North London Parks. Approx 6 miles (27/09/21)

Attendees; D Lucas, M Farkas, B Mullrennan, D McDonnell, P Cotterill and 1 non member.

As summer is coming to a close, with lovely weather over the weekend, rain was predicted today.

Most met at St. Pancras low level for the train to Finsbury Park, and connection to Alexandra Palace.

From the station it seemed pleasant weather as we walked up the hill to the Palace itself. Stopping to pose for a picture next to a paper dinosaur! Not surprisingly, from the top of the hill there are great views of the City of London and Canary Wharf. As everyone knows, the world’s first public television broadcast was made from Alexandra Palace in 1936 (I was rest day on that day).

On leaving the Palace we continued along the route of the old railway line which went to Finsbury Park, opened in May 1873 and closed in July 1954. After leaving the old track bed, we continued into Highgate Wood. Then along residential streets with impressive properties we reached Hampstead Heath.

Shortly after entering the heath, we came to Kenwood House, famous for its appearance in the film Notting Hill. Now it was time for a PNB, and the weather looked like it was going to rain, but being a sturdy lot, we remained outside and on completion of our refreshment, the sun once again returned.

After returning to the walk, a path was temporally blocked so a diversion was required across Hampstead Heath. There was a lot of woodland here, but the ground was still dry. After some undulating walking across the heath, we reached the public House Jack Straws Castle. No time to rest, we walked around it and into Golders Green Hill Park. Wooland to start, then into open parkland. Then back to a small section of street walking to Golders green Bus and TFL railway station.

Google Maps appeared to be out of date and so it took a little longer to reach The Refectory, which had a pleasant courtyard area we were all had a drink before boarding the tube back into Central London.

Give or take 7 miles.

This walk was first made by the club in 2001 during the foot and mouth outbreak when so many paths were closed.