Walking London
One of my favourite things to do is hiking. Walking to the appropriate gig venue is all right too, but I find that a bit of nature and beautiful, unknown sights is quite relaxing and social too.
Yes, the exercise also makes it rather interesting, nevermind blisters – those little, horrible things.
Walking London can definitely fulfil your inner desire to learn something new. I joined a group of friends, all of them hiking enthusiasts who did not mind to do what seemed to be one of the longest sections on the so-called Capital Ring, from Woolwich to Falconwood.
In the end, we did over 15 Km in one day, as we also did the second section, from Falconwood to Grove Park. This included several stops for lunch and taking pictures.
The Capital Ring overlaps with other routes, such as the Green Chain Walk. It goes through various natural and urban areas. Whoever thought that London could be so rural, hey? People do live in nice houses in quiet areas. This is a fact which, although well-known, takes a little time to register in an urbanite’s mind.
Highlights
- Good fun to go in group;
- Severndroog Castle.
A castle in the middle of a woodland area? Yes! Apparently, it has been used as a lookout tower in the war and as a tea room, but it may be demolished. Now, a campaigning local group has plans to reopen it. It is misteriously interesting…
Watch this short video to see how it is indoors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys5J7yoXfzg
- The views – stunning.
- Woodland areas;
- Deers.
We saw many grown-up and baby versions of Bambi, which can be seen in Richmond and Golders Green Parks too.
- Horse and donkey farms. So cute!
- Good exercise;
- Getting to know facts about areas we have all heard about;
- Eltham Palace.
This is one of the best examples of Art Deco in London. This mansion was built in the 1930’s by the Great Hall of the medieval Eltham Palace.
Something we were astonished not to find is pubs or coffee shops for a good chunk of the (urban) way. OK, I know this sounds a little weird to notice. But, here in London we are used to having a pub in every corner!
For the diploma-hungry hikers, they can even get a completion certificate from their website if they wish.
This makes me want to get on a plane to take a walk there. 😉
You’d have so much fun!
I think I want to check this out, and the fact that you can get a certificate after does kind of sway me even more.
It is great fun. Keep an eye on the lovely donkeys!
Wow, I’ll sure keep it in mind for my next visit to London (whenever that might be… hopefully soon!) 🙂