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Sunday 6 September

PADDINGTON BASIN AND LITTLE VENICE REBORN incl. pit stop in one of the best preserved Victorian Pubs in London

This is a ‘London on your Doorstep’ walk recently developed for a Mumbai couple who have bought an apartment for their London-based daughter in the newly developed Paddington Basin.  In the early 2000’s this regeneration was frankly lifeless….but all has now changed and it has a real buzz.  We will start by looking at the architectural wonders of Paddington Station, developed by Brunel as the terminal for his state-of-the-art new Great Western Railway (soon dubbed ‘God’s Wonderful Railway). We will then walk through St Mary’s Hospital – see where penicillin was discovered, where royal babies are born, and take a look at a couple of old railway buildings which had a surprising use. Then a walk along the basin to Little Venice, brings us to a more bucolic and relaxing residential area with its decorated narrow-boats and grand Georgian villas. We will stop for a drink at the Prince Alfred pub, www.theprincealfred.com one of the best preserved Victorian pubs in London still with its original Victorian mahogany and etched glass interior, circular bar and ‘snob screens’. The route back to Paddington Basin is along quiet, tree-lined streets and grand villas, a surprising contrast to the glass and steel and general buzz of Paddington Basin.  (This walk will be approx 3hrs to allow for the pub stop!)

STARTS 11.45am – Paddington Mainline Station. Meet under old clock on platform 1

Ends at Paddington Basin

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Wednesday 9 September

PADDINGTON BASIN AND LITTLE VENICE REBORN incl. pit stop in one of the best preserved Victorian Pubs in London

This is a ‘London on your Doorstep’ walk recently developed for a Mumbai couple who have bought an apartment for their London-based daughter in the newly developed Paddington Basin.  In the early 2000’s this regeneration was frankly lifeless….but all has now changed and it has a real buzz.  We will start by looking at the architectural wonders of Paddington Station, developed by Brunel as the terminal for his state-of-the-art new Great Western Railway (soon dubbed ‘God’s Wonderful Railway). We will then walk through St Mary’s Hospital – see where penicillin was discovered, where royal babies are born, and take a look at a couple of old railway buildings which had a surprising use. Then a walk along the basin to Little Venice, brings us to a more bucolic and relaxing residential area with its decorated narrow-boats and grand Georgian villas. We will stop for a drink at the Prince Alfred pub, www.theprincealfred.com one of the best preserved Victorian pubs in London still with its original Victorian mahogany and etched glass interior, circular bar and ‘snob screens’. The route back to Paddington Basin is along quiet, tree-lined streets and grand villas, a surprising contrast to the glass and steel and general buzz of Paddington Basin.  (This walk will be approx 3hrs to allow for the pub stop!)

STARTS 10.30am – Paddington Mainline Station. Meet under old clock on platform 1

Ends at Paddington Basin

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Thursday 10 September

TRINITY BUOY WHARF via LONDON CITY ISLAND

A visit to an unusual cultural centre based at the mouth of the River Lea in Docklands and home to an interesting mix of outdoor sculpture, art installations and historical maritime exhibits. The original buildings, owned by Trinity House to maintain their navigational equipment still exist as does Faraday’s experimental lighthouse.  With the demise of the docks the site became derelict until in 1998 it was redeveloped – partly using shipping containers – to offer homes and workspace to a creative community and small businesses.  On our way to Trinity Buoy Wharf we will walk through London City Island, a new development on the peninsula at the mouth of the river Lea. At its heart is the new home of English National Ballet where we will have a brief coffee/loo stop in the cafe.  Continuing to Trinity Buoy Wharf we will pass the traces of the Victorian docklands, catch a view back over East India Dock and over the river to the Greenwich Peninsula..  At Trinity Buoy Wharf I will take you on a brief tour of the historic buildings, artworks and historic ships (a Trinity House lightship, a Thames tug and the only surviving coastal steam ship).  I will then leave you at the Wharf  to explore the sculptures and other exhibits. www.trinitybuoywharf.com NB. There is a small café at the wharf.

