London Wall / City Walk (10km or 6mi)

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Introduction
If you don’t work in the City,  it becomes a place you don't frequent that often. At least, that was the case for me and so I decided it was time to rediscover the square mile. During the weekend, it’s all quiet and perfect to explore a bit more of its past and present. If you want to experience the hustle and bustle of the square mile, weekdays are more suitable. Walking down the little alleyways, you can easily imagine how quickly the Great Fire must have spread. Although, there is a story to tell about every square inch of it, this is not an attempt to make a historic account of the City. I listed a few points I found interesting and added links for those who want to find out more.  If you are looking for more information, I would advise to book a guided tour walk, take a break at the  Museum of London or read Peter Ackroyd's book, London The Biography.

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The Blackfriars, start and end of the walk

Finsbury Park to Stoke Newington (Practical, 7.5km or 4.6mi)

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Introduction

Waiting in Line? @Abney Park

I believe keeping fit is easy if you are practical about it. Replacing your bus or tube journey by a walk, is a simple solution. It saves you money, you get to know and enjoy the area around you better and it doesn't cost you that much more time. All you need is some proper shoes (and waterproofs!).

I posted a scenic walk from Finsbury Park to Stoke Newington, via the water reservoirs. This post shows a quicker and practical version of the walk for those living in Finsbury Park and up for some Sunday grocery shopping at Church Street in Stoke Newington. The length of this walk is 3.75km (2.3mi) or 7.5km (4.6mi) for the return journey. If you get there and you're tired, just jump on the 106 back to Finsbury Park.

Finsbury Park to Stoke Newington (Scenic, 6.5km or 4mi)

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Introduction
This walk starts from Finsbury Park Station and ends at Stoke Newington. Interesting places along the way are the Water Reservoirs, the Climbing Castle, Clissold Park and Abney Park Cemetery. It is part of the New River Path and the Capital Ring Walk. The new river path isn't actually a river but a water supply aqueduct, running from Hertfordshire to the East and West Reservoir. The entire path is 28 miles long.

Scrumpy lovers can make a stop halfway at the Brownswood Bar and Diner (just after the climbing castle). The journey ends at Church Street, providing many breakfast and lunch opportunities, and Abney Park Cemetery, one of the magnificent seven garden cemeteries of London.

Getting there

Start: Finsbury Park Station

End: bus 106 to Finsbury Park
from the Northern exit of Abney Park Cemetery/Stoke Newington High St

Pictures

Finsbury Park

Commute Run Nag's Head to Strand (6.7km or 4mi)

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Running is becoming an increasingly popular way to commute. It's more enjoyable when you choose for quiet roads with broad pavements. I commuted twice a week from Nag's Head to Strand and so far, this is the best option I found to do it. I would love to hear your suggestions!

Good Morning York Way / King's Cross!

Waterlow Park - Highgate - Hampstead - Parkland Walk (11km or 7mi)

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Introduction

This versatile walk takes you through Highgate. The total length of the walk is 11km but there are various options to shorten the route. You can easily make it a day out by visiting Highgate Cemetery or extend your walk in Hampstead Heath. The walk starts at Lauderdale House/Waterlow Park and ends at Finsbury Park.

Waterlow Park

Tottenham Court Road to Nag's Head (6km or 3.7mi)

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                    Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

When the weather is nice, I replace my tube journey with a walk across Regent's Park and Camden Union Tow Path. If you've had enough, just catch any bus on Camden Road to get to Finsbury Park or stop at the big Sainsbury's in Camden for your shopping and jump on the 29.

Broadway Market to Hackney Wick (7.7km or 4.8mi)

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Hertford Union Canal

Introduction: Perfect Saturday Walk
This walk is fairly easy to follow. It starts at the local food market, Broadway Market (open on Saturdays), and ends at Hackney Wick. The walk follows the canal tow path across Regent's and Hertford Union Canal alongside Victoria Park and ends at the the Olympic Stadium in artistic and industrial Hackney Wick. If you are planning to do some food shopping, I would recommend to do the walk the other way round or if you have some energy left, reverse the route through Victoria Park.