LEISURELY WALKS
The
Leisurely Walks Group has half-day walks of up to
three miles.
Group Coordinator: Derek
Harwood (click to
contact)
|
When
We will start with one walk each month on
varying days of the week. If there is enough
support and others are prepared to lead some
walks, we will then increase the frequency.
|
Where
All walks will be fairly local
but with some public transport (to the start or
from the finish).
|
Introduction
Since Spring 2018
iU3A has had a Leisurely
Walks group (in addition to the current Shorter
and Longer Walk groups). This group offers a monthly
half-day walk (on different days of the week) of up to three miles. The pace is
leisurely, with pauses along the way. The start and end
points are easily reached by public transport and are in the Freedom Pass travel
zones. Some walks are
local, e.g. Clissold Park and the New River Path; others are sometimes
further afield, e.g. Trent Park. The walks may feature
river or canal towpaths, parks and nature reserves,
while others may be more urban and explore a London
'village’. They are ideal
for members who like gentle outdoor exercise at a slower
pace than the other walking groups. If you are
interested in joining this new group please use the
email link above to advise the
Group Coordinator or join online through the Members'
System ('Beacon') here.
Our experience of organising walks has
suggested a few common-sense guidelines, to ensure
everyone’s enjoyment and safety on our walks. You can
see them here.
We won't have sign-ups per walk —
you can just turn up on the day. But if you are late we
won't be expecting you so we won't wait for you.
In addition to this Group if you
don't see what you like here, you might want to look
at our Discovering Islington Group here.
Our
Next Leisurely Walks
Full walk details including meeting points
and times will be available a week or two before the walk.
You'll be able to see them (and print them if you like) from
a link on this page. Where it says 'Details here', click on
'here' when it is highlighted in blue.
Thursday 15 June, Rotherhithe: A walk through Redriff
from Surrey Quays, formerly Surrey Docks, to Rotherhithe.
The route goes alongside Greenland Dock then turns north
through Russia Dock Woodland to Stave Hill and the Eco Park.
It then turns east to join the Thames Path opposite Canary
Wharf which is followed upstream to Rotherhithe. Usual
format, just turn up on the day. Details
here.
Future dates:
Dates for the 2023 walks to be set once walk leaders are
found.
If you want to volunteer to lead one of these walks (help
will be provided regarding the admin., etc) please use the
contact link at the top to drop Derek an email.
Recent Walks
Brixton to Brockwell Park: on
an unexpectedly sunny and warm day we strolled through
lively Brixton, crossing Windrush Square and St Matthew's
Churchyard to reach the peaceful Brixton Community Orchard.
This green space in an urban area holds a variety of fruit
trees, all in blossom that day. Carrying on across Rush
Common to enter Brockwell Park we spent some time in the
Walled Garden appreciating the variety of plants and flowers
(see Frances under the wisteria-clad pergola). Walking up to
Brockwell Hall to take in the views of the London skyline,
we enjoyed a coffee break at the cafe, opting to sit in the
shade before meandering down towards the Lido. Here we
caught a glimpse of the swimmers enjoying the sunshine
before catching the bus for the short journey back to
Brixton station. Details
here.
Bethnal Green: on
a sunny but nippy morning three of us met at Highbury &
Islington station to take the Overground to Shoreditch High
Street. Our walk took us through what, in the 1850s, was the
worst slum in London but is now known as The Boundary Estate
and is made up of 20 blocks of flats, each five storeys high
and made of red brick. The Bandstand in Arnold Circus sits
in the middle of the estate. From there we walked to
Columbia Road and stopped to look at the railings on the
Columbia Road school — these railings are all that remain of
the original Columbia Road market which was opened in the
1860s. After a tour of the garden at Hackney City Farm and a
coffee stop nearby we headed towards Bethnal Green Road,
stopping to admire the Queen Adelaide Dispensary and the
remains of a Banksy, both in Pollard Row. Our walk continued
along Bethnal Green Road to the memorial to the 173 people
who died there in 1943 following a crush on the uneven steps
down to the air raid shelter. We walked back through Weavers
Fields, crossed Brick Lane and were soon back at Shoreditch.
Details
here.