STARTS 10.30am – Canning Town Tube - meet just outside ticket barriers in front of coffee stall

Ends at Trinity Buoy Wharf approx 1.30pm

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Friday 18 September

WALK THE ANCIENT DROVE ROAD – HACKNEY TO SHOREDITCH

From the 1100s until the mid 1800s livestock were driven from all points of the compass into Smithfield Market.  Those of you who have been on my Islington walk may recall that Upper St. was the northern drove road, and Cowcross St. in Farringdon reminds us of the western route.  One of these ancient drove roads still exists – from Essex and East Anglia.  Following an even older path it crossed the River Lea, the Walthamstow Marshes then down to Hackney and Shoreditch to join the Northern drove road at Old Street.  This walk follows the last 3 ½ m of the route.  Look at the street map of Hackney, Haggerston and Shoreditch and you can see a diagonal route running across the grid of the modern street plan, passing along London Fields, through Broadway Market and Columbia Road, past St. Leonards Church Shoreditch, along Rivington St. to Old. Street.  It makes a fascinating and varied walk. We will first briefly explore Hackney village before  starting our drove road route. We walk along Broadway market and Columbia Road, visit a City Farm pass a famous Victorian Children’s hospital and the remains of Angela Burdett Coutts’ original Columbia Market to reach Old St.  The chequered history of social housing is also a theme.  Walk will be approximately 3 ½ m/ 3hrs+ Grab a coffee/snack  before the start. Optional lunch @ Wagamama Old Street Cost £25

STARTS 10.30am – Hackney Central (Exit of Overground Station at bottom of ramp. NB Pret or Costa  left of exit in Amhurst Road)

Ends in Shoreditch Old Street Tube approx 2.00pm

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Sunday 20 September

TRINITY BUOY WHARF via LONDON CITY ISLAND

A visit to an unusual cultural centre based at the mouth of the River Lea in Docklands and home to an interesting mix of outdoor sculpture, art installations and historical maritime exhibits. The original buildings, owned by Trinity House to maintain their navigational equipment still exist as does Faraday’s experimental lighthouse.  With the demise of the docks the site became derelict until in 1998 it was redeveloped – partly using shipping containers – to offer homes and workspace to a creative community and small businesses.  On our way to Trinity Buoy Wharf we will walk through London City Island, a new development on the peninsula at the mouth of the river Lea. At its heart is the new home of English National Ballet where we will have a brief coffee/loo stop in the cafe.  Continuing to Trinity Buoy Wharf we will pass the traces of the Victorian docklands, catch a view back over East India Dock and over the river to the Greenwich Peninsula..  At Trinity Buoy Wharf I will take you on a brief tour of the historic buildings, artworks and historic ships (a Trinity House lightship, a Thames tug and the only surviving coastal steam ship).  I will then leave you at the Wharf  to explore the sculptures and other exhibits. www.trinitybuoywharf.com NB. There is a small café at the wharf.

STARTS 10.30am – Canning Town Tube - meet just outside ticket barriers in front of coffee stall

Ends at Trinity Buoy Wharf approx 1.30pm

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Sunday 4 October

WALK THE ANCIENT DROVE ROAD – HACKNEY TO SHOREDITCH

From the 1100s until the mid 1800s livestock were driven from all points of the compass into Smithfield Market.  Those of you who have been on my Islington walk may recall that Upper St. was the northern drove road, and Cowcross St. in Farringdon reminds us of the western route.  One of these ancient drove roads still exists – from Essex and East Anglia.  Following an even older path it crossed the River Lea, the Walthamstow Marshes then down to Hackney and Shoreditch to join the Northern drove road at Old Street.  This walk follows the last 3 ½ m of the route.  Look at the street map of Hackney, Haggerston and Shoreditch and you can see a diagonal route running across the grid of the modern street plan, passing along London Fields, through Broadway Market and Columbia Road, past St. Leonards Church Shoreditch, along Rivington St. to Old. Street.  It makes a fascinating and varied walk. We will first briefly explore Hackney village before  starting our drove road route. We walk along Broadway market and Columbia Road, visit a City Farm pass a famous Victorian Children’s hospital and the remains of Angela Burdett Coutts’ original Columbia Market to reach Old St.  The chequered history of social housing is also a theme.  Walk will be approximately 3 ½ m/ 3hrs+ Grab a coffee/snack  before the start. Cost £25

