Explore ALL (off-the-beaten-track) London: CENTRAL LONDON, the SUBURBS, the VILLAGES

The order of the sights follows different routes, normally from WEST to EAST

ROYAL CORTS OF JUSTICE

TWINNINGS

THE TEMPLE

PRINCE HENRY’S ROOM

“FLEET STREET” in English means the British press

Look up: newspapers former HQ

DR.JOHNSON’S HOUSE. 

CHESHIRE CHEESE PH.

ST.BRIDE’S CHURCH.

“ALSATIA” district. Crime and violence. Precisely, French and Germans were at war over the region

The clurse of the river FLEET.

PLAYHOUSE YARD?: SHAKESPEARE theatre!

BLACKFRIARS:  former CHOIR SCHOOL and BISHOP OF LONDON’s residence

A SHAKESPEARE property

The royal WARDROBE

A letter sent to SHAKESPEARE

Former POST OFFICE

—South of ST.PAUL’s

FT HQ. 
THE WREN COFFEE, or ST.NICHOLAS COLE ABBEY. Yes, it is still a church!

COLLEGE OF ARMS

SALVATION ARMY HQ

The saviours of ST.PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

CLEARY GARDEN

ST. JAMES’S GARLICKHITHE

ST.MICHAEL PATERNOSTER ROYAL

A couple LIVERY COMPANIES’ HALLS

Site of the HANSEATIC LEAGUE

 

ST.LAWRENCE POULTNEY churchyard

THE OLDE WINE SHADES

The MONUMENT’s laboratory?

The smallest piece  of public art?

LEADENHALL MARKET

 

—towards the North

The LONDON STONE

ROTHSCHILD BANK HQ

Abchurch Lane > Lombard Street > St.Michael’s Alley

THE CROSS KEYS PH
LEADENHALL MARKET

LEADENHALL

ST. ANDREW UNDERSHAFT

ST.HELEN’S BISHOPSGATE

22  BISHOPSGATE. Viewing decks

LLOYD’S. V isiting

Eastern cluster of Skyscrapers

UNDERSHAFT: A FUTURE SKYSCRAPER

—towards the TOWER

THE GARDEN at 120

LAMBE’S  CRYPT

ST.OLAVE’s CHURCH

SIR THOMAS WALSINGHAM’S HOUSE

PEPPYS PARMIGIANO REGGIANO

FRENCH ORDINARY

ROMAN WALL

Former PLA

TRINITY HOUSE CORPORATION

TOWER HILL. A god-raven buried here

ALL HALLOWS BARKING CHURCH

ST.DUNSTAN IN THE EAST GARDEN

TOWER OF LONDON

SECRET TUNNEL

GUARDS’’ ROOM

 

 

—North of ST.PAUL’s CATHEDRAL

PANIER ALLEY

POSTMAN’S PARK

BOW LANE

FREDERICK PLACE

OLD JEWRY

A ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE

MEMORIAL TO SHAKESPEARE’s FRIENDS

A London church in AMERICA

SHAKESPEARE’s lodgings

LONDON WALL

THE NED

MITHRAS TEMPLE. BLOOMBERG’s HQ

ST.STEPHEN WALBROOK. 

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM

ROYAL EXCHANGE shopping mall

 

—Towards  ST.MICHAEL’S ALLEY > LEADENHALL > TOWER

 

 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES

EDE & RAVENSCROFT. Long established tailor and wig maker

BELL LANE. Barber next to a pie shop. Does it sounds familiar? 

LINCOLNS INN FIELDS. A medieval institution

LSE campus. DICKENS’ SHOP

SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM

HUNTERIAN COLLECTION. Anatomy

 

LINCOLNS INN

                 

SECRET entrance SHELTER

LODON SILVER VAULTS

STAPLE INN. Half-timbered original façade

PRUDENTIAL “ASSURANCE”

CITTIE OF YORK PH

WATER PUMP

GRAYS INN

ST ALBAN’S THE MARTYR church

LEATHER LANE MARKET. Street food

HATTON GARDEN. Jewellers quarter

Magic Shop

FARRINGDON STATION. First metro

boutique hotel

Direction SMITHFIELD MARKET

MUSEUM OF LONDON

 

From CHARING CROSS

PH

PH

Secret 

OWO

HORSE GUARDS

BANQUETING HOUSE 

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Cellar rooms

WATERHOUSE

MI6

MEMORIALS: RAF and BATTLE OF BRITAIN

RICHMOND TER

OLD SCOTLAND YARD

SPEAKER OF THE COMMONS official residence
BRIDGE STREET.

BOUDICCA

First traffic lights

First roundabout 

The SUPREME COURT of the UK

The first Bobby

METHODIST CENTRAL HALL

CONSERVATIVE PARTY pretty HQ

DEAN’S YARD. THE CELLARIUM café. Abbey Cloisters and Garden

LORD NORTH STREET “shelters”

ST JOHN SMITH SQUARE. Former church, now a concert.  Restaurant

 

 

To VICTORIA TOWER GARDENS:

BUXTON MEMORIAL

FLOODING 

THE BURGHERS OF CALAIS

The PANKHURST MEMORIAL

The JEWELL TOWER

GV. First WINDSOR and first CHRISTMAS radio address

HENRY VII CHAPEL (ABBEY). Can you see how similar looks its stonework to the one of the PALACE?

 

 

 

To PIMLICO

CHANNEL  4 HQ

MARKET

DEVIL’s ACRE

GREYCOAT SCHOOL

SQUARE. DNA. Roman. Ritz and Escoffier established the first London cooking school

TATE BRITAIN

Former military 

BOLLARD

HENRY MOORE artwork

In PIMLICO, by the river: ST.GEORGE’S SQUARE

Statue of THOMAS CUBITT

On the VAUXHALL side:  MI6

 

—to the PIMLICO side of VAUXHALL BRIDGE ROAD

ST.JAMES’S THE LESS church

Modern development enveloping the church

Victorian stuccoed terraces 

Market

WILTON ST. Shops and eateries

 

VICTORIA STATION. An old railway map

eateries

EATON SQUARE and BELGRAVE SQUARE. Stuccoed terraces. An the statues…

 

Try to have a drink in the GRENADIER PUB. It is hidden away, in a middle of a mews. But there are two mews entrances

Shopping, eating an drinking

 

Now a different route from PARLIAMENT SQUARE: 

QUEEN’S GATE

PETTY FRANCE

CAXTON HALL

BLUECOAT SCHOOL

ROYAL MEWS

QUEEN VICTORIA SQUARE. Pretty (square)

IAN FLEMING lived here (before writing BOND’s -JAMES BOND) novels 

*CHARING CROSS

A place called  CHARING CROSS?

The King who lost his head

South side of TRAFALGAR SQUARE. Canadian connections. Roof bar.

COCKSPUR ST.?