Olympic Park: the
weather was very pleasant on the day, cold but clear, just
right for a Leisurely Walk. We looked at flats in the East
Village (former Athletes Village) including Cavesson House
with its imitation Parthenon reliefs. This housed the Greek
Team during the Olympics. On to Chobham Manor, the first of
the five legacy neighbourhoods, with the Sir Ludwig Gutman
Health and Wellbeing Centre and a new school for
14-18-year-olds. Had coffee in the Veloparc. Good views of
the park and of cyclists on the track inside. Crossed the
River Lea to Here East, the former Media Centre, now an
innovation centre and technology campus. Headed towards the
Copper Box past more new flats to the emerging East Bank to
see the new V&A, London College of Fashion, BBC Music
Studios, Sadler's Wells and UCL.The walk ended at the
Aquatics Centre. Details
here.
Finsbury Park: this
was a simple local walk from Highbury & Islington
station. We started through Highbury Fields, passed the
Emirates stadium (and its new large scale artwork) to the
Ecological Centre in Gillespie Park and on to Finsbury Park.
With half term on it was rather busy but the seven of us
enjoyed a well-earned coffee in the sunshine with views down
over the city. Some decided to walk back, others opted for
the bus. Details
here.
Crystal Palace Park: six
Leisurely Walkers set out on a cold and frosty morning for
Crystal Palace Park. It was a longish Overground journey but
the carriage was warm and practically empty giving us the
chance to catch up with friends. We started with a wander
through the dinosaur area, which was enhanced by the frozen
lakes and low sunshine. After a coffee stop we continued on
a circuit of the park past the maze and the concert bowl to
ascend the upper terraces with rather sunny but hazy views
over South East London and the South Downs. Stopping to take
photos in front of the recently restored sphinxes, we
carried on further up to the site of Joseph Paxton’s
original Crystal Palace and the old walled garden. Then a
downhill stroll ended back at the station cafe where some of
us stayed for a quick lunch before our journeys home.
Details
here.
Gospel Oak to Kenwood: there were five of us for the
walk in bright sun from Gospel Oak up to Kenwood and coffee
in the Brew House. As the light was ideal for seeing the
pictures three opted to spend a little time in the house
whilst Cheryl and I, after a very short visit, followed the
planned route back to Hampstead Heath station. Details
here.
Vauxhall and
Westminster: On a squally November morning seven of us
turned out for a walk around gardens and cafes in Vauxhall
and Westminster. We hurried along the busy roads of Vauxhall
and found a welcome side-turning away from the traffic fumes
into Vauxhall Grove, where we meandered through a delightful
little tree-lined enclave to Bonnington Square.
Bonnington Square garden has a small community garden with
the seemingly ever-open Italo cafe, which serves
mouthwatering Italian-inspired food and snacks, and
excellent coffee. We stopped to refresh our taste buds and
to enjoy the wintry sun, which filtered down through the
trees. Then on, back across the busy roads to Vauxhall
Pleasure Gardens, a large green space boasting another new
cafe, the Tea House Theatre.

This cafe offered an enticing display of cakes and tea and
some of us bought a cake to take away for later. On we went
and walked along the Albert Embankment as far as Lambeth
Bridge and Westminster. But clouds caught up with us and the
rain descended, so we took shelter in the Garden Museum,
where there was a shop with unusual gifts for early
Christmas presents and yet another cafe — this one offering
tea, ginger biscuits and hazelnut brownies.
Anyone would think we did nothing but stop and eat in our
journey across London, but the record showed that we had
walked three miles, once we completed the final leg across
Victoria Tower Gardens (site of the final bit of the queue
for the recent lying in state of Queen Elizabeth II).
Hackney Wick to Victoria
Park: on an overcast morning we set off from
Highbury & Islington on the Overground to Hackney Wick.
We crossed the A12 via the footbridge and entered Victoria
Park via Cadogan Terrace. We enjoyed stops at The Old
English Garden and the Burdett-Coutts Fountain and from
there it was a short walk to the coffee stop at the Pavilion
cafe overlooking the lake. After stopping to identify some
of the bird life on the lake we made our way to the Canal
Gate, where we briefly joined the cyclists and joggers on
the canal path to Mare Street. From there it was a short
walk to London Fields. By that time the sun had come out and
it was quite warm. We had a short break sitting in front of
the Flower Ladies and then made our way via the Lido to
Hackney Town Hall where we got buses back to Islington.
