London Hiking

 I've always been a walker. Any time there is some free time, we often say 'Let's go for a walk'. 

The problem is in lockdown, we've completely exhausted all of our local walks. So along with a friend, we decided to start exploring further afield. 

Walk 1 was to Richmond. Not so unusual, but we'd usually cycle there or get the Overground. This time we went across Barnes Bridge, up through the Sheen Gate into Richmond Park, across the park, and back home via the river. TOTAL 16 miles, with a lovely lunch stop at the Duck Pond Market. 

Walk 2: Osterley Park, River Brent, Hanwell Park, Pitshanger & Ealing

This walk started off round Gunnersbury Park, up the A4, and then in to Osterley Park. How have I never been here before?!? It's a beautiful National Trust property, and I'll have to try and visit once it reopens. Then across the M4, along the canal for a bit (past the Three Bridges), up the River Brent through Hanwell Park, and round into Pitshanger. Then back streets of Ealing and home. TOTAL 17 miles

Walk 3: Brent Reservoir & Fryent Country Park

This walk started off past Wormwood Scrubs, and up towards my first London home in Willesden Green. It turns out I never went any further north than Gladstone Park, so it was nice to explore what was nearby. Around Brent Reservoir, and across into Fryent Country Park. VERY BOGGY, but beautiful. Then back through Neasden, Willesden, Harlesden & back home. TOTAL 17 Miles

Walk 4: Brompton Cemetery, Hyde Park, Regents Park

This one was meant to be shorter, as we left later as it was raining. It ended up being 18 miles as per usual!! River path, Lillie Road, Brompton Cemetery, back streets of Chelsea, with some lovely Mews roads, Hyde Park, Serpentine, back streets above Oxford Street, Regents Park, back streets of Bayswater, Uxbridge Road & home. TOTAL 18 miles

Walk 5: Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common, Wandsworth

We started with a usual, along the river and across Barnes Bridge. Then up Roehampten Lane and into Putney Heath. Under the A3 (who knew there was an underpass there) and onto Wimbledon Common. Back through Wandsworth towards the River Wandle, across Putney Bridge, back though Fulham and home. TOTAL 18 miles