We know how it is. If you haven't visited London in a while it can be pretty confusing thinking about where to go - there are so many tourist attractions to see and even though you might have seen Big Ben many times, you can't help but be drawn to it again. The next weekend or day trip you take however we recommend you put on those walking shoes and take time out to see an alternative London.
Little Venice to Camden – a three mile walk that takes you through picturesque aptly-named Little Venice by Warwick Avenue, West London, through Primrose Hill and St John’s Wood to Regent’s Park and London Zoo. Onwards towards Camden Lock, you’ll come across a Chinese floating restaurant before reaching the famous Camden Lock and the vibrant Stables Market of this leftfield part of London.
Parkland Walk – a fabulous disused railway line that has been opened up as a green footpath and cycleway. The path stretches from Finsbury Park through Crouch End and up to Highgate then hops up and onto Alexandra Palace. This is a fantastic four and a half mile long walk to take one summer evening or lazy Sunday. The walk makes it easy to forget you’re in a busy city. Only when you cross over a busy road on an old bridge will you remember where you are. The Parkland walk is London’s longest Local Nature Reserve and it supports a great abundance of flora and fauna.
Highgate cemetery – don’t let the thought of visiting a cemetery put you off. Highgate cemetery is a fascinating insight into Victorian London life and remains a rare slice of untouched history. Karl Marx is buried in the East cemetery but it's the West cemetery that is the real draw. Mysterious, gothic, atmospheric, ethereal, enchanting and peaceful are all great ways to describe this setting. Creepy and morbid it is not. Beautifully rescued and conserved by Friends of Highgate cemetery, this is a place to visit again and again in the different seasons to fully appreciate the beauty and historic value of this location.
Thames Path - The Thames Path actually stretches from the source in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier in Greenwich. For a good London walk trek from the Cutty Sark in Greenwich to the London Eye on the South Bank. Greenwich itself is a lovely part of London to explore with the park, Observatory and National Maritime Museum all free of charge. Onwards through Deptford towards the docklands mariners and you’ll hit Surrey Docks Farm – a rather surprising contrast to the scenes of the Canary Wharf! Further on, you’ll reach the impressive Butler’s Wharf, with an array of restaurants and bars to rest in. The final section is the most well known and argueably the most enjoyable – Tower Bridge, Tower of London, City Hall, London Bridge, Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, and finally the London Eye – phew!
Queens Wood – Highgate Wood’s lesser-known sister is Queens Woods – ancient woodland in North London. The woods are even thought to form part of the ‘wildwood’ which covered Britain more than five thousand years ago. Over 21 hectares are available to explore. Queens Wood is more wild and unkempt than trim Highgate Woods and this forms part of its beauty.
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