Walk Inspiration 2 - Time Out London Walks Volume 2 (Return of the King)
Distance - 10 Miles
Geocaches - 6
Pub 1 - Fox and Anchor, Farringdon - City Boy Breakfast
Pub 2 - The Blackfriar - Doom Bar
Pub 3 - The Red Lion, Mayfair - Fullers ESB
My monthly visits to the smoke have been taking me straight back out and into the surrounding countryside. This has been fine, but due to a lack of work visits, I have missed pounding the pavements and seeing the sights.
There's only one problem with walking Central London. Too many Photo opportunities. Not only do I come back with 1/2GB of images, I also burn out the main camera's battery half way around and then have to rely on my mobile phone's camera.
The route inspiration comes from two sources. I fancied a look around Clerkenwell... the hinterland between the Euston and the City. A favourite resource - Andrew Duncan's 50 favourite London Walks - provided a suitable route. Add to this a lengthy walk from Time Out London Walks for a route that shows how the City was rebuilt after the Civil War and Great Fire of London and I am good to go - with a chance to take in most of the sights.
Emerge at the top of the UK's longest escalators at Angel Tube Station. There is a multi cache with the clues in the station foyer and as I have time, I take it on. Cache in hand before satellites have locked on the GPS and I can start the walk.
Into Clerkenwell and Head for St James Church |
Now I know where I am. Tucked around a side street is a pub called the Fox and Anchor. Home of the legendary "City Boy Breakfast"
Check it Out - Fans of the Full English |
Fortified, I am ready for the City. Down Aldersgate and with more time than in the Working Week - I check out Postman's Park and spend a bit of time reading the stories of doomed heroism in the City.
I would normally say this was an oasis of calm but on a Saturday - you can have the streets to yourself.
A monument to Heroic Self Sacrifice. Not my breakfast, Postman's Park |
St Pauls |
All Alone at the Guildhall |
Bank |
Walkie Talkie, poking out behind Lombard Street |
The Monument |
There's a cache on London Bridge, that I really should have found by now - so I head over on a deviation from the planned routes.
The Shard - From London Bridge |
A chance for more Iconic Views from London Bridge |
Back onto the Northside of the the Thames for a stretch of the Thames Path. I usually complete this from the South side - as Southwark Cathedral, the Golden Hind, The Globe and the Tate Modern can all be visited. An alternative view from this side of the Thames.
But only Photo'd Millennium Bridge and the Tate Modern |
Cache found, I then head through the underground paths to check out another London Classic Pub - the Blackfriar.
A Must Visit Pub |
It's Ok from the outside, but its the inside that makes it unique. And in a change from what happens on weekdays, I can get a seat in the heart of it - at the instant my main camera battery dies.
Inside the Pub |
Occasion Siezed |
Its just a pity they don't keep the beer as well as the surroundings.
Back along the embankment to grab a cache at Temple Tube Station and up and out onto the Strand.
The Strand |
Covent Garden - Three Yodas hovering and a Bloke painted Silver not worthy of inclusion |
Shopping over, its time to take on more landmarks.
Trafalgar Square |
St Martins Church |
Out along Pall Mall and into the refined shopping of Mayfair. The Red Lion in Duke of York Street looks worthy of investigation - and so it proves. All etched glass and pints with limited change from a Lady Godiva.
Just South of Jermyn Street |
London Eye behind Horse Guards Parade |
Emerge onto Whitehall next to Downing Street and up to Embankment to get the last cache of the day next to a German Sausage Takeway.
London has something for everyone.
Onto Whitehall - up to Charing Cross - Cache and Train Home. |
Is the City Boy breakfast really the best way to start the day ! And how good was it (I'm not surprised it's £18,it reads like something out of a Dickens novel).
ReplyDeleteEveryone should experience one at least once in their life!
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