Last week we walked, skipped, fell over and crawled around London in a bid to uncover the capital’s best scenic walks. Have a gander and select your setting – here’s where we got to. We recommend you pack a good set of alpaca wool socks – like walking on fluffy clouds of joy. Anyway:
West:
Richmond Park, Richmond
Deer, garden cafés (Pembroke Lodge and Gardens) and a ridiculously amazing view (King Henry VIII mound) can all be found at Richmond Park. Especially check out the Isabella plantations – we’re told the azaleas and rhododendrons are sensational. We suggest setting out a day and seeing all of it, with a few drinks on the river to finish off.
A proper visual treat, and if it’s one of those places you always intend to go to but don’t. Do. The Chinese Pagoda, Treetop Walkway, stunning flowers – it’s a right scene.
South:
Southbank walk, Waterloo
London at its best. Tip: If ever you have a friend coming to London who wants to see the sights, take them on this route. Start off at the London Eye and walk east along the river bank to Oxo Tower – quick drink and a view, on to Tate Modern, then Globe Theatre. Head over the Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s or, if your legs are in good shape by the time you arrive, keep going past HMS Belfast onto Tower Bridge. This shot’s from the North Bank, but you get the picture:
Deptford Arts & Pirate Walk, Deptford
http://www.timeout.com/media/pdf/deptford.pdf
This walk is great fun. Lots of industrial style art houses and piratey-like locations. It sounds odd, and it is. But then again, that’s why we’ve chosen it. Big ups to Timeout for showing us the way.
North:
Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill
Part of the ‘Better Haringey’ wider walking trail, Ally Pally is just brilliant. Stunning building itself, originally built to host entertainment and ‘information’ sessions for up to 12,000 people, which includes the biggest Willis organ in Europe, and there are 200 acres of untouched parkland and an epic view over the city. Make your way down to Muswell Hill and finish at Toff’s for some fish & chips.
Hampstead Heath Ponds, Hampstead
Weather permitting, the natural ponds in Hampstead Heath are a relaxing, if pretty Baltic, way of soaking up beautiful scenes whilst, well, bathing. It’s also a hotspot for kite flying. All adds to the charm. Once you’re done, pop along to Kenwood House and have a nibble at Brew House.
East:
First Thursday Art Exhibition, Shoreditch
Every first Thursday of the month the art galleries of east London open their doors and exhibit the latest installment of east London grit art. Free booze. Hot spots like Redchurch Street are littered with art buffs and novices until close to midnight; it’s like a monthly arty street party. Did we mention free booze. Absolute dating winner.
Brick Lane on a Sunday, Bethnal Green
Brick Lane is mayhem on a Sunday. But with a bit of mental preparation you’re bound to love it – it’s like everyone’s in Miami camp fancy dress, literally no holds barred. Make sure to visit the various indoor markets and quirky cafés off Brick Lane as you amble through. That’s where the charm really comes from.
Central:
London Aquarium, South Bank (in County Hall)
Sharks, jellyfish and fish you never knew existed. Not the most obvious walk, but a real winner. Nip over to Namco Station after for a smash up on the dodgems.
The free bus tour, Start at Liverpool Street.
We came across these guys – for some reason it’s far more fun doing a London tourist bus route when it’s done on the cheap. This site has a planned route consisting of the 11,9,28 and 15 bus routes. By the end of it all you will have covered most of the capital (and most topics of conversation…)
That’s all for this week. Follow us for more ideas at http://twitter.com/glpLondon
