Rolling hills between Pishill and Maidensgrove

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Start & Finish: Parking spot opposite Russell’s Water Village Hall, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 6ES
Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 166m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Oxfordshire Way, Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Just off: The Five Horseshoes (just off route at 8.2 km in)
Map: Chiltern Hills West Map | Henley-on-Thames & Wallingford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 171
Links: Russell’s Water, Pishill, Maidensgrove

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For our latest Chiltern Walk we returned to the Oxfordshire Way. This is a 66 mile long-distance path connecting Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds with Henley-on-Thames. Our plan is to start with the Chilterns section, taking it on in short circular walks of around 10km. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

The route starts at in the small village of Russell’s Water where there’s some parking spots opposite the village hall. Take the road to the south-east of the village hall, passing the duck pond and then a left the Chiltern Way, following it in a northerly direction.

Continue along the Chiltern Way for ~3km following the large white arrows painted onto trees. Make sure you keep to the main Chiltern Way path though as some of the arrows also point to side paths. When you hit Patemore Lane the Chiltern Way takes a left on the road then a right into the woods. Rather than taking the road you can cross straight over and take a steep path up the woods to cut this corner and avoid the road.

At around 3km from Russell’s Water you’ll meet a path junction with the Oxfordshire Way. Leave the Chiltern Way here and take a right onto the Oxfordshire Way. If you reach Hollandridge Farm on the Chiltern Way you’ll have gone too far.

Continue south along the Oxfordshire Way, through Pishill, until you meet the Chiltern Way again just south of Maidensgrove. Follow the Chiltern way in a north-westerly direction. You’ll meet Maidensgrove and Russell’s Water Common where you’ll follow the edge of the road until you reach a small group of houses on the right of the road. If you need a rest the Five Horseshoes pub is among these houses.

Here you have a choice to continue along the road back to Russell’s Water or, as we did, take a path around the back (east side) of the houses, and through the woods back to the start.

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Shakespeare’s Way Previous Section (north): Nettlebed, Park Corner and Maidensgrove
Shakespeare’s Way Next Section (south): Stonor and Turville Heath (blog post coming soon)

Oxfordshire Way Previous Section (south): Middle Assendon, Bix and Crocker End
Oxfordshire Way Next Section (north): Christmas Common, Watlington Hill and Greenfield

Ightham Mote

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Start & Finish: One Tree Hill Car Park, Carter's Hill, Sevenoaks, TN15 0SN
Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 197m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Greensand Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Ightham Mote National Trust Cafe
Map: Sevenoaks & Tonbridge Map | Royal Tunbridge Wells & Westerham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 147
Links: One Tree Hill National Trust, Ightham Mote National Trust, Shipbourne, Underriver

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This is a great short circular walk in the Kent Downs. We used the free National Trust parking area near One Tree Hill, although the larger National Trust car park (free to members) at Ightham Mote is an alternative. There’s some steep parts and it can be very muddy in winter or after rain so wear good boots.

From the parking area at One Tree Hill cut through the woods, following paths in a south-easterly direction, to the top of the hill and the view-point to the south. Here you’ll reach the Greensand Way which you’ll follow in a east / south-easterly direction for 5 km.

After 3km on the Greensand Way you’ll reach the Ightham Mote National Trust Estate. If you’ve got time, it’s well worth stopping for an hour to visit the house and gardens. Even if you don’t have time to enter you can visit the café which can be accessed from the path at the south of the estate without having to pay to enter.

When you leave Ightham Mote you’ll continue along the Greensand Way, now heading south. After 2km you’ll reach the Church of St Giles at Shipbourne. Here you’ll leave the Greensand Way and take a footpath heading west across fields and into a wooded area called Cold Blows. Half way into the woods take a left hand path, heading south-west towards Mote Road. Cross over the road and continue along the paths heading west to Underriver.

When you reach Underriver, take a right onto Carter’s Hill road, then a left onto the lane opposite the turning to Underriver House Road. Continue up this lane in a north-westerly direction for ~400m then take a path heading north. This is a steep climb for another 400m back up to the Greensand Way. Take a right onto the Greensand Way and follow it to Carter’s Hill road. You can either follow Carter’s Hill road back to the One Tree Hill parking area or the parallel footpath through the woods to the right of the road.

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The path near the River Mole to the Semaphore Tower

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Start & Finish: Holly Hedge Car Park, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, KT11 3DQ
Distance: 9.6 km (6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 67m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): The Semaphore Line
Pubs / Cafes on route: Caffè Capital near the car park. Lots of others on Cobham High Street. None on the route
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Cobham, Chatley Heath, Optical Telegraph, Ockham, Downside, Explore Surrey - Discover Downside

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This was our latest of the Surrey County Council (SCC) Walks and a visit to the north side of the Surrey Hills. The Explore Surrey leaflet contains all of the directions, so I’ve not included them here. Instead, here’s a few other things to note.

