Start by solving the riddle. How did the curse of Tutankhamun trigger the birth of Woodside Park? (And it did.) Trading on the Garden Suburb idea the Park is still truly Woodside. Its Folly Brook leads to the green lane which still weaves through the old field pattern towards two clusters of farm buildings – now stabling. Frith Manor Farm equestrian centre has a long equine history – one time rest home for milk delivery horses, one time venue for steeplechases.
Bittacy Farm was not so lucky. It surrendered to the Mill Hill barracks. Built to counter army deficiencies revealed by the Boer War in turn the barracks have given way to an attractive neighbourhood of new homes. From here Lovers Lane sounds irresistible. Turn down it on the driveway of Nether Hall a great pile built by the Victorian entrepreneur who put elasticated clothing on the market. Home to Finchley Golf Club for the last century, it’s a preserved period piece.
However, if you want to do a bit of loving on the lane, it may be overlooked from the links. Finally we rejoin (from Section 2) the Dollis Brook, its valley now deep enough to demand one of London’s most magnificent viaducts which brings the Northern Line into Mill Hill East.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
N,B. On the Wednesday Ann will be joining as a second guide
Sam Jacobs –
Excellent walk finding hidden lanes and streams in the area where I live but haven’t visited before. What a great experience and walk. Highly recommended
Patricia Pledger –
Walks 3 & 4 today were just as enjoyable as the first two last week as we passed through more woods and fields, observed the amazing Northern Line viaduct, Finchley Golf Club housed in a beautiful (Arts & Crafts?) mansion in which we were allowed a peak and Hampstead Garden Suburb was a treat – beautiful Lutyens architecture set in peaceful roads with delightful gardens and all this between Woodside Park and Mill Hill East and onward to Golders Green. Charlie’s stories and knowledge, of course, entertained us all day. Looking forward to more.
john mcclintock –
Charlie is THE walking encyclopedia of London. Walking with him is a most pleasant education.
Dorothy MacDonald –
More surprises in Sections 3&4 with fascinating stories behind them. What delights will unfold as we pursue the rest of the route through the centre and onwards to London’s southern boundary? Thanks to Charlie for all the research and hard work that’s gone into such a great walk.
Margaret –
Even if you missed the first two sections of the Ultimate London Walk, don’t hesitate to jump in at Walk #3 — you won’t be disappointed! This walk has it all: forests, green spaces, farms, Shetland ponies, horses, an interior visit to what is now the Finchley Golf Club, the magnificent viaduct pictured above, and more. Charlie does a fantastic job of tying it all together, sharing fascinating details he’s uncovered through newspaper archives and other sources. I highly recommend this walk — it’s a memorable and engaging experience from start to finish.
Tessa P –
I walked sections 1 and 2 of the Ultimate London Walk on 6 September – what an eye opener! We walked along footpaths and alleyways discovering ancient woodland, hayfields that serviced the hungry horses that powered London and which look more rural than most fields in the countryside, saw village greens and village ponds and encompassing all this discovered how the development of London shaped the settlements on its edge. Charlie is such a knowledgable and entertaining guide we were thoroughly absorbed. It was surprising to come across so many green spaces tucked into thriving residential areas and understand how they were used and why so many are still there. I’m looking forward to sections 3 and 4!