The site where the RUGBY ASSOCIATION was founded, now is OCEANIC HOUSE. Sound familiar name?. It was the TITANIC’s sister ship. Here was the HQ of the WHITE STAR LINE. There are 1912 photos of the panic scenes here

 

TRAFALGAR, Cadis. What?

“Sipping the Admiral”

Cat or Lion?

How was your stay General Washington?

ADMIRALTY ARCH. A new hotel. Can you see BUCKINGHAM PALACE?. 

The oldest building of CHARING CROSS?: ST.MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS church

The previous fountains are in… 

NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE

KOREAN CULTURE

SHERLOCK HOLMES PH

Dead bodies in BENJAMIN FRANKLIN lodgings

A GREEN HUT

A WATERGATE. The river shore is more than 100 m. away?. BAZALGETTE

VICTORIA EMBANKMENT GARDENS are delightful 

GORDON’S WINE BAR

 

VILLIERS ST. Eateries, as well in the arches. 
A split in two public house!

A street called OF

A  Victorian version of the MEMORIAL CROSS that used to be where the beheaded king got his MEMORIAL

 

*THE ADELPHI. The brothers

ROYAL SOCIETY

A num.10

The other side of the STRAND is COVENT GARDEN. A beach?… where is it?

 

*COVENT GARDEN

Passages.

NELLY GWYNN PH

MAIDEN LANE

TURNER, born here. Now beers served here.

An actor’s murder

Recording studios of an American company 

RULES. The oldest. An English restaurant. The coat of arms of the royal family: “Honi soi  qui mal y pensé”.  The story of the swap

Catholic church. Vatican flag

See the artwork on the wall?: fruits and vegetables

THE PIAZZA. Piazza?

“COVENT GARDEN MARKET”: A market hall?

Look up: the coat of arms is the one of the DUKE OF. BEDFORD. The motto is “CHE SARA SARA”. Italian again!

A glass of port in the CRUSTING PIPE?

Enjoy the shops and the eateries. And the street entertainment…

Leave to your left the former banana exchange, now APPLE. Carry on walking JAMES ST and NEAL STREET. Former warehouses

The TEA SHOP closed a few years ago.

To the right, SHORT GARDENS: you will find the oldest FISH AND CHIPS restaurant in London

On the left, the SEVEN DIALS (street food) MARKET.

The (British) cheese monger

Walk in and exit to the North of it: NEAL’S YARD is not to be missed

MONMOUTH STREET: awesome shops and eateries. MONMOUTH COFFEE HOUSE

Walk towards the column: this intersection of 7 streets is the centrepiece of SEVEN DIALS. Count them well, those dials!

At the end of EARLHAM ST. you can spot SOHO!

 

Not to be missed in Covent Garden on another route from de PIAZZA to SOHO: 

FLORAL STREET, the LAMB & FLAG PH, BEDFORD PASSAGE, NEW STREET, THE SALISBURY PH.,  CECIL COURT

 

*BLOOMSBURY

MUSEUM STREET

ROMAN & ANGLO-SAXON ENGLAND in the BRITISH MUSEUM

RUSSELL SQUARE

The university presents its Apologies to the Landlord

SOAS

NOOR INAYAR KHAN. Spy

BLOOMSBURY THEATRE

Labyrinthine UCL. Refectory of the godless institution

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON COLLECTIONS, including the founder’s body (honestly!)

CRUCIFORM BUILDING. GOWER ST. 

PETRIE MUSEUM

CHENIES ST. EISENHOWER CENTRE

STORE ST. THE BUILDING CENTRE

SENATE HOUSE

BEDFORD SQ. AAA Architectural Exhibitions

From here to PERCY ST., FITZROVIA

 

From RUSSELL SQUARE:

COSMO PLACE

QUEEN SQUARE

GOSH

CONDUIT ST.

RUGBY ESTATE

Georgian streets and mewses

CHARLES DICKENS

THE LAMB PH

FOUNDLING MUSEUM

ST.GEORGE’S GARDENS

BRUNSWICK CENTRE

MARCHMONT STREET

CARTWRIGHT GARDENS

WOBURN WALK

THE PLACE

ST. PANCRAS NEW CHURCH

 

*SOMERS TOWN

CHALTON ST. MARKET FR

THE PEOPLE MUSEUM

SIR FRANCIS CRICK INSTITUTE

BRITISH LIBRARY

ST.PANCRAS STA.

GERMAN GYMNASIUM 

GRANARY SQUARE

COAL DROPS

REGENT’S CANAL to *CAMDEN or *ISLINGTON, passing the famous GASHOLDERS

CAMLEY STREET NATURAL PARK

ST.PANCRAS OLD CHURCH

To *CAMDEN TOWN

 

From ST.PANCRAS NEW CHURCH

TAVISTOCK SQ

GORDON SQ

RUSSELL SQ

 

 

 

*FITZROVIA 

From SOHO SQ (SOHO) to NOHO

CHARLOTTE ST.,PERCY ST, RATHBONE PLACE, NEWMAN PASSAGE, CARLOTTE PLACE, GOODGE PLACE

THE FITZROY TAVERN 

INDIAN YMCA

Statue of FRANCISCO DE MIRANDA 

FITZROY SQ (who was the bastard son?)

VENEZUELAN EMBASSY. Where BOLIVAR meets SANMARTIN

THE FITZROVIA CHAPEL (site of former MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL)

SANDERSON HOTEL. French design

THE CARTOON MUSEUM

ALL SAINTS MARGARET ST.

BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE

ALL SAINTS LANGHAM PLACE

Georgian PORTLAND PLACE.

Northwards to REGENTS PARK

RIBA. Architectural Exhibitions

SIKORSKY statue

LISTER statue

KENNEDY bust 

church

REGENTS PARK. On the edge, NASH’S REGENCY TERRACES and some MEWSES anti-clockwise 

DANISH CURCH

You are very close to CAMDEN TOWN alongside PARKWAY. Eateries

PARK VILLAGE WEST & EAST

ZOO

To the North, *PRIMROSE HILL, the actual hill and the neighbourhood 

To the North-West, *ST.JOHN’S WOOD

 

West Side:

LONDON CENTRAL MOSQUE

 

Inside de park:

WINGFIELD HOUSE. USA EMBASSY

Contemporary but old style villas

 

QUEEN MARY’S ROSE GARDEN 

JAPANESE GARDEN

RP BAR&KITCHEN

OPEN AIR THEATRE 

BOATING LAKE

THE WATERSIDE CAFÉ

 

Very close to the PARK:

SHERLOCK HOLMES MUSEUM

BEATLES’ SHOP

MADAME TUSSAUD’S

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC MUSEUM

ST.MARYLEBONE Parish Church

MARYLEBONE HIGH ST.

