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Sunday 5 July

BEDFORD PARK – LONDON’S ARTISTIC SUBURB
End with a drink in Grade II* Tabard Pub with its original Arts and Craft interior

In 1875 cloth merchant turned property developer Jonathan Carr purchased 24 acres of land in Chiswick to create an enclave of well-designed houses to attract like-minded people who were interested in arts, culture and aesthetics.  It was inspired by the ideals of men such as Ruskin and William Morris. With magnificent houses many designed by Norman Shaw set in leafy streets, Bedford Park  became the haunt for the artists, poets and some eccentrics of the Aesthetic movement, and the increasingly wealthy middle class of late Victorian London.  It declined in the mid 20th c. and was threatened with demolition, but was saved thanks to John Betjeman and the nascent Victorian Society and is now one of London’s most sought-after suburbs.  This is a walk for those interested in domestic architecture, or for those who just enjoy looking at grand houses in a leafy and quiet environment.  We will end for those who would like in the Grade II* listed Tabard Pub, designed by Norman Shaw and still with elements of its original Arts and Crafts interior – including Walter Crane and William de Morgan tiles..

STARTS 2.00pm – Turnham Green Tube

Ends Turnham Green Tube

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Sunday 26 July

HAMPSTEAD – MODERNISM v. VICTORIANA – AN ARCHITECTURAL WALK  + visit to iconic modernist Isokon Building + one flat open to view (www.isokongallery.org)

In the 1930s Hampstead attracted artists and intellectuals and became a hub for German and Austrians émigrés escaping rising fascism and antisemitism in Central Europe. Hampstead became something of a laboratory for British and foreign architects to experiment with the continental Modernist Style inspired by the Bauhaus movement.  However in the second half of the 19c Hampstead had also attracted many rich professionals and intellectuals who commissioned highly decorative and imposing villas in extravagant neo-gothic style.  The walk is designed to look at the contrasting styles of the Modernists versus these Victorian villas….not forgetting the occasional elegant late 17c terraces. Of course with a Diana walk you won’t escape a bit of history as well. It will end with a visit to the Isokon Building, (aka Lawn Road flats) briefly home to two escaping members of the disbanded Bauhaus movement – Gropius and Moholy-Nagy, to the author Agatha Christie and was also a hotbed of Soviet spies.  (One flat open for viewing, 11am–1pm, £10 donation)

STARTS 10.00am – Hampstead Tube

Ends nr. Belsize Park Tube or Hampstead Heath Overground or Hampstead Tube

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Friday 31 July

HAMPSTEAD – MODERNISM v. VICTORIANA – AN ARCHITECTURAL WALK  + visit to iconic modernist Isokon Building (www.isokongallery.org)

In the 1930s Hampstead attracted artists and intellectuals and became a hub for German and Austrians émigrés escaping rising fascism and antisemitism in Central Europe. Hampstead became something of a laboratory for British and foreign architects to experiment with the continental Modernist Style inspired by the Bauhaus movement.  However in the second half of the 19c Hampstead had also attracted many rich professionals and intellectuals who commissioned highly decorative and imposing villas in extravagant neo-gothic style.  The walk is designed to look at the contrasting styles of the Modernists versus these Victorian villas….not forgetting the occasional elegant late 17c terraces. Of course with a Diana walk you won’t escape a bit of history as well. It will end with a visit to the Isokon Building, (aka Lawn Road flats) briefly home to two escaping members of the disbanded Bauhaus movement – Gropius and Moholy-Nagy, to the author Agatha Christie and was also a hotbed of Soviet spies.

STARTS 12.30pm – Hampstead Tube

Ends nr. Belsize Park Tube or Hampstead Heath Overground or Hampstead Tube

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Sunday 2 August

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 1.30pm – Canning Town Tube - meet just outside ticket barriers in front of coffee stall

Ends at Trinity Buoy Wharf approx 4.00pm

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Wednesday 5 August

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 9 August

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

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Thursday 13 August

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

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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 10.45am – 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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****ADVANCE NOTICE****

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