Walking in London. Peter Aylmer

      

      About the Author

      Peter Aylmer discovered the joys of walking in London as a way of relaxing after work – first by walking back home through Epping Forest, and then by using the Regent’s Canal instead of the Central Line. Over many years he has found just how good London can be to walkers, if you know where to look.

      While writing this book, Peter was chair of the London branch of the Long Distance Walkers Association, which offers both long day walks and short evening walks in and around the London area. Beyond London, Peter has completed many long-distance trails and has developed his own routes from the south to the north of each of Wales, England and Scotland. Keen on Britain’s wild places as much as its greatest city, he is publications editor for the Mountain Bothies Association. Peter's website is www.trailman.co.uk.

      WALKING IN LONDON: PARK, HEATH AND WATERSIDE WALKS

      25 walks in London's green spaces

      by Peter Aylmer

      JUNIPER HOUSE, MURLEY MOSS,

      OXENHOLME ROAD, KENDAL, CUMBRIA LA9 7RL

      www.cicerone.co.uk

      © Peter Aylmer 2017

      First edition 2017 Reprinted 2019 (with updates)

      ISBN 9781783625451

      Printed in China on behalf of Latitude Press Ltd

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

      All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.

       © Crown copyright 2017 OS PU100012932

      Acknowledgments

      The London Wildlife Trust, and in particular its Director of Conservation Mathew Frith, helped to point me in the right direction for some of London’s great wildlife habitats, which form a theme throughout the book. Mark Gorman, a historian of London’s open spaces, has provided valuable comment on this aspect, another key theme. Thanks also to the wildlife photographers whose work features in this book, several of whom are linked to the Wren Wildlife and Conservation Group.

      Two local groups have been of inestimable help in putting these walks together: the London branch of the Long Distance Walkers Association and the Wren Group, whose main interest is Wanstead Flats. Both found themselves taken to far-flung parts of the capital with draft walk directions thrust in their hand, to make sure that I could distinguish left from right. Any remaining errors rest with the author, alas.

      Updates to this Guide

      While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Any updates that we know of for this guide will be on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk/813/updates), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, Juniper House, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, LA9 7RL, United Kingdom.

      Register your book: To sign up to receive free updates, special offers and GPX files where available, register your book at www.cicerone.co.uk.

      CONTENTS

       Map key

       Overview Map

       Route summary table

       INTRODUCTION

       The geology of London

       London’s open spaces

       When to go

       Safety in London

       Getting around London

       Access

       What to take

       Maps

       Using this guide

       EAST: ESSEX TO THE LEA

       Walk 1 Rainham Marshes and Coldharbour Point

       Walk 2 Dagenham’s open spaces

       Walk 3 Epping Forest from Chingford

       Walk 4 Wanstead Flats and Park

       Walk 5 Olympic Park and Greenway

       Walk 6 River Lea

       NORTH: LEA TO BRENT

       Walk 7 Enfield Chase

       Walk 8 Regent’s Canal

       Walk 9 New River and Parkland Walk

       Walk 10 Royal Parks

       Walk 11 Hampstead Heath

       Walk 12 Dollis Valley Greenwalk

       WEST: BRENT TO WANDLE

       Walk 13 Ruislip Woods

       Walk 14 Yeading Brook

       Walk 15 Crane Park

       Walk 16 Bushy Park and Home Park

       Walk 17 Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park

       Walk 18 Kew and Isleworth

       Walk 19 Wandle Trail

       SOUTH: EAST OF THE WANDLE

       Walk 20 Happy Valley

       Walk 21 Hills and woods of Croydon

       Walk 22 Sydenham Hill Wood

       Walk 23 Woodlands of south-east London