On Sunday 9th July, five of us met up at Paddington railway station for a seven-mile semi-urban walk in London. Leaving the station from the northern exit, we emerged by the Paddington Basin, which could be described as a canal cul-de-sac.
Following the tow-path westward, we soon reached Little Venice, a triangle of water at the junction of the basin, the Grand Union Canal and the Regents Canal. Here there were permanently moored barges containing cafés and a puppet theatre. We took the Regents Canal branch, heading north-east. We followed the tow-path until we reached a locked gate, where we then had to follow the canal on the pavement of Bromfield Road.
As the canal disappeared into the Maida Hill Tunnel, we took an urban route along (relatively) quiet roads before crossing (a rather busy) Lisson Avenue and rejoining the canal towpath. We were now somewhere between Lords cricket ground and Regents Park, although we could see either of them at this point. Following the canal in a large arc across the northern edge of Regents Park, we were able to some warthogs in London Zoo, on the other side of the canal.
We reached the Cumberland Basin, where a floating Chinese restaurant was moored and the canal took a left turn. After a little longer on the towpath, we reached Camden Lock and its wonderful market. Stopping here for an hour, we fitted in lunch, a look around, and a quick drink at the Ice Wharf canal-side pub.
Leaving the canal behind, it was roadside walking until we reached the edge of Hampstead Heath. We followed a well-trodden footpath up Parliament Hill, from where we could see plenty of recognisable London landmarks.
Descending to Hampstead Ponds, where there were bathers enjoying the warm weather, we exited the park, not too far from where we'd entered it. We then made our way to the Freemason's Arms pub for another drink, sitting outside in the warm sunshine.
It was just a short walk to Hampstead Heath railway station, where we said our goodbyes and made our way home. See our route on Google Maps.
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