STARTS 1.30pm – Hackney Central (Exit of Overground Station at bottom of ramp. NB Pret or Costa  left of exit in Amhurst Road)

Ends in Shoreditch Old Street Tube at 4.30pm

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Sunday 11 October

SEE THE THAMES BARRIER IN ACTION – preceded by a 2 1/2m./1 1/2 hr. walk around Royal Docks NB. PROVISIONAL until confirmed by Environmental Agency

Once a year – near the Autumn Equinox – i.e highest tides of the year – the Environment Agency do a full test of the barrier, keeping it closed the whole day.  The most interesting bit is when they start to open the barrier at the end of the test, to let the tidal river back in (known as the ‘Underspill’!)  The walk is aimed to see this. NB Please be prepared for some waiting around by the river…as the precise timing of the ‘underspill’ will depend on how full the river is. i.e tide strength + rainfall. But there is a bar nearby where you can grab a drink/snack.  **Cost £25.00.  As this is a one-off I will take up to 15 people**

STARTS time tba - Customs House station.  Meet by/in Starbucks on the entrance to the bridge to Excel Exhibition Centre

Ends Pontoon Dock DLR

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Friday 16 October

LEGAL LONDON – THE INNS OF COURT (incl. visit to Temple Church)

A walk through the tranquil, elegant squares of the Middle and Inner Temple and Lincoln’s Inns, home to England’s barristers. Hear about the evolution of England’s somewhat arcane two tier legal system and why the Temple is so called.  See where one of Shakespeare’s plays had its opening performances, and hear why those with surnames Temple, Lincoln or Grey may have a surprising ancestry.  We will visit the Crusader Church of the Temple, with its famous medieval knights’ effigies and connections to Magna Carta.  Many connections with famous people from John Donne and Dickens to famous legal names such as Lord Denning.  The walk will end on Holborn, where there is a historic pub if anyone wanted a quick drink/lunch after the walk.  Cost £25 – to include entry to Temple Church.

STARTS 10.30am - Temple Tube (District + Circle)

Ends approx 1.00pm. Chancery Lane Tube (Central Line) or Holborn (Central and Piccadilly)

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Sunday 25 October

LONDON’S NEW ‘FAR EAST’ + THE ROYAL DOCKS + NEW SILVERTOWN DEVELOPMENT ***New***

When the Royal Victoria Dock opened in 1855 it was the largest area of impounded water in the world.  Only by walking by the dock with its wide skies, towering cranes, and dramatic views back to the skyline of London, can you really appreciate the sheer scale of London’s port at the height of Empire.  The walk starts at Customs House station,(Elizabeth Line, or DLR from  Canning Town) The first part of the walk is round the western end of Royal Victoria Dock, passing the GLA’s new City Hall, and the still derelict hulk of Spillers Millenium Mills – beloved of film makers. The second part of the walk is through Silvertown, until recently a derelict and forgotten post industrial area.  It is still very much work in progress – with exciting plans for new development around Millenium Mills.  We will pass a solitary terrace of pre-war housing isolated in an 80s estate, then walk through new Royal Wharf  Riverside development, which is complete and proving popular. The walk will end in Thames Barrier Park, built in the old Pontoon Dock (hence the DLR station) with its clever landscaping reflecting its dockland’s heritage, and dramatic views of the Thames Barrier.
(NB. Walk is 2 ½ -3hrs. It is exposed so can be windy and cold…dress appropriately)

STARTS 1.30pm - Customs House station.  Meet by/in Starbucks on the entrance to the bridge to Excel Exhibition Centre

Ends Pontoon Dock DLR (2 stops to Canning Town – Jubilee Line)