EDWARD VII HOSPITAL. Royal clients

 

You are in *MARYLEBONE

 

*MARYLEBONE

From the South 

JAMES ST & HIGH STREET. Eateries and shops

MANCHESTER SQUARE WALLACE COLLECTION

ST. JAMES’S SPANISH PLACE RC Church

DURRANTS HOTEL 

 

You are going to like this area off the HIGH STREET: MOXON STREET, GARBUTT PLACE, GROTTO PASSAGE, PADDINGTON GARDENS

Still more to the West: CHILTERN STREET

THE CHILTERN FIREHOUSE HOTEL 

 

Walk West, BLANFORD ST/ DORSET ST/CRAWFORD ST: admire MONTAGUE and BRYANSTON SQUARES.

To the North of BRYANSTON SQ,  ST.MARY’S Church, WYNDHAM PLACE.

Go North, round the church, cross MARYLEBONE ROAD.

THE LANDMARK HOTEL

MARYLEBONE STATION

Look for THE SEASHELL OF LISSON GROVE

Walk on LISSON GROVE, then CHURCH STREET. Antiques shops and eateries

ALFIE’S ANTIQUES

CHURCH STREET  MARKET

 

EGWARE ROAD. Shops and eateries 

 

ST.MARY’S PADDINGTON HOSPITAL. THE ALEXANDER FLEMING MUSEUM.

You will go past the WING of the hospital. The private, royal one

If you enter the PADDINGTON BASIN, you will be in LITTLE VENICE in 15 min.

Or you can walk to BAYSWATER, alongside CRAVEN HILL, or follow CRAVEN TERRACE and LANCASTER GATE. A few eateries and two pubs: THE MITRE and THE SWAN 

Look for THE HENRY HOTEL. Next door appears to be an strange building… Carry on your walk alongside CRAVEN HILL GARDENS, turn right and see the rear of that building… Then QUEENSBOROUGH PASSAGE and TERRACE, turn left and the QUEENSWAY  is 5 min. away.

 

 

From  CHURCH ST. A different route towards LITTLE VENICE:

After crossing EDGWARE RD., ST.MARY’S, PADDINGTON’s  Parish  Church.  Contemporary, but in old style SCHOOL building and  trompe-l-oeil. QUINLAN TERRY, the King’s favourite architect

Former WELSH  church

Beautiful Regency villas around

CATHOLIC APOSTHOLIC Church 

REGENT’S CANAL. See the CAFÉ LAVILLE?

 

*LITTLE VENICE

WARWICK ROAD LU station

ALAN TURING born here. Now, THE COLONNADE

HOTEL

FORTUNA ST. THE ALFRED PH and other eateries

CLIFTON NURSERIES. Garden centre & café

CLIFTON RD. Shops and eateries

 

Towards *KILBURN

THE WARRINGTON HOTEL & PH

LAUDERDALE  RD. SYNAGOGUE

MAIDA VALE LU

ELGIN MEWS N & S

PADDINGTON RECREATION GROUND

 

*KILBURN.  “County Kilburn”

 

ST. AGUSTINE Church

KILBURN HIGH RD. Shops and eateries 

SIR COLIN CAMPBELL PH

THE BLACK LION PH and GUESTHOUSE

 

*BRONDESBURY

LO

LU KILBURN STA

THE NORTH LONDON TAVERN

 

*CRICKLEWOOD

THE CROWN TAVERN and HOTEL

 

GLADSTONE PARK

DOLLIS HILL

shelter

 

*WILLESDEN 

HIGH ROAD. Shops and eateries. 

When in KILBURN:

Alongside WEST EN ROAD to

*WEST HAMPSTEAD.Shops and restaurants

BOHEMIA HOUSE. Czech restaurant

Look for the POST OFFICE (ST.JAMES’S church)

LU & LO stations

WEST END GREEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

*MAYFAIR

MERCATO MAYFAIR. Not anymore a WELSH church

GROSVENOR SQUARE. Little America!

Eastwards to DUKE ST.

UKRANIAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL

BROWN HART GARDENS

THE BEAUMONT HOTEL. ROOM, sculpture!

To WHEIGHTHOUSE  ST>SOUTH MOLTON ST

GRAYS ANTIQUES

 

MOUNT ST. Delightful

MOUNT ST. GARDENS>GROSVENOR CHAPEL>JESUIT  CHURCH>FARM ST> THE PUNCHBOWL PH

EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA

SHEPHERD MARKET

To PICCADILLY

To BERKELEY SQUARE: ANNABEL’S CLUB

BURDON HOUSE

BRUTON ST. Site where Queen Elizabeth was born

BRUTON MEWS. THE GUINEA FOWL PH. 

To BOND ST.

ST.GEORGE’S, HANOVER SQUARE church

HANOVER SQUARE.

To OXFORD ST

 

UPPER BROOK STREET 

SOUTH MOLTON ST. Shopping

HANDEL AND HENDRIX IN LONDON

CORK ST. commercial  art galleries

BROWN’S HOTEL

ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN. FARADAY!

BOND STREET. Shopping

SOTHEBY’S, the auction house can be visited. Oldest statue in public view

SAVILLE ROW. Bespoke tailor

Num.2 SAVILLE ROW: site of HQ of APPLE CORP.

To REGENT STREET

 

 

*ST.JAMES’S

CHRISTIE’S, the auction house, can be visited 

JERMYN ST & ST.JAMES’S ST

CHURCHILL’s cigars at JAMES J. FOX

J&B

PICKERING PLACE. Former TEXAS embassy. Cellars

WINE MERCHANT

BLUE BELL YARD & THE STAFFORD HOTEL

SPENCER HOUSE

Secret passage to GREEN PARK

ST.JAMES’S PALACE  ORIGINAL GATEHOUSE and the CHAPEL ROYAL

A glimpse of CLARENCE HOUSE and LANCASTER HOUSE

Greek Shipowners

JULES VERNE in LONDON: the REFORM CLUB

ST.JAMES’S SQUARE

IN AND OUT CLUB

LONDON LIBRARY 

CHATHAM HOUSE

QUEEN’S MOTHER residence

PALL MALL

RED LION PH

COMMINWEALTH

QUEBEC

NELL GWYNN

A famous HUGUENOT

ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB

DE GAULLE &  NAPOLEON III

MY FAITHFUL FRIEND

A PHONE BOX? 

 

 

 

 

The Gentlemen’s Clubs 1 & 2

 

 

*SOHO

RADHA KHRISHNA TEMPLE. Restauran

SOHO SQ. Ventilation?. Shelter?

MPLtd

HOUSE OF CHARITY

Former Hospital

The Huguenot refuge

Irish

 

PIZZA EXPRESS. JAZZ CLUB

 

GREEK ST.

MILROY’S OFVSOHO. Whisky

Site of The Gay Hussar restaurant

ST.JAMES’S CLUB

MAISON BERTEAUX. Patissier communard

COACH & HORSES PH

FRITH ST Northwards

BAR ITALIA. First TV demonstration 

RONNY SCOTT’S. JAZZ

GARLIC & SHOTS

HAZLITT’S HOTEL 

THE DOG & DUCK PH

To DEAN ST.

