bearing the royal cyphers of different monarchs. The trail was originally created by Walton resident Jill Clarke to entertain her young grandson Dan in the early 2000s and offers a fun, slightly different way to explore the town on foot or by bike. One of the Postboxes is just into Hersham.

Listen as You Explore

One of the biggest additions to the Walton Trails is the new audio guide.

At each location, you can use your phone to listen to the story behind the place you are standing in. Rather than simply reading a plaque or following a map, the guides help bring the people and events connected with Walton to life as you walk.

You can also explore the locations individually, so there is no need to complete an entire trail. If you happen to be passing somewhere featured on the map, simply look it up and discover the story behind it.

Maps can be downloaded before you set out, and the trails are suitable for exploring on foot or, in many places, by bike.

There’s More to Discover

The Walton Trails are just one part of our new Discover Walton section.

We’ve brought together a growing collection of local history and stories for anyone who would like to find out a little more about the town.

You can delve into The History of Walton, from its Celtic and Anglo-Saxon beginnings through to the many people and events that have shaped the town. Walton appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, while later chapters in its story include its bridges, pioneering film industry and some rather famous residents.

Then there is The History of Walton and Baseball. One of Walton’s more unexpected claims to fame is a documented game of “Bass-Ball” played here by Frederick, Prince of Wales, in 1749. Research has linked the game to Ashley Park, making this a fascinating part of both Walton’s story and the early history of the sport.

You can also discover the story behind The Walton Mural Project on Hepworth Way. Completed in 2026 by artist and illustrator Nathan Evans following community consultation, the mural incorporates elements of Walton’s history and natural environment into a striking piece of public art.

And once you think you know Walton, there is only one thing left to do: take The Walton Quiz. Fourteen questions put your local knowledge to the test, covering everything from Walton’s famous residents and filmmaking history to bridges, sport and some decidedly unusual former inhabitants! Thank you to our friends at WoTTA for creating the quiz.

How Well Do You Know Walton?

Whether you have lived here for decades, have recently moved to the area or are visiting for the day, there is probably something about Walton that will surprise you.

So choose a route, grab your phone and head out to explore. You can find The Walton Trail, downloadable maps, audio guides and all our other local history features under Discover Walton on the Love Walton website.

You might be surprised by just how much history is hiding in the streets you walk every day.