Feet First Walking

 

This is stage 2 of a multi-section route across London. I wanted to do a London urban walk and found this one on www.walkingpost.co.uk. I started with this section because it was more convenient to get to the start and back from the finish. Plus, the GPX file on the website didn't work on my phone, so I thought I'd start with a more familiar part of London.

The walk starts at Highgate Tube Station. An area I am not at all familiar with, but I immediately spotted London Capital Ring sign posts, so I must have been here before.

Between the start and Hampstead Heath the route follows some lovely residential streets.

 

My attempts to navigate following my GPS location and a screenshot of the route, both on my phone, were at times not very successful. I over-shot the secluded entrance to Hampstead Heath and had to backtrack for a bit.

 

Once onto the Heath the path undulated it's way towards Kenwood House.

 

I bypassed Kenwood House and headed down to Wood Pond.

 

 

 

Out of the woods, and I was ascending the top of Parliament Hill.

 

Although usually busy it is always good to stop and admire the view of the city below. My route took me immediately down between the trees and unwittingly photo-bombing peoples attempts to capture the panoramic view of London.

 

Between Gospel Oak Station and Prince of Wales Road, my navigation skills let me down again. Not for the first time, I was unaware of my exact location -- not a good look amongst the low-rise and high-rise estates of the area. But I was glad to get back on track and walk down familiar Harmood Street. I love a random, second hand bookshop, but by now nature was calling and I had to forge on ahead to find somewhere to go. I know it is well worth a visit as I have been before, but be warned you won't find many Maeve Binchy type books there.

 

I really liked this street art by Irony, on the side of The Lock Tavern.

 

Camden Hell!
Saturday afternoon is perhaps not the best time to visit this place -- too many people and most of the ones I walked behind were simultaneously trying to eat noodles and send messages on their phones.
The one redeeming feature was the toilet in Wetherspoons and the welcome relief it gave me

 

A short section of canalside walking and once again I missed my exit, so had to do more, lengthy back-tracking.

 

Cross the bridge that takes you into Regents Park.

 

I was spoilt by a choice of three cricket matches to watch as I sat and ate my lunch....what more could you ask for?

 

Spectacular gates and a journey to the centre of the park.

 

The bandstand had been commandeered by a Kung Fu class, but no one was complaining just pretending it wasn't happening.

 

One last bridge to cross and I was soon on Baker Street.