Site of Quo Vadis restaurant 

MARX. The poverty years

 

ST.ANNE’S COURT.

BEATLES, BOWIE and many others recording here

 

 

OLD COMPTON ST

MEARD ST.

CAMISA and SON. Salami

The FIRST ROCK’N’ROLL performed in Europe

ST.ANNE’s church. A King of Corsica buried here!

 

BREWER ST

RAYMOND’S REVUE BAR

 

Westwards

CHEVALIER D’EON. Illustrious 18th c. resident

FARRIERS PASSAGE

 

Southwards

GREAT WINDMILL ST

BE AT ONE

HAM YARD. ALEXIS SOYER

Northwards

GOLDEN SQUARE

MARQUES DE POMBAL. Legate.

Chapel

To CARNABY ST

 

BREWER ST

To BERWICK ST. MARKET 

Site of QUO VADIS. MARXT

THE JOHN SNOW PH. & The BROAD STREET PUMP

SOHO MURAL

CARNABY ST. & the NEWBURGH QUARTER

SWINGING SIXTIES

KINGLY COURT. KINGLY STREET 

Rear of HAMLEY’S. REGENT ST. APPLE mosaics

LIBERTY’S

 

 

LONDON EYE. Amazing engineering

CANADIAN POLE. A Silver Jubilee present 

INTERNATIONAL BRIGADES MEMORIAL

BANKSY TUNNEL. Street art and eateries

LOWER MARSH and THE CUT. Eateries

The NECROPOLIS railway STATION

MARIE’S CAFÉ

ROUPELL STREET. KING’S ARMS PH

 

Riverside walk

SOUTHBANK CENTRE and BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE.
ROYAL.FESTIVAL HOLL.See a little exhibition about the 1951 FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN

QUEEN ELIZABETH ROOM

HAYWARD GALLERY

NATIONAL THEATRE

GABRIEL’S WHARF

OXO TOWER. Craft hub

SEACONTAINERS

BLACKFRIARS STATION. Former bridge

BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE

HOPTON ALMHOUSES

TATE

NEOBANKSIDE

WATERCOLOURISTS

SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL residence

CARDINAL HAT

SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE

FERRYMAN SEAT

BEAR GARDENS 

GLOBE EDUCATION

Site of THE GLOBE

Site of THE ROSE

THE ANCHOR PH

CLINK “PRISON”

Site of the Bishop of Winchester PALACE

DRAKE’S GOLDEN HINDE

New LONDON BRIDGE. 

SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL

BOROUGH MARKET

Former HOP EXCHANGE

MEUNIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

 

To UNION STREET. Eateries.
REDCROSS LANE  rediscovered burial ground 

Former LFB HQ, restored and newly redeveloped

Former POST OFFICE, now LONDON FIRE BRIGADE HQ

 

 

BOROUGH HIGH STREET. Eateries

Look up: HOP FACTOR

Look down: sites of former INNS, names engraved

Site of the TABBARD IN: THE CANTERBURY TALES

ST.GEORGE THE MARTYR church

Walls of the MARSHALSEA PRISON

 

 

GUY’S HOSPITAL’s historical parts and gardens

KING’S COLLEGE COLLECTIONS

SNOWFIELDS. Eateries

PH

Two charity marks

 

Site of ST.THOMAS’S HOSPITAL. OPERATIONS THEATRE MUSEUM

THE SHARD OF GLASS

MELLIOR ST. SLOVAKIAN Catholic Misión 

THE HORSHOE INN PH. Lovely street setting & seating 

AMY WINEHOUSE

VINEGAR YARD. Street food and market

BLUEMOON artwork

 

 

Riverside:

New London Bridge. The newest bridge. And the oldest 

DICKENS’S STEPS and LONDON BRIDGE Old arch

ST.OLAF former offices and warehouses, now LONDON BRIDGE HOSPITAL 

HAY’S GALLERIA

Artwork

HORNIMAN PH

The founder of the LFB (and, previously, of the GLASGOW one)

SOUTHWARK MAGISTRATE’S COURT

HMS BELFAST. 1933 Light cruise

 

 

LONDON BRIDGE STATION. Awesomely refurbished. Bits of history inside. Trains to DEPTFORD  started running on the viaduct (900+brick arches) in 1836, from its antec SPA ROAD STATION

 

BERMONDSEY STREET. Eateries, art galleries, shops, lovely atmosphere

LEATHERMARKET GARDENS/STREET 

Former LEATHER EXCHANGE. 

WINE SCHOOL

GLASS BLOWING

TEXTILE & FASHION MUSEUM

WHITE CUBE GALLERY

ST.MARY MAGDALENE church. Outside: See the trompe-l’oeil?. WATCH HOUSE. A ROLLS is buried here. But not a ROYCE

NEW CALEDONIAN. Fridays antiques market. Site of a CLUNIAC PRIORY

GRANGE WALK towards NECKINGER ST and 

SPA GARDENS

ALASKA building

SOUTHWARK PARK RD to

BERMONDSEY TOWN CENTRE. Shops and eateries

SOUTHWARK PARK

ROTHERHITHE VILLAGE

Back on the Thames side, towards TOWER BRIDGE. 

Land property of KUWAIT.

LONDON BRIDGE CITY

Modern residential development 

At the rear, the former ST.OLAVE SCHOOL is now 

THE LALIT HOTEL. Sea the HEADMASTERS OFFICE, 

THE POMMELERS REST PH. A JD WETHERSPOON

The former court of justice is now THE DIXON HOTEL

ELIZABETH STREET. Horses

 

Again at the riverside 

Former CITY HALL

SHAD THAMES.  St.John’s HORSELYDOWN church

Boilerhouse of the former COURAGE BREWERY, later THE ANCHOR HORSELYDOWN

BUTLER’S SHARF. Former warehouses. Now apartments & eateries.

THE ANCHOR TAP PH. Surrounded by former brewery buildings

 

THAMES PATH to ROTHERHITHE.

CHINA WHARF. bridge over the river NECKINGER. DICKENS’ “capital of colera”.

From here, Southwards or away from the river, to the BEER MILE around DRUID ST. and MALTBY ST MARKET

BERMONDSEY WALL

THAMES TIDEWAY

THE OLD JUSTICE. PAUL MCCARTNEY 

Rests of KING EDWARD III’s MANOR HOUSE 

THE ANGEL PH

CATHAY ST.

IDA and DR.SALTER memorial

KING’S STAIRS GARDENS

Sole house left standing

PARADISE ST. Former Police Station

ST. PETER’S AND THE GUARDIAN ANGELS RC church

ROTHERHITHE VILLAGE>>>>

When you are in WEST LONDON, and you have visited the classical touristic sights, here you have something else…

*CHELSEA

SLOANE SQUARE & KING’S ROAD. Shops & eateries. 
DUKE OF YORK SQUARE. Saturday’s market. 

