Distance - 8 Miles
Start - Archway
Finish - Anglesea Arms, Selwood Terrace, South Kensington
Areas Walked - Archway, Hampstead Heath, Belsize, Kilburn, Maida Vale, Bayswater, Knightsbridge
Geocaches - 5 and an Adventure Lab Cache
Pubs - 3
Previous Walks - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3
A wonderful stretch of the London Spiral walk, showing off London in all it's diversity. 24 hours either side, I wouldn't have made it - a chance to peruse the damage from yesterdays Storm Eunice and before Storm Franklin bored us with more of the same.
The trail resumes at Archway and a stiff climb up Highgate Hill, across Waterlow Park and through a remarkable gated estate. The views from Swains Lane, as spectacular as those from Primrose Hill. I was tempted to spark up purple bricks, which probably updates property value in real time.
London, sprawling out below Swains Lane |
The target is Hampstead Heath - Londoners are so lucky. As well as the theatre, the history and the pubs they have pockets of proper walking country on their doorstep.
Amongst the Storm Eunice Survivors |
Hampstead Village is as pretty as ever and it's to the walks benefit that I arrive before the pubs open. There would have been breaks aplenty at Wells Tavern, The Flask and one of my favourites, the Holly Bush. I'll save that for a pub crawl and today, just admire the architecture around Frognal Way.
After all this glory, its unspectacular urban walking through Finchley, Kilburn and Paddington. Working out how to get under the Westway is tricky with an AZ Map but when the path is found, it reveals it's surprises.
Every Inch of London is used |
Its full waterproofs on when I reach Kensington Gardens and probably not the weather to be completing an Adventure Lab Cache. A non direct route across, taking in the Peter Pan statue, Italian Gardens and edifices to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Italian Gardens |
Albert Memorial - the end of today's route |
The walkings not over, but its the end of this stage of the London Spiral. Pubs to be found in this corner of Knightsbridge, Brompton and Chelsea. But which one will win the Mappiman "How Much?" award for liquid piracy?
Queens Arms, Queens Gates Mews, Landlord, Good Beer Guide Tick #650
A hidden treasure in one of those enviable mews streets. It's a beauty in pastel blue.
Queens Arms, SW7 |
8 handpulls on and I have plenty of time to see whats on offer. The only free tables have reserved signs on. Apart from a strip along the window, this is not a pub for drinkers.
Never get past the Landlord, regardless of the alternatives |
The only place for me is to lean at the bar, getting in the way of grumpy looking bar staff, setting tables and delivering pies to the genteel pub goers of South London.
One toddler starts crying and sets off the others.
Good beer guide always full of surprises. Today, I got to drink in a posh creche.
Bunch of Grapes, Brompton Road, Beavertown Neck Oil
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