London's Hidden Walks: Volume 1 (Explore London)

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Notice this cool bridge while passing through the woods, named after British GP and MP Alfred Salter. This is a simply beautiful stretch of Regent’s Canal. Best at sunrise or twilight, when the sun reflects on the water and all the houseboats are illuminated. Long read: Distillation of a brilliant guide’s many years’ experience probing the hidden places and forgotten nooks of the world’s most elusive city. Exploring secret London – up creeping lanes, round out-of-the-way corners, past veiled islands of green – Shaughan’s at his inimitable best. As the New York Times put it, the walk is “a highly entertaining… blend of historical commentary and bizarre anecdote laced with mildly scurrilous gossip about past and present celebrities and defunct royals.”In such places and with such a guide, the past becomes our present. The streets of London are inexhaustible in their tales they have to tell. Following the success of Stephen Millar’s first three volumes, London’s Hidden Walks Vol.4 introduces twelve new walks that will surprise and entertain the intrepid explorer. Start at Hampton Court (nearest tube: Hampton Court Station): begin at the iconic National Trail, starting from Hampton Court to Radnor Gardens.

The sixth of my secret London walks will take you along Regent’s Canal from Maida Vale to King’s Cross. Enter the Durnsford Road Recreation Ground, following the path that turns left and then sharply right. At the North side of Regent’s Park, get into a little real estate porn with the canalside villas only billionaires could afford Enjoy the private community gardens next to the houseboats, providing some lovely foliage along your canal walkI hope you enjoy playing around with it and that it helps you discover new-to-you areas of the UK capital.

Turn right along Conyers Road, passing the Streatham Pumping Station. This is a really cool Victorian architectural building. If you want to go on this London walk, you can see the full route, map, and photos on my London literary walk blog post.Enter Wandsworth Common, following the path beside the railway line. Pass the ponds and continue towards the houses. This section of the Thames path winds in and around inlets, wharfs and bridges, with cool historic sights along the way.Most London bridge walks that start at Tower Bridge will take you to touristy spots; this doesn’t.

If you’re up for going on it, you can take a look at my Dulwich walk post for the route, photos, video, and map. This loveliest of secret London walks is perfect if you like to be on the water and take in a variety of sights and neighborhoods as you go. It’s a good alternative to the Thames Path, and a great way to see some local London neighborhoods. Follow the Thames Path, enjoying open views of the Thames and passing by Hampton Court Park and Golf Course. Cross the bridge to the stumpery (yeah, that’s a word apparently). It’s just…a lot of tree stumps. I know. Follow the railway line by Estreham Road. After the road bends right, turn left through the subway under the railway to Potters Lane.Turn into Penwith Road and cross the River Wandle. Continue through Ravensbury Terrace, Haslemere Avenue, and Lucien Road. If you’re interested in more A Lady in London walks, my blog post about self-guided London walking tours has all the ones I’ve published in one place. Walk along Alma Terrace, Heathfield Road, and Magdalen Road, passing the Beatrix Potter primary school. You’ll pass near Wandsworth Prison. Finish at Wimbledon Park Station: The section concludes at Wimbledon Park station on the District Line. The first of my secret London walks is in Hampstead. This is one of my favorite north London neighborhoods, and its village atmosphere makes it a great area for walks.

If you want to go on this one, you can find the route, map, photos, and video on my Hampstead walk blog post. I have additional London walks in the pipeline, and they’ll all end up on my London walking map when I’ve published them. If you want to see more of the city, you can also take a look at my London neighborhoods map. This walk – though it takes several necessary detours off the towpath – is known as one of the most beautiful stretches of waterway in England.This is not one of the most hidden walks in London; in fact, it’s wildly popular. Best to go early in the morning or later at night to avoid tourists.Shaughan has made two Podcasts based on this walk. Listening to either or both of them will give you an exceptionally good idea of what’s on the menu – what you get on the walk – and how it’s served up, the guiding. Here’s the Hidden London –Podcast 1. And here’s Hidden London – Podcast 2. HIDDEN LONDON TOUR PRACTICALS Whether you love London canal walks or walks around London Bridge, you’ll find what you’re looking for. My Hampstead walk winds its way through the area’s eye-catching side streets, giving you an overview of the neighborhood and its hidden lanes as you go. It also features a number of good local Hampstead pubs. We need to take a little detour off the towpath, but we’ll rejoin after the private section at Lisson Grove From charming squares to narrow passageways, side streets to hidden courtyards, these secret London walking tours will take you to some of my favorite hidden places around the UK capital.