The Magnificent Seven Part III: Brompton to Kensal Green (11km or 7mi)

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Introduction

Frederick Leyland was one of the largest ship 

owners at the end of the 19th century, 

Brompton Cemetery

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowded local parish cemeteries and to move the associated health hazards further away from the city centre. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful gardens, some of them are classified as nature reserves.

This walk is the third in a series of seven magnificent walks, connecting the magnificent seven cemeteries. For an overview of the seven walks, highlights an tips, please visit the overview page.

This walk is the third part in a series of seven, an ambitious plan to connect the Magnificent Seven. The walk starts at Brompton Cemetery and ends at Kensal Green Cemetery. Mainly following the roads, it leads you from West London to North West London and shows the transformation of West London from a very affluent area with parks only accessible to local residents into a rather industrial in which we will find the Paddington Branch.

The Magnificent Seven Part II: West Norwood to Brompton (16km or 10mi)

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Download Map and Directions of The Magnificent Seven (Part 2): West Norwood to Brompton

Introduction

Albert Bridge: I was lucky as the lights just turned on at 4pm

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowded local parish cemeteries and to move the associated health hazards further away from the city centre. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful gardens, some of them are classified as nature reserves.

This walk is the second in a series of seven magnificent walks, connecting the magnificent seven cemeteries. For an overview of the seven walks, highlights an tips, please visit the overview page.



This walk starts at West Norwood Cemetery and ends at Brompton Cemetery. This is a rather lengthy walk and in autumn and winter times, it might be muddy, so appropriate shoes are required. For me, the best parts of this walk were West Norwood Cemetery, Battersea Park and Albert Bridge. A rather lengthy part of this walk is on the streets. If you want to avoid the road part of this route and shortcut the route to a 5km walk, I would recommend visiting the cemetery at West Norwood and taking the train from West Norwood to Battersea Park Rail Station.

The Magnificent Seven Part I: Nunhead to West Norwood (12.6km or 6.2mi)

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Download Map and Directions of the Magnificent Seven Part I (Nunhead to Norwood)

Introduction

Horniman Gardens

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowded local parish cemeteries and to move the associated health hazards further away from the city centre. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful gardens, some of them are classified as nature reserves. This walk is the first in a series of seven magnificent walks, connecting the magnificent seven cemeteries. For an overview of the seven walks, highlights an tips, please visit the overview page. The walk starts at Nunhead Cemetery and mainly follows the Green Chain Walk up until Dulwich Woods to then divert towards West Norwood Cemetery. Nunhead Cemetery has good sign postage along the way. On its website, you can also find an overview of common Victorian grave symbols.

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.

Download Map of the London Wall / City Walk 

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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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.