SAATCHY GALLERY

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN

ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA. HOME OF THE CHELSEA PENSIONERS.

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM.

Very close to  STAMFORD BRIDGE. CHELSEA F.C, you will find the KING’S ROAD ANTIQUES hub. Around LOTS RD. And…

CHELSEA HARBOUR. Beautiful marina, hotel, residential and offices. With the DESIGN CENTRE and…

606 CLUB. JAZZ venue

BROMTON CEMETERY. Explore THE PAULTONS area is very close 

 

 

*FULHAM

FULHAM PALACE.  Former summer residence of the Bishop of  London

FULHAM BROADWAY and  NORTH END ROAD. Street market, shops, eateries

PARSONS GREEN area. THE WHITE HORSE  PH

CRAVEN COTTAGE, FULHAM FC.: an Edwardian football ground

ALL SAINTS CHURCH

ALMSHOUSES

Riverside. The RIVER CAFÉ, RUTH ROGERS’ mythical (Italian cuisine) establishment 

PUTNEY BRIDGE: can you see PUTNEY’S church?

 

*HAMMERSMITH

KING ST. Shops & eateries

RIVERSIDE STUDIOS

Riverside walk to CHISWICK. FURNIVAL GARDENS. Look for the BERLIN STREET LAMP

KELMSCOTT HOUSE. William Morris museum

THE DOVE PH, on the riverside

EMERY WALKER HOUSE

 

*BARNES

Visit the village after walking from HAMMERSMITH over the beautiful Bazalgette’s HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE…

BULL’S HEAD PH. Jazz club

WETLANDS CENTRE. Wildlife

What about walking to PUTNEY?

 

More off the beaten track:

*NOTTING HILL

— the MUSEUM OF BRANDS

— KENSAL RISE CEMETERY

 

*SOUTH KENSINGTON

— the POLISH  MUSEUM & ARCHIVE

— the POLISH HEARTH

 

*EALING
A lively, lovely Victorian suburb. Plenty of shops and eateries, alongside THE BROADWAY and THE GREEN 

PITZHANGER MANOR. SIR JOHN SOANE’s country retreat

 

*SOUTHALL

LITTLE INDIA!

THREE BRIDGES. BRUNEL!

 

*HANWELL

 A flight… of locks

 

*BRENTFORD. 

WATER & STEAM MUSEUM.

MUSICAL MUSEUM

GRAND UNION CANAL walk

BOSTON MANOR HOUSE. Jacobean Aristocratic residence 

 

*ISLEWORTH

Village

THE LONDON APPRENTICE PH

The AIT. Natural reserve

 

OSTERLEY PARK & HOUSE. Georgian country residence designed by architect ROBERT ADAM, for the CHILDS, a CITY banking family

 

SYON PARK & HOUSE. DUKE IF NORTHUMBERLAND’s country home

*NEASDEN

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (‘Neasden Temple’). 

 

*HARROW

Lively small Victorian suburb

HARROW ON THE HILL. The old village

HARROW SCHOOL. Elite school. 
HEADSTONE MANOR. Local museum

*WEMBLEY

 Victorian suburb. Shops and eateries. Indian community

 NATIONAL STADIUM & EVENTS SPACE

WEMBLEY ARENA. Music, sports, events

LONDON DESIGNER OUTLETS

 

*PINNER

The village

HEATH ROBINSON MUSEUM. Dedicated to the local artist

 

After CAMDEN TOWN,it’s markets, shops, pubs, live music… walk alongside the REGENT’S CANAL to 

*PRIMROSE HILL. Eateries. Great views from the actual hill…

 

From *PRIMROSE HILL, you can walk to:

—-*BELSIZE PARK (shops and eateries) and to *HAMPSTEAD

—-ST.JOHN’S WOOD (lovely shops and restaurants) and the famous BEATLES’ ZEBRA CROSSING. The BEN URI GALLERY is not far away

—-from ST.JOHN’S WOOD, <<<<MAIDA VALE and <<<< LITTLE VENICE are only a stone throw  (see WEST END/MARYLEBONE)

And, as well, you can go towards *KILBURN

THE WARRINGTON HOTEL & PH

LAUDERDALE  RD. SYNAGOGUE

MAIDA VALE LU

ELGIN MEWS N & S

PADDINGTON RECREATION GROUND

 

*KILBURN.  “County Kilburn”

ST. AGUSTINE Church

KILBURN HIGH RD. Shops and eateries 

SIR COLIN CAMPBELL PH

THE BLACK LION PH and GUESTHOUSE

 

*BRONDESBURY

LO

LU KILBURN STA

THE NORTH LONDON TAVERN

 

*CRICKLEWOOD

THE CROWN TAVERN and HOTEL

 

GLADSTONE PARK

DOLLIS HILL

WW2 shelter

 

*WILLESDEN 

HIGH ROAD. Shops and eateries. 

When in KILBURN:

Alongside WEST EN ROAD to

*WEST HAMPSTEAD.Shops and restaurants

BOHEMIA HOUSE. Czech restaurant

Look for the POST OFFICE (ST.JAMES’S church)

LU & LO stations

WEST END GREEN

 

And, then, the “NORTHERN HEIGHTS”:

*HAMPSTEAD

BURGH HOUSE. Local museum and lovely café. Try WELL WALK and other alleys…

FENTON HOUSE. Museum of musical instruments

Lively town centre. Shops and eateries

THE HOLLY BUSH PH. Easy to miss. Do not miss!

EVERYMAN CINEMA.  Living history

ST.JOHN’S CHURCH & CHURCHYARD

FREUD MUSEUM. And his home

ISOKON APARTMENTS. LAWN ROAD. German Bauhaus and Soviet spies…and Agatha Christie, and more artists!

 

From 

FREUD MUSEUM. And his home

FINCHLEY ROAD. Shops and eateries

CAMDEN ARTS CENTRE.

JW3. Jewish culture

 

HAMPSTEAD HEATH. Awesome PARK

Visit the IVEAGH COLLECTION of paintings in KENWOOD HOUSE. And its lovely café awaits you.

 

THE SPANIARDS INN PH.  10 min. Walk from KENWOOD HOUSE

 

HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB, a pioneer residential development. Within walking distance from GOLDERS GREEN or THE SPANIARDS

*GOLDERS GREEN.
JEWISH COMMUNITY AND KOREAN restaurants 

HOOP LANE CEMETERY and  CREMATORIUM  

Lovely walk from HAMPSTEAD, JACK STRAW’S CASTLE to GOLDERS GREEN, through the PERGOLA and the HILL GARDEN

*HENDON

Old village

ST.MARY’S Church

THE OLD GREYHOUND PH

Former CHURCH FARMHOUSE MUSEUM

THE BURROUGHS

CHURCH RD. Shops and eateries

HENDON CENTRAL and adjacent streets. Typical London Metroland suburbs

VIVIAN AVE. Eateries and shops

A Blue plaque in Hendon? 

