18 Apr 2014

Commute Walk: Covent Garden to Shoreditch (5km or 3mi)


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Introduction


the Old Kings Head - Scrutton Street
I used to work near Covent Garden and would head out to Shoreditch for a beer after work every now and then. The first times, I walked via Theobalds Road and Clerkenwell Road which are very traffic heavy and boring roads until I found a pleasant and alternative way passing beautiful historic sites and hidden residential courts. This walk might be done as a scenic or a commute walk. Gray’s Inn Gardens however might not be accessible during bank holidays. Things to see along the way are the Freemason's Hall, Lincoln's Inn Fields, Gray's Inn Gardens, Brooke Court, Leather Lane, Farringdon, St John's Lane, Smithfield Market, the Charter House, the Barbican and Bunhill Fields cemetery. The walk takes you via Leonard Street and Scrutton Street where a refreshment can be found at the Griffin or The Old Kings' Head. Enjoy!

4 Apr 2014

The Magnificent Seven Part VI: Abney Park Cemetery to Tower Hamlets Cemetery (11km or 7mi)


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Introduction


Mile End
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 sixth 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 Abney Park Cemetery and follows the new River Path and Regents Canal to Tower Hamlets Cemetery. There are many cosy cafes along Church Street in Stoke Newington and along Regent’s Canal. Toilet facilities can be found in Clissold Park and Victoria Park. For more info about the New River Path, please check out my blog about the New River Path.

Commute Run/Cycle/Walk: Hammersmith to Green Park (7km or 4.2mi)


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Introduction
Lovely way to start the day! Hyde Park
Every working day, I commute 40 minutes on the Piccadilly Line from North London all the way up to Hammersmith in West London. I was getting so bored of it, that I tied my walking into my commute and reduced my tube journey by skipping the Green Park – Hammersmith bit and trade the Piccadilly Line for the Victoria Line.
I’m not keen on cycling in London but to reduce my walking journey and make my walk a daily achievable goal, I rent a Barclay Bike in Green Park and then cycle through Hyde Park (which is already half the distance) and then walk/run the bit between Kensington and Hammersmith.

When I feel like shopping, I just pass through Kensington High Street on my way to Hyde Park, lovely!

The Magnificent Seven Part V: Highgate to Abney Park Cemetery (9km or 5.6mi)


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Introduction


Church in Abney Park 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 fifth 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 Highgate Cemetery and ends at Abney Park Cemetery. The walk mainly follows the Capital Ring Walk via Parkland Walk and the New River Path. There are not many food opportunities along the way except at the beginning and the end of the walk.  

Highgate West Cemetery is only accessible via a guided tour but it is the most beautiful of them all and definitely worth a visit. If you gather around the gate at the hour, a guide will be waiting for you to take you on a one hour tour for around £7. This walk is rather short and should give you enough time to visit the West Cemetery before the walk. Those who would like to admire the grave of Karl Marx, need to head to Highgate East Cemetery, accessible for an entrance fee of £3.