Thank the pioneers of Garden Cities for this walk.
To begin, the Dollis Brook beckons as its valley deepens and narrows. Just off what they termed ‘the babbling brook’ a co-partnership society in 1908 imagined a garden village nestled round a green.
And it’s still nestling today beside the gentle slope of Windsor Open Space. Beyond is London’s mightiest road clash – it’s a hundred years since the A1 and the North Circular first collided. Hardly noticing, you glide beneath the melée led by the Mutton brook. It’s worth a pause though to reflect on how this ‘arterial road mania’ of the 1920s shaped London. Pass on, seamlessly merging into the thick hedges of Hampstead’s Garden suburb, the Little Wood parting to reveal its secret outdoor theatre space. Big Wood follows, opening into the centre of Henrietta Barnet’s 1900s vision.
It’s imposing, with the great architect Edwin Lutyens helping bring the idea to life with the churches and school and surrounding terraces. There’s overall unity with individual variety; there’s urban structure with a rural feel. What better way to finish than by walking out of the Garden Suburb onto its parterre with the expanse of Hampstead Heath ahead.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
ant –
Whether doing one or fourteen walks Charlie is there to welcome each person and is able to provide new information/ stories on each walk even though there are a couple of common themes throughout. Well done Charlie. This afternoon took us into more built up areas though we still managed to keep off road most of the time. The advantage of these walks and especially when with a great guide – is seeing / finding things that I would never have found myself and hearing the story of how something came about. Also that some things never change – planning – finance – local objections – open space…..
A B A –
Section 4 of the Ultimate London Walk in September 2026.
We are getting closer to the London we imagine, yet with very little pavement walking. It was interesting to learn about the impact of rising car ownership on London and how historical road planning errors continue to affect the city today. Remarkably, within 10 minutes of being next to a major London road, we were guided into a peaceful woodland oasis. This truly demonstrates the thoughtful design behind these linked walks.
The pre-walk information was excellent. The detailed email regarding meeting points, potential toilet stops, and terrain made it easy to prepare and pack appropriately. Additionally, the group size was ideal, allowing everyone to hear clearly while encouraging us to walk at our own pace.
Finally, our guide, Charlie, was outstanding—attentive, knowledgeable, and open to input from the group.
Margaret –
I highly recommend this walk! Charlie is incredibly knowledgeable, making the experience both informative and engaging. You’ll explore peaceful forests and green spaces you wouldn’t expect to find in London, making this walk a unique experience for both locals and visitors alike.
The final stretch takes you through Hampstead Garden Suburb, featuring architecturally significant homes and churches designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. The walk concludes at the Hampstead Heath Extension — a perfect and fitting end to a fascinating journey.
I’m looking forward to continuing this adventure with walk #5!