35 CRESPIGNY ROAD. GARBO’S BASE

 

*COLINDALE. RAF MUSEUM

 

*HIGHGATE VILLAGE. Shops & eateries

HIGHGATE SOCIETY.

HIGHGATE LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION

THE GATE THEATRE

LAUDERDALE HOUSE ARTS CENTRE

HIGHGATE CEMETERIES

JACKSONS LANE ARTS CENTRE

Walk to MUSWELL HILL & ALEXANDRA PALACE (and FINSBURY PARK) alongside the former railway line

THE HOLLY VILLAGE. One of Mrs.BURDETT-COUTTS projects 

Along HIGHGATE HILL you will find a London legend: the WHITTINGTON CAT

 

*MUSWELL HILL. Shops and eateries, in a beautiful Victorian suburb.Yes, it only dates from Victorian times… 

 

*CROUCH END. And, again, Victorian!

 

*ALEXANDRA PALACE

 

But, when in CAMDEN TOWN…

—JEWISH MUSEUM

—Walk the REGENT’S CANAL to KING’S CROSS & COAL DROPS YARD. Shops and eateries. Nearby, on CALEDONIAN ROAD, ETHIOPIAN restaurants

Walk or take the bus to

*KENTISH TOWN. Shops and eateries

—ASSEMBLY ROOMS PH

—THE BULL & GATE PH                                                    

—Walk COLLEGE LANE, GROVE END & GROVE TERRACE

—SOUTHAMPTON ARMS PH
—PARLIAMENT FIELDS. Alongside HIGHGATE ROAD, then SWAIN’S LANE. Pretty area. Eateries. HAMPSTEAD HEATH. HAMPSTEAD and HIGHGATE, are very close.

—THE BULL AND LAST PH. Gastropub and guest rooms

Believe you me,

*CLERKENWELL is only 10 min. away on foot from  ST.PAUL’S CATHEDRAL.

After SMITHFIELD MARKET, BART’S HOSPITAL, ST.BARTHOLOMEW THE GREAT and the CHARTERHOUSE, and a few hidden awesome pubs that is up to you to discover (OK, walk CLOTH LANE)…

 

The MUSEUM OF LONDON is now to the West of the market buildings

 

Medieval St.JOHN’S GATE and remains of the Hospitallers church     

THE HOLLY TAVERN

ISLINGTON LOCAL  MUSEUM      

CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK. Every Spring

ST.JAMES’ CHURCH

MARX MEMORIAL LIBRARY

The well. Origin of the place and its name, fully explained 

EXMOUTH MARKET. More than a market

SADLER’S WELLS. More water?. Nope, a dance theatre

POSTAL MUSEUM

 

*ISLINGTON

HIGH STREET & CAMDEN PASSAGE. Old village. Antiques market. Shops & eateries. 
UPPER STREET. Again, eating and drinking. Live music in some pubs.

THE KING’S HEAD. The first pub-theatre 

Walk and cycle Islington GARDEN SQUARES

ESTORICK COLLECTION OF MODERN ITALIAN ART 

CANNONBURY TOWER 

UNION CHAPEL. Services and performances and charity

CHAPEL MARKET (weekdays)  + FARMERS’ MARKET (Sundays)

REGENT’S CANAL walk. And do not miss the pubs on the edge, like the PLAQUEMINE LOCK (Louisiana food) and the NARROWBOAT. And the ISLAND QUEEN, in NOEL RD.

Walk alongside. HIGHBURY FIELDS to THE HIGHBURY BARN TAVERN (enjoy a beer or any other food or drink in the eateries of the area  and, afterwards, discover what happened to the old Highbury stadium)

EMIRATES STADIUM

HOLLOWAY ROAD & SEVEN SISTERS ROAD/NAG’S HEAD area. Shops and eateries. Real London!.

Why not walking on up to UPPER  HALLOWAY and then on to HIGHGATE?. OK, you can take a bus as well

 

*FINSBURY PARK & STROUD GREEN. Shops and eateries. And the park!

Walk to HIGHGATE alongside the former railway line 

 

*MANOR HOUSE/HARINGEY-GREEN LANES. TURKISH COMMUNITY. Restaurants

I hope you will enjoy VISIT LONDON’S EAST END

and, as well,  ENJOY EAST LONDON

 

TWO ATTRACTIONS IN THEMSELVES: 

I suggest that you take a THAMES CLIPPER to any of the riverside destinations alongside its route… you will enjoy the experience!.

Or why not cycling or walking all the way from TOWER BRIDGE TO GREENWICH?. You only have to follow the THAMES PATH!.

*GREENWICH. A WORLD HERITAGE SITE

ROYAL OBSERVATORY,

MARITIME MUSEUM,

CUTTY SARK

OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE

THE TRAFALGAR TAVERN. Lovely beers. Lovely views

TRINITY HOSPITAL. Almshouses

THE CUTTY SARK PH

MARKETS, shops, restaurants

GODDARDS PIE & MASH

FAN  MUSEUM, and the rest of CROOMS HILL

ROYAL HILL area. Pretty and a couple of amazing pubs, plus ROYAL TEAS

ROYAL PARK and the WERNHER  ART COLLECTION at RANGER’S HOUSE

 

*NORTH GREENWICH

THE O2. Music, sport and entertainment venue

NOW GALLERY. Art, fashion, design

CABLE CAR to ROYAL DOCKS (CITY HALL, eateries, THAMES BARRIER PARK. Attention: the THAMES BARRIER visitor centre is near WOOLWICH)

GOLF RANGE

MEANWHILE BREWERY. Tours

 

*BLACKHEATH

THE VILLAGE. Shops & eateries

The HEATH. Lovely architecture and pubs fronting it

BLACKHEATH HALLS. Concerts 

 

LONDON BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM

*LEWISHAM 

 

*HITHER GREEN. My colleague MAX is a local there. Maybe he is keen to show you around…

 

*LADYWELL

 

 

*ROTHERHITHE VILLAGE

ST.MARY’S CHURCH

ST OLAF, NORWEGIAN CHURCH

BRUNEL MUSEUM

THE MAYFLOWER PH.

RUSSIA DOCK WOODLAND

 

*DEPTFORD

HIGH STREET. Street Market (Wed/Fri/Sat) shops and eateries. AFRICAN & CARIBBEAN restaurants 

ST.PAUL’S  CHURCH. Concerts

ST.NICHOLAS’S CHURCH. Medieval

 

*WOOLWICH

Street market, shops, eateries

ROYAL ARTILLERY MUSEUM. One of the oldest military museums

Former ROYAL ARSENAL site.