Mill Hill East/Dollis Valley:
seven walkers met at Woodside Park station, crossed the
bridge and turned into Holden Avenue to see the Belarusian
Memorial Chapel which is the first wooden church to be built
in London since The Great Fire and the first memorial,
outside Belarus, dedicated to the Chernobyl disaster. We had
hoped to see inside but unfortunately the priest was unable
to let us in as he had Covid. The website shows excellent
photographs of the interior.
Then we turned into Holden Road and crossed over to the
footpath signposted Dollis Valley Greenwalk. Following the
brook to the Sussex Ring we took an early coffee break at
Vero Cafe and then continued our walk through the impressive
Fursby Avenue allotments reaching the Dollis Brook viaduct,
a 13 arch 60ft high structure completed in 1867, carrying
the Northern Line from Finchley Central to Mill Hill East.
A short walk down Dollis Road took us back to the Greenwalk.
We continued to a signpost and took the right hand path
leading to Holders Hill Road where we turned right and
enjoyed lunch at Cake Create opposite the entrance to Hendon
Cemetery. Details
here.
Regents Canal, Islington to Victoria Park: another
'from our doorstep' walk. We set off from Highbury &
Islington with a bus down New North Road to Gainsborough
Studios where we picked up the canal, following this east
and dodging the occasional cyclist, to Victoria Park. We
then had a coffee overlooking the pond. That was the end of
the offical walk but some stayed on to do a little circular
stroll on the east side of the park before catching the bus
back to Islington.
Finsbury Park: this was an 'on-our-doorstep' walk and
yet a few of the 10 walkers didn't know bits of it existed.
Helped by pleasant weather we left H&I station, strolled
through Highbury Fields cutting through to the quiet spaces
surrounding the Emirates and on to Gillespie Park. We had a
quick stop at the Ecology Centre then on to Finsbury Park
where we stopped for a coffee. A couple left us there but
the rest of us carried on over the railway bridge on to the
Parkland Walk. Due to the popularity of this walk during the
recent lockdowns the path has been widened but on a midweek
day nowadays it's quiet. We didn't go all the way to
Highgate but soon turned back to retrace our steps to
Finsbury Park and our finish there.
Sloane Square: overnight
rain having freshened the air, eight walkers kept to the
sunny side of the streets through Chelsea discovering Blue
Plaques of famous writers’ homes and pretty church gardens
in Christchurch Street. Crossing the Albert Bridge we walked
through Battersea Park, visiting the Old English Garden
where both the roses and the sun came out so were glad of
the shady paths we then followed beside a lake, glimpsing
three terrapins and a heron lined up on a branch overhanging
the water. Continuing through the park to join the riverside
path going under Chelsea Bridge, we strolled around the new
river frontage public park at Battersea Power Station,
having coffee outside at one of the cafes before returning
home from the new tube station nearby.
Kensington: Four
people enjoyed a leisurely stroll and a good chat going
around Kensington Gardens. We started at the lovely Italian
Gardens and walked down beside the lake and back via the
cafe at Kensington Palace. There was plenty to see with the
spring flowers looking their best, Henry Moore’s arch
framing Kensington Palace, the ornate Albert Memorial and of
course, the famous statue of Peter Pan which appeared
overnight, put up illegally by Barrie himself as a surprise
for the local children.
Richmond: a selective group of
members enjoyed this leisurely walk. After taking the
Overground train round to Richmond from the station it was
easy through Richmond Green to reach the Thames Path. We
then followed the Path through Buccleugh Gardens and Terrace
Gardens for a view immortalised by Turner and Reynolds. Next
we entered Richmond Park at Pembroke Lodge Gardens and on to
Petersham Park and Petersham Meadows, before picking up the
Thames Path again and following it back to the station.
Paddington to Kensal Rise: eight
walkers left Paddington Basin following the Grand Union
canal path to Kensal Green. En route we visited Paddington’s
St Mary Magdalene Church to admire the Victorian pictorial
ceiling — and shelter from the drizzle. Further along we
meandered through the Meanwhile Community Gardens, stopping
for coffee (and cake) at a canalside cafe before arriving at
Kensal Green Cemetery, the first of The Magnificent Seven.