• There’s no pubs or cafes on the route, but several in Cobham Town Centre. We liked Caffè Capital near the car park.

• If you take your own food there’s several picnic tables by the Semaphore Tower. The Tower is the best preserved example of a series of semaphore towers that linked The Admiralty in London with Portsmouth Dockyard. See my post on Cycling The Semaphore Line for more on this.

• The route can be VERY muddy. We went in early January after a lot of rain. The main muddy spots are the fields next to the River Mole near the start, the footpath behind the houses at May’s Green and Old Oak Common Woods. Wear good boots.

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The London Borough Tri-Points are the points where 3 of the 32 Greater London Boroughs meet. In an earlier post I showcased the the excellent work of David Natzler who visited and documented the tri-points in 2020 and 2021. David’s travels took him to the tri-points of all of the boroughs except for those that meet in the River Thames and those with the City of London. I have visited the 7 tri-points with The City later on a City of London Boundary Walk and I plan to visit the 14 tripoints that are in the centre of the River Thames. Rather than get a boat or swim I’ll be OK with getting as close as possible on one side of the river to get a photo.

When I get to visiting the Tri-Points this post will describe them in more detail. For now, here’s what I’ve found from desktop research only. Contact me or comment below if you have any input or corrections and I’ll donate £1 to one of my Causes.

The 14 Greater London Borough Tri-Points in the River Thames.

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(1) Hounslow / Richmond-upon-thames / hammersmith & Fulham

North-east of Chiswick Eyot between Chiswick Mall on the north bank and St Paul’s School on the south bank.

Coordinates: 51°29'16.4"N 0°14'36.2"W
Nearest Station: Hammersmith (District Line, Piccadilly): 1.6 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Hounslow, Richmond upon Thames, Hammersmith and Fulham

 

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(2) Richmond-upon-thames / hammersmith & Fulham/Wandsworth

Between the confluence with the Beverley Brook on the south bank and Fielders Meadow on the north bank.

Coordinates: 51°28'20.4"N 0°13'18.3"W
Nearest Station: Putney Bridge (District Line): 1.3 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Richmond upon Thames, Hammersmith and Fulham, Wandsworth

 

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(3) hammersmith & Fulham/Wandsworth/ Kensington & Chelsea

Between the confluence with the Chelsea Creek on the north bank and St. Mary’s Church Battersea on the south bank.

Coordinates: 51°28'39.3"N 0°10'40.0"W
Nearest Station: Imperial Wharf (Overground / Southern): 0.5 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Hammersmith and Fulham, Wandsworth, Kensington and Chelsea

 

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(4) Wandsworth/ Kensington & Chelsea / Westminster

In the middle of the Chelsea Bridge.

Coordinates: 51°29'04.4"N 0°08'59.4"W
Nearest Station: Battersea Power (Northern): 1 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Wandsworth, Kensington and Chelsea, City of Westminster

 

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(5) Wandsworth / Westminster/ Lambeth

South-west of Vauxhall Bridge between the Grosvenor Pub on the north bank and Riverside Gardens on the south bank.

Coordinates: 51°29'09.2"N 0°07'46.2"W
Nearest Station: Vauxhall (South Western): 0.5 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Wandsworth, City of Westminster, Lambeth

 

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(6) Westminster/ Lambeth / City of London

Between east end of HQS Wellington (north-side) and The London Studios (south-side).

Coordinates: 51°30'35.5"N 0°06'33.1"W
Nearest Station: Temple (Circle, District) : 0.3 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: City of Westminster, Lambeth, City of London

 

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(7) Lambeth / City of London / Southwark

Between Inner Temple Gardens (north-side) and west end of the Oxo Building (south-side).

Coordinates: 51°30'35.2"N 0°06'41.3"W
Nearest Station: Temple (Circle, District): 0.4 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Lambeth, City of London, Southwark

 

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(8) City of London / Southwark / Tower Hamlets

Between west end of Millennium Pier (north-side) and east end of HMS Belfast (south-side).

Coordinates: 51°30'24.7"N 0°04'48.7"W
Nearest Station: Tower Hill (Circle, District): 0.3 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: City of London, Southwark, Tower Hamlets

 

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(9) Southwark / Tower Hamlets / Lewisham

Between the river entrance to Surrey Quays on the south/west bank and Millwall Outer Dock on the north/east bank.

Coordinates: 51°29'36.6"N 0°01'48.4"W
Nearest Station: Surrey Quays (Overground): 1.3 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham

 

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(10) Tower Hamlets / Lewisham /Greenwich

Between the Master Shipwright’s House on the south bank and Masthouse Terrance Pier on the north bank.

Coordinates: 51°29'12.4"N 0°01'24.4"W
Nearest Station: Deptford (Thameslink, southeastern): 0.8 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Greenwich

 

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(11) Tower Hamlets / Greenwich / Newham

Between the O2 