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

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Map and Directions (Download PDF)

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)

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Download Map and Directions (PDF)

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. 

New River Path Part I (8.6km or 5.3mi)

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Map and Directions (Download PDF)

Introduction

East and West Water Reservoirs, Stoke Newington

The New River is actually not a river but a water supply aqueduct, bringing drinking water from Hertfordshire to North London for the last 400 years. In the London area, large parts have been piped and covered but you can still follow the trail of the river and find yourself between beautiful secret gardens. Today the New River feeds the East Water Reservoir in Stoke Newington but originally the aqueduct’s main destination was the River Head where the new river ended in a round water pond surrounded by engines and pumps to distribute the water across the City. The New River Head is located at Amwell Street, near Angel, and nowadays houses the headquarters of the Metropolitan Water Board. Most of the path is signposted and the total length of the walk is 45 km or 28mi. The PDF of the walk can also be download via the website of Shelford. This walk is also a perfect commute walk from Angel to Stoke Newington.

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

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

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)

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

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)

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Download Map and Directions

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)

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

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)

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Download Map and Directions (Download PDF)

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)

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

                    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)

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

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.