Managing to dodge the puddles, we kept to the central path
noting the ornate monuments and some of the many eccentric
or famous residents. Passing the Grade 1 Listed Anglican
Chapel, we left via the West Gate at Harrow Road for our
journeys home.
Regent's Park: This was
a shared walk of 18 walkers and birdwatchers. We met at
Great Portland St station and briefly visited the Medicinal
Garden of the Royal College of Physicians on the way to St
Katharine's, the 200 year old neo-Gothic Danish church. In
the church garden we saw the Jelling Stone, which is an
exact replica of the runic stone at Jelling in Jutland,
Denmark. This is one of the oldest Danish historic monuments
and was erected in 980 AD by King Harald the grandfather of
King Canute and the first Christian king of Denmark.
Crossing the Outer Circle into Regent's Park we took The
Broad Walk to the 'Ready Money' drinking fountain and then
walked west towards the lake and eventually to the Winter
Garden at the St John's Wood edge of the park. Most members
of the group eventually met up at the Rose Garden cafe where
the loos were free. Despite the St John's Lodge 'Secret
Garden' being marked as closed on its website that morning,
a small group, determined to see it, had found that it was
open after all!
The following birds were observed: robin, long tailed tit,
goldeneye, smew, egyptian goose, red crested pochard,
wigeon, red-breasted merganser, mandarin duck, pintail,
eider duck, great tit and blue tit. Walk details
here.
December
— Canning Town, East India Dock: 12 walkers took part.
We crossed the River Lee from Canning Town station via the
red bridge to City Island. Passing the English National
Ballet School and the London Film School we came to Orchard
Place where a series of panels 'celebrating the rich history
of the area' produced by Urban Space management, founders of
the Trinity Wharf Centre for creative enterprise, provided
very interesting information. The Orchard Cafe, a former
shipping container with a taxi and tree on its roof, was our
coffee stop and we then went on to Trinity Buoy Lighthouse,
unfortunately not open on weekdays so we couldn't see/hear
Longplayer, a one thousand year long musical composition. It
began playing at midnight on the 31st December 1999 and will
continue to play without repetition until the last moment of
2999, at which point it will complete its cycle and begin
again. Longplayer is composed for singing bowls — an ancient
type of standing bell — which can be played by both humans
and machines, and whose resonances can be very accurately
reproduced in recorded form. It is designed to be adaptable
to unforeseeable changes in its technological and social
environments, and to endure in the long-term as a
self-sustaining institution.
The Lighthouse is an experimental lighthouse — London’s only
remaining example — built in 1864. It was never used to aid
navigation on the Thames but to experiment and develop
lighting equipment for the Trinity House network of
lighthouses, lightships and buoys. It was the place where
Michael Faraday worked as Trinity House’s Scientific
Adviser. In the 1840s he developed the lenses used in
maritime lighting, and invented a chimney which solved the
problem of condensation from oil lamps seriously reducing
the light they produced. We saw more of the container city
structures and quirky sculptures and then made our way back
along Orchard Place and through East India Dock Nature
Reserve with its tidal lagoon and saltmarsh (no birds in
sight) to West India Dock Station.
November — Kenwood: ten of us enjoyed this leisurely
walk in beautiful autumn weather, a straightforward walk
over the Heath with a coffee stop outdoors at The Spaniards.
October — Whitechapel to
Wapping: on a glorious day, beautiful blue sky and quite
warm in the sun nine of us (including some new group
members) set off from Whitechapel station. We walked through
the grounds of The Royal London Hospital and continued along
Stepney Way to Stepney City Farm, which has a very nice
cafe. After fortifying ourselves with coffee and cake we
paid a short visit to St Dunstan & All Saints Church to
see the stained glass windows and the 10th century Saxon
Rood (cross). We then walked through Limehouse to join the
Thames Path where we stopped for a group photo with Canary
Wharf in the background. From there we headed towards
Shadwell Basin, Wapping Woods and the ornamental canal. We
passed Tobacco Dock and then continued to Wapping.
Details
here.
September — Brixton to
Herne Hill.