Former DOCKYARDS. Founded by HENRY VIII

WOOLWICH FREE FERRY to NORTH WOOLWICH

 

THAMES BARRIER. London's main defence against floods

 

*CHARLTON VILLAGE

CHARLTON HOUSE & GARDENS. Jacobean mansion (17th c.). Now the base of GREENWICH HERITAGE
CHARLTON Athletic FC

 

*ELTHAM

ELTHAM PALACE. Where the Middle Ages meet Art Deco

WELL HALL PLEASAUNCE. Old barn, connected to the Royal Palace 

 

*LONDON BOROUGH OF BEXLEY

*BEXLEY OLD VILLAGE

HALL PLACE & GARDENS

*BEXLEYHEATH

THE RED HOUSE. WILLIAM MORRIS

 

LESNES ABBEY WOODS. Nature & history

CROSSNESS PUMPING STATION. BAZALGETTE!

 

LONDON BOROUGH OF BROMLEY

*CHISLEHURST VILLAGE

CHISLEHURST CAVES

*ORPINGTON 

CROFTON ROMAN VILLA

*DOWNE

DOWN HOUSE. CHARLES DARWIN’ S HOME

When in London, not miss some of these up and coming and trendy destinations in SOUTH of the river. Shopping, eating and drinking, nature, history, art, night entertainment…

 

*BRIXTON

ELECTRIC AVENUE street market and indoor markets. Caribbean and world food shops and eateries 

BRIXTON STREET ART

BLACK CULTURAL ARCHIVES 

BROCKWELL PARK & HOUSE.

CHOCOLATE MUSEUM

WINDMILL

*HERNE HILL

Farmers market

Victorian village suburb. Shops and eateries 

HALF MOON PH

 

*CLAPHAM

OLD TOWN. Original village. Shops and eateries. And in the HIGH STREE, as well

The COMMON. Relaxing walks and cycling, café and music stand

 

THE WINDMILL PH & HOTEL. 

Walk or cycle across the COMMON  (or take a bus)  to NORTHCOTE ROAD. You won’t be disappointed. And why not continuing on  to CLAPHAM JUNCTION STATION?. You are now in BATTERSEA

Walk to ABBEVILLE ROAD. Lovely atmosphere, lovely eateries

HOLLY TRINITY CHURCH. The parish church Clapham Sect. And their opponents!

CLAPHAM SOUTH LU station: Visit a WAR DEEP LEVEL SHELTER

CLAPHAM COMMON LU station: this SHELTER is not open to the public 

 

*STOCKWELL

LITTLE PORTUGAL. SOUTH LAMBETH ROAD and WILCOX ROAD. Shops and eateries

VAN GOGH in LONDON.  HOUSE and CAFÉ

TYPE ARCHIVE.

 

From WILCOX ROAD you can walk to…

 

*NINE ELMS.

AMERICAN EMBASSY and new developments around

NEW COVENT GARDEN. Fruits and Vegetables wholesale Market

BATTERSEA POWER STATION and the new developments around 

BATTERSEA PARK 

From here, can you see the CHELSEA side?: you can easily walk, cycle or take a bus towards there. You have no……excuse…..whatsoever.

 

*PECKHAM

RYE LANE & RAILWAY ARCHES. Street market, shops and eateries

Walk the streets between RYE LANE and BELLENDEN ROAD, you won’t be disappointed 

Have a look at the  LIBRARY

By the Library begins the former course of the GRAND SURREY CANAL. You can follow it up to WANDSWORTH, alongside BURGESS PARK

COPELAND PARK. ROOFTOP CINEMA & BAR
BELLENDEN ROAD “VILLAGE”. Shops and eateries

PECKHAM RYE PARK & COMMON. Café

NUNHEAD CEMETERY. One of the “Seven Magnificent”

You might need a hotel. Now, look up closely, can you see the ROBIN RELIANT!.  DEL BOY is around!

 

*WALWORTH

London Borough of SOUTHWARK HERITAGE CENTRE & LIBRARY. Small exhibition

WALWORTH ROAD. Shops and eateries.

EAST LANE. Street market. African and Caribbean products.

Look up at that corner, see the plaque?: The birthplace of CHARLES CHAPLIN. Sure?

 

 

The ELEPHANT & CASTLE district (officially *ST.MARY’S NEWINGTON) is only a stone throw. But this is already  CENTRAL LONDON. Off the beaten track Central London, of course!. Find & enjoy the South-American eateries and shops,  and the new park and residential development

You are heading to the London Borough of LAMBETH

*LAMBETH

Why not walking to the IMPERIAL WORTH MUSEUM?. And  enjoy the GERALDINE MARY HARMSWORTH PARK, as well. TIBETAN GARDEN, BERLIN WALL, SOVIET MEMORIAL… are some  of the features.

Opposite, see, on the LAMBETH ROAD, beside the hospital, a beautiful stuccoed Regency terrace  and the former DISPENSARY. 
Take some time to inspect, WEST SQUARE, WALCOTT SQ. and ST.MARY’S GARDENS. And have a pint in THE SHIP PH.

After the visit, think about popping in the LBTC shop to book a cycle tour. Done that, THE GARDEN MUSEUM (former ST.MARY’S church), is only stone throw. Or you have in offer  the FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM at your fingertips… I forgot, you need some sustenance!: 

Have you seen, in LAMBETH RD., THE CORNER CAFÉ?.  THE HERCULES PH is another, very good, option.

To end the day in peace why not a visit to the LIBRARY at LAMBETH PALACE?. The 15th c. GATEHOUSE is around the corner, right beside the church-museum.

 

*VAUXHALL

Now, fancy walking alongside the ALBERT EMBANKMENT?. You will enjoy the views and the sights: the COVID 19 MEMORIAL WALL, the VIOLETTE SZABO & SOE MEMORIAL, LAMBETH BRIDGE, the INTERNATIONAL MEMORIAL TO SEAFARERS, the MEMORIAL TO BASAWESHBARA, the PORTUGUESE CAFÉS, and (almost) finally, the MI6 HQ, beside the VAUXHALL BRIDGE approach.

Now, what about an extra 15 min. walk, and you are going to discover una of London’s secret gems?. BONNINGTON SQUARE!.

Definetely, the VAUXHALL CITY FARM is a must, if you go have kids with you. Opposite, the 21rst century incarnation of the super famous VAUXHALL PLEASURE GARDENS of 300 years ago. Very famous, indeed, as “Vauxhalls” mushroomed in other parts of the World.

To cap it all, 2 art galleries nearby: DAMIEN HIRT’S NEWPORT STREET and BEACONSFIELD, an old RAGGED SCHOOL. In case you are art addict, here you have some more of the prestigious galleries in the area.

 

And that was *VAUXHALL. Do you know that half of “Vauxhall” is French?. Do you know how the Russians call a train station?.  The firs Vauxhall cars were manufactured in…

 

The BLACK DOG PH and the TEA HOUSE THEATRE are a couple of ideas to get some food. OK, two more (which have a CHARLES CHAPLIN twist): the JOLLY GARDENERS PH and the QUEEN’S HEAD CAFÉ. 

By the way, the unique CINEMA MUSEUM is not far away. It is is housed in what used to be premises of the WORKHOUSE, where lived for a while the great London actor and director… CHARLES CHAPLIN!. Outside,  the former magistrates’ court  is waiting for you: it is now a BUDDHIST CENTRE, with a beautiful COURTYARD CAFÉ.

 

*KENNINGTON

You are going to find fine eateries the KENNINGTON… just in case you were asking!.

You are going to find some more links to CHARLIE CHAPLIN, in KENNINGTON.

The plaque of his living, as a kid, with his dad (and mistress) in the Regency house of 287 KENNINGTON ROAD.

THE DOG HOUSE and THE WHITE HART (now THE TOMMYFIELD) were two public houses known to him (and, for sure, to his father, a performer in pubs, and an alcoholic). In between them, note the DURNING LIBRARY and the STINKY PIPE.

Behind the ST.ANSELM’s church, the estate used to belong entirely to the DUCHY OF CORNWALL. It is worth a look. The current Duke of Cornwall is, as well, the PRINCE OF WALES. The first one was the BLACK PRINCE. At the time, his palace used to occupy the site.

Walk CLEAVER ST, up to METHLEY ST. Another ChCh plaque. Do not miss THE CAMERA CLUB, foto gallery.

Back to CLEAVER ST., then pretty CLEAVER SQ, and enjoy another drink.

 

Exit leaving to your left the CITY & GUILDS OF LONDON SCHOOL OF ART, and head towards KENNINGTON PARK, leaving behind THE WHITE HART PH. 
Enjoy the PARK and its features, amongst them a lovely café. If coffee is not you cup of tea (and tea either), wait a couple of minutes.

 

Almost  200 years ago the CHARTISTS met here, in what used to be, the KENNINGTON COMMON. The area was barely built up. London was still circumscribed to the North of the Thames.

The huge red brick mole opposite the park, now a BUSINESS CENTRE, used to be, a 100 years ago, a huge TAXI GARAGE and offices, housing the London first big fleet of HACKNEY CARRIAGES.

 

 

Now you turn yours eyes to ST.MARK’S church. Beautiful. In the former churchyard, street food stalls during the week, Farmers market, on Saturdays.
The vicar MONTGOMERY was living in… the vicarage , of course. You are going to find the former rectory -OVAL HOUSE, until very recently the OVAL THEATRE- opposite THE OVAL (where the first international between England and Scotland was played; now  you look confused!).  Have a look to Georgian HANOVER GARDENS on your way there. The Georgian or Hanoverian kings.

OVAL HOUSE. Look up. Rector MONTGOMERY’S  son, was born here and would go on to become a war hero: the famous FIELD MARSHALL. Known as well as MONTY OF EL ALAMEIN.

And THE OVAL is famous for cricket, of course.

You can walk the CLAPHAM ROAD towards STOCKWELL. If you divert towards elegant ALBERT SQUARE you are heading to LITTLE PORTUGAL, passing the CANTON ARMS PH. 

Remember, I was promising you something,  “a couple of minutes” ago.  You fancied a drink… there you are: make your way to MONTFORD PLACE, 10 min. away, where you are going to find the BEEFEATER’S DISTILLERY, a quintaessencially London institution. “Beefeater” comes from the French “buffetier”.

 

 

If you walk the BRIXTON ROAD, observe the former CHILDREN’S hospital, especially when you are on the other side of the RD. And 

Alongside the road, you are going to find some interesting eateries, like the POLISH delicatessen,the SCALABRINI FATHERS AND HOLY REDEEMER church, another ChCh plaque (when here, he left his flat and his half brother and departed to America) and, finally,  the VAN GOGH CAFE, part of a most beautiful church, CHRISTCHURCH,  Anglo-Catholic.

 

You are now 10 min. away from one of the Dutch painter’s addresses during the time when he lived in STOCKWELL and London (working in an art gallery in COVENT GARDEN). This one is open to the public. A few yards away, the pretty VAN GOGH WALK.

You are very close to the TYPE ARCHIVE. STOCKWELL LU STA. is surrounded by an interesting cluster of shops and eateries.
STOCKWELL ROAD, towards BRIXTON, is lined by a few PORTUGUESE cafés.

Do not miss the  MURAL, decorating the ventilation shaft of the DEEP SHELTER, the first statue IN LONDON to an AFRICO-CARIBBEAN WOMAN, and the magnificent BUS GARAGE.

 

 

 

After the diversion towards LAMBETH, VAUXHALL and KENNINGTON an STOCKWELL, remember that you were in WALWORTH.

The “WAL” of the name might be related to the WELSH (Celtic people).

 

Next destination is CAMBERWELL.  That “CAMBER”… yes, you’ve got it!: it relates to WALES, that is CYMRU, in their beautiful Celtic language!.

 

*CAMBERWELL

DENMARK HILL &  PECKHAM RD. Shops and eateries 

Two historical medical institutions in DENMARK HILL: KING’S COLLEGE and MAUDSLEY hospitals. They contain some interesting buildings.

Almost top of the hill, the WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE, housing part of the HERITAGE CENTRE of the SALVATION ARMY. At the entrance, the original statues of CATHERINE and WILLIAM, reproduced in. MILE EN WASTE. where the SA has its origins.

 

When re descending, walk CAMBERWELL GROVE, an 18th c. street.

LOVE WALK, immediately before the churchyard, takes you to some lovely eateries.

A little further down, THE GROVE TAVERN.

 

ST. GILES’S CHURCH. A GILBERT SCOTT church (but not GILES).

Alongside PECKHAM RD., the SOUTH LONDON GALLERY.

You can walk on Southbound towards BURGESS PARK

 

 

 

*DULWICH VILLAGE

If you are coming from/going to HERNE HILL and BROCKWELL PARK do not miss the only venue from the 1948 OLYMPICS  that have survived: the VELODROME.
And the BURBAGE MURAL!.

Shops and eateries. And THE pub.

DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY. Paintings and a lovely café. And a mausoleum (what?). And a red phone booth!

COLLEGE OF GOD’S GIFT. Almshouses

DULWICH COLLEGE buildings and the last private  toll

DULWICH PARK. As usual with a few amenities, including artworks, bikes and a café.

After exiting DULWICH PARK you can:

—-head to LORDSHIP LANE and EAST DULWICH. Shops and eateries. Then to PECKAM.

—walk along COX’S WALK to CRYSTAL PALACE 

— walk to…

 

HORNIMAN MUSEUM and GARDENS. Anthropology is the main topic. We own it to the tea magnate

 

*CRYSTAL PALACE
Villagey Victorian suburb. Shopping and eating along  CENTRAL HILL, and amazing views

MUSEUM. All About “the” Crystal Palace

The PARK and its DINOSAURS. Now, you can skip the queues to visit the NHM!. 

 

 

From here bus route 3 takes you to CENTRAL LONDON