The Tour

Twenty members of the Poly Ramblers walking Club met at Highgate station and then went via Waterlow Park to the entrance of Highgate Cemetery, one of the oldest burial places in London and one of the most expensive as it costs on average seventy thousand pounds to be buried there.

We had a knowledgeable, enthusiastic guide who informed us of the historical context of the cemetery and which graves were of unusual significance. These included a grave with an Egyptian Pyramid and the grave of a famous Victorian Boxer with a sculpture of his dog. We were told of the exploits of one of the first zookeepers who had a sculpture of a lion on his grave, who very unfortunately lost some of his lions with a tragic outcome for those who had the misfortune to get in their way.

We were given a fascinating tour of the catacombs in which a visitor had recently accidentally got locked in. One of the most poignant parts of the cemetery was a mass grave of young girls who had arrived in London full of hope for a job in domestic service many of whom became ‘fallen women’. 

We finished the visit in the West Cemetery at the magnificent grave of Karl Marx. We had lunch in Waterlow Park before starting our afternoon walk to Regent’s Park via Hampstead Ponds and Primrose Hill. 

Hilary

Photos by Hilary, Ida and Clare

The Walk

This was a 6 mile afternoon walk following the morning visit to the Cemetery. I suddenly received an email the morning before saying that our leader had been taken ill and was not able to lead. I sent an emergency reply, 11 words, saying I could lead it.

So I met some polyramblers in Waterlow Park having a picnic, others had gone into Lauderdale House cafe. Eventually we all set off from the Cemetery gates about 2pm being about twelve in all. The route took us down Swain’s Lane into the Dartmouth Park area, entering Parliament Hill fields on its east side. Once into this opening we turned northwards into Hampstead Heath passing the Highgate Ponds, then westward into the centre of Hampstead Heath beside a sports ground. We then proceeded southward rising up to the summit of Parliament Hill. From there we descended to Hampstead Ponds, and then into South End Road, coming across Hampstead Heath overground station. At this point half the group decided to leave, having completed about 2.5 miles. So then there were four!

We continued through alleys beside the Royal Free Hospital, into Haverstock Hill, where we passed Belsize Park tube, losing one more. It was busy rush-hour time with children and school runs abundant. We took a right turn into England’s Lane, left into Primrose Hill Road, across Adelaide Road, into the space of Primrose Hill itself where we climbed to the summit (reminding me of our older member Shirley who used to get us up here annually at night to see in the New Year!). We then continued south, crossed Prince Albert Road and entered Regent’s Park, walking along the west side beside the boating lake. Exiting through Clarence Gate we entered Baker Street, whose tube station ended the walk for the four of us.

Geoffrey

Photos by Ida, Hilary, Geoffrey and Clare

Six Polyramblers assembled at Waterloo Station prepared to brave the vagaries of  South Western’s rail replacement buses.  We were rewarded  with a direct bus from Guildford to Petersfield , where we were joined by another Polyrambler, and thus were able to start the walk earlier than anticipated.

The weather brightened and we made good progress, following the Hangers Way via  the village of  Steep.  We climbed  the short but very steep Shoulder of Mutton Hill where we stopped for an early lunch by the memorial bench to the poet Edward Thomas and enjoyed a wonderful view of the South Downs. The path took us down to Hawkley  and its Inn where we stopped for a welcome  drink at the pub  before continuing on. 

The next five miles went through quite muddy rutted paths interspersed with fields and lovely  views. The weather stayed dry until we reached Liss station when the heavens opened while we waited for the 17.38 bus to Guildford. We just made the 19.04 train to Waterloo and were all home by 21.00.

All agreed it was a lovely walk, despite the transport problems and hopefully can be put on the programme again in a couple of years once the railway engineering works are finally completed !

Rochelle

Photos by Stephen

 

Seventeen Polyramblers gathered for an undulating  9.5 mile walk through ancient woodland, open downs and farmland in London’s Green Belt all within zone 6.

Initially we followed part of the Banstead Woods Nature Trail which is an ancient woodland full of English bluebells and containing three sculptures illustrating the C. S. Lewis Narnia books. Leaving the trail we picnicked on a grassy slope of Stagbury Downs with fine views across Chipstead valley. After carefully crossing a railway line we walked through an open valley in Shabden Park and across a golf course to the Well House Inn for a welcome if noisy drinks break. Suitably refreshed we walked through a remote area of country lanes, narrow paths and through the paddocks of Southerns Farm where two friendly donkeys came to say hello.

Our return route took us along a woodland path through Shabden Park’s Long Plantation, along the southern edge of Banstead Wood and across farmland.  We passed Kingswood House, an abandoned head office building, and reached Kingswood station for our journey home.

Thanks to Ida and Nita for the photos and to Carol for the scrumptious bliss balls.

Sunita and Jennifer 

Fourteen Polyramblers gathered for a walk through Hampstead, welcoming a prospective new member and Hilary on her first outing with us since her accident. 

Initially we walked past several sites of interest including Constable’s tomb, Fenton House, Admiral’s House and Whitestone Pond, one of the highest spots in London, before entering the west side of the Heath. We strolled along the wisteria and vine covered Pergola and around the stunning vistas of Hill Garden before reaching the Old Bull and Bush pub where Peter led us in a spirited rendition of the music hall song.

Another stretch of Heath brought us to our lunch spot at Kenwood House where several of us visited the beautiful 18th century mansion with its first-rate art collection whilst others enjoyed the stunning grounds including a magnificent handkerchief tree.

Suitably refreshed ten of us set off to explore the Vale of Health, a magnet for centuries for artists and writers, before a final walk past architectural gems including the Modernist no. 2 Willow Road brought us to Keats House the finish of our walk.

Thanks to Nita, Hilary and Lan for photos.

Jennifer and Chris.

North to South London Trail Part 1  

Twelve Polys congregated at Cockfosters station for the first part of a new route across London from North to South: 34 miles Cockfosters to Carshalton Beeches, taking advantage of the many parks and green spaces. After a short walk through the suburbs, admiring some beautiful magnolia blooms, we negotiated some serious mud descending into the ancient woodland of Oakwood Hill Wood nature reserve where a woodpecker was hard at work in the surrounding trees. We then followed the Pymme’s Brook, a tributary of the River Lea, Trail into Oakhill Park, Brunswick Park and Arnos Park, passing the impressive Arnos Park viaduct built in 1932 when the Piccadilly Line was extended north from Finsbury Park.

We entered Broomfield Park with the remains of its, unfortunately seriously fire damaged, great house. The landscaped grounds with the original Tudor walls remain for the public to enjoy, so we stopped for lunch; either a picnic or delicious cake and coffee at the Palmers Green Community café, run by volunteers. After lunch we continued along the New River Path to Alexandra Palace station via Finsbury Gardens. This is not actually a river but a waterway opened in 1613 to bring drinking water from Hertfordshire to London. One of our members decided to return home from there, while the others took the uphill path to Alexandra Palace. 

While we were enjoying a refreshment stop Chris, who fortunately checks his phone more than the leader, informed us that Gillian, Stuart and Pam were walking towards us. We met up with them and were informed that Pam had sent a message advising of her transport issues getting to the start of the walk. The leader was mortified, but Pam was undeterred and had completed the walk starting just slightly behind us. Gillian and Stuart had been on a boat trip to celebrate the latter’s birthday. Now numbering fourteen, we proceeded along the North Parkland Walk and Highgate Wood to Highgate station. 

The other 4 sections will be offered on future programmes during the winter months when a walk in London is often convenient due to short days and uncertain weather. The leader also made a promise to ensure she checks her phone properly before setting off!

Susan

Photos by Ida and Rajesh