From Brixton station we walked through
Windrush Square passing the Ritzy Cinema and Tate Library
and noting the various Black History monuments. Then through
St Matthew’s Churchyard (where John Major married Norma) to
admire the newly planted fruit trees in the nearby small
Brixton Orchard. There being fewer walkers than usual, we
took a short diversion to visit the Brixton Windmill before
going on to Brockwell Park Lido for a welcome coffee in the
sunshine. We strolled around the park in warm, sunny weather
taking in the wildlife ponds and The Walled Garden, which
was looking lovely with its hot Autumn colours, then up to
Brockwell Hall and views of the London skyline and downhill
again for a short bus ride back to Brixton station. Details
here.
August, Trent Park — 11
walkers followed the London Loop signpost from the car park
by Cockfosters station, which avoided the busy Cockfosters
Road by means of woods and fields. From the cafe, after
walking through woods to the fishing lake and, at the end of
a broad path, turning uphill through more woods to Camlet
Moat, we stopped for a rest and photograph at the Sassoon
Obelisk. From here we came straight down through the meadow
and took a path to the Japanese Water Garden. Some of the
new buildings (apartments, penthouses and detached houses),
near Trent Park House could be seen from here.
Returning to the broad path we retraced our steps to the
cafe. Some members decided to return to the station, others
thought that lunch in the nearby pub, The Cock Inn, might be
a good idea but we changed our minds when we discovered that
only two members of staff were on duty. A great discovery,
when we had almost given up on lunch, was Miracles Cafe and
Restaurant in Cockfosters Parade close to the station.
Thoroughly recommended are an HLT (grilled halloumi cheese
with avocado, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, herbs and olives
etc) and a Lemon Breezer (lime cordial, lemon and mint).
Details
here.
July, Kenwood — eight of us walked from Gospel Oak
station past the Highgate Ponds — Men's Bathing, Boating and
Women's Bathing, but no actual bathing, except by dogs, due
to the recent torrential rain. We then ascended the hill up
to Kenwood House where we enjoyed a coffee break in the sun
at the Brew House after appreciating the herbaceous borders
in full flower in the kitchen garden. Next came the Barbara
Hepworth and Henry Moore sculptures before a descent on a
narrow path through the woods to the Viaduct, which survives
from attempts to develop the Heath before it came into
public ownership 150 years ago. We finished by walking down
to Hampstead Heath station past the Mixed Bathing Pond and a
large circus marquee.
Tower Hamlets
Cemetery and Mile End Park — the quiet, shady paths
of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park turned out to be perfect for
a leisurely walk on a hot, sunny morning. Only five minutes
from busy, noisy Mile End Road, we saw almost no-one and
heard only birdsong, following the Heritage Trail past
monuments and headstones through this nature reserve. There
were wild plants flourishing amongst the many old neglected
gravestones and lining the woodland paths. The group photo
shows us at the highest point, by the Francis Vault, which
had been designed with a brick removed from a wall so that
the sun would shine through a wrought iron cross in a door
on the western side of the vault at dawn on Midsummer's Day.
After an hour or so, we left the cool of the cemetery to
join the Ackroyd Drive Greenlink meadows, stopping for
coffee outside in the shade at the Bow Brew café, before
walking back to the station through Mile End Park.
Regent's Park: despite
the persistent drizzle, four walkers enjoyed a walk around
the delightful flowerbeds and magnificent trees of Regent's
Park. We visited the St John’s Lodge garden, admiring tulips
which seem to be intent on flowering indefinitely this
spring. Queen Mary’s rose garden was on the cusp of bursting
into bloom with a few brave roses already starting to
flower. Somehow, in the rain, the Japanese garden looked
even more beautiful than usual. The lake provided bird-life
entertainment including herons and coots with fluffy chicks.
Shoreditch High Street to Hoxton (April): this
was a pleasant typical inner London walk. After leaving
Shoreditch High Street Station we walked along Sclater
Street, crossed Brick Lane (not so busy these days) and
passed St Matthew's Church. We crossed Bethnal Green Road
and turned into Columbia Road (the home of Columbia Road
Flower Market, also quiet on a weekday), and then walked
through the park next to Hackney City Farm and through
Haggerston Park. After a short stretch along the canal path
we stopped for coffee at the Chalet Café. We then wound our
way toward Hoxton Street, which led us through Hoxton Market
and to Hoxton station. It was not the warmest day but at
least there was no rain.
Victoria Park (December): during a brief
period of no lockdown or other restrictions the Group
managed a walk from Hackney Wick to and around Victoria
Park.
Rotherhithe
(October): we started in the heart of Rotherhithe
Village with coffee at the Watch House, taken al fresco in
the adjoining St Mary's Churchyard gardens. Then leaving
behind the narrow, cobbled streets we headed for the river
and strolled along the Thames Path admiring the views for a
mile or so before turning inland to enter Russia Dock
Woodland. We continued on the main path through this
extensive area, passing streams, ponds and water birds, and
briefly visited the Ecological Park. The high point of the
walk was climbing Stave Hill, an artificial hill made by
using waste material and rubble. A cast bronze relief map of
the former docks stands at the top of the hill. With rain
clouds gathering most headed back to Rotherhithe station but
some stayed for lunch and more conversation at the riverside
Salt Quay pub.
Finsbury Park and the Capital Ring (September): this
was our first walk since lockdown and 9 members were keen to
get out and get some exercise. It was a pretty hot day but
luckily the walk had quite a lot of shade along the route.
Details
here.
Dollis Valley
Greenwalk (March): a small group of walkers grasped
the opportunity of a walk in the winter sunshine along the
Dollis Brook in North London. The two-mile stretch was part
of the 10-mile-long greenwalk from North Barnet to Hampstead
Garden Suburb. Starting at Totteridge and Whetstone station
we followed the well-marked trail through a linear park,
accompanied by birdsong most of the way, spotting welcome
signs of spring. Despite being on tarmac paths we
encountered some decidedly muddy sections after the February
rain. The surprisingly busy Italian café produced good
coffee and a warm break before the last uphill walk to West
Finchley station. Details
here.
Hyde Park: Half a dozen
intrepid walkers braved the aftermath of Storm Dennis and
were rewarded with sparkling spring sunshine for a peaceful
stroll around Hyde Park. We delayed our start to watch the
Household Cavalry heading for duties at the Palace, then
strolled around the Serpentine enjoying the spring blossom
and the just-out daffodils swaying in the breeze. We enjoyed
the ‘art’ we passed including the Queen Elizabeth Gates,
Achilles, the Hudson Memorial, Serenity and the Princess
Diana Fountain. We were amused by the antics of long tailed
tits and amazed at how fearless of people parakeets can be
when food is offered. We paused for a welcome cup of tea in
the Lido café before heading back through the rose garden to
Hyde Park Corner. Details
here.
Canada Water: an intrepid band of
leisurely walkers ventured south of the river for a stroll
through Grade II listed Southwark Park, with a short detour
to the Thames Path to admire the view back home. Despite the
challenges of extensive roadworks, we managed to visit three
parks — Southwark Park, King's Stairs Gardens and George V
Park — passing a motley selection of Southwark blue plaques
commemorating the first Blitz raid on Surrey Docks and the
homes of social reformer Richard Carr-Gomm and the first
President of Uganda. The recently opened Southwark Park
café, overlooking the lake and rose gardens, provided a
scenic and well deserved coffee stop on our way home. Group
photo beside Dr Salter's Daydream on Thames Path.
Details here.
St Paul's to Tower Bridge: again
not many came on the walk. While it was a cold day it was
bright and clear. The walk set of from St Paul's Cathedral
then crossed over the Millennium Bridge and proceeded down
the river and along to Tower Bridge. See full details
here.
Regent's Canal: this was
a gentle walk along the canal on a cold but clear day. Not
many turned out for it — was it too cold? We started outside
Angel Tube Station and walked eastward down City Road then
along Duncan Terrace Gardens to the Canal Towpath, walking
eastwards. We stopped for coffee at Kingsland Basin. See
full details
here.
Highgate to Alexandra Palace:
We had a dry and mostly sunny morning thankfully, for our
walk, after the rainy week. The beech trees in Highgate Wood
were just turning colour. The illusion of being almost in
the countryside continued as we proceeded along the northern
branch of the Parkland Walk accompanied by birdsong,
mercifully without a chorus of parakeets’ screeches, until
we reached the St James viaduct and enjoyed far-reaching
views across the city, spotting the Shard, Canary Wharf and
the Olympic Park. We were rewarded by further extensive
vistas from Alexandra Palace, where we paused to take a peek
into the elegant Palm Court, before continuing through the
gardens to the train station. Details
here.
Archive
For the archived details of previous leisurely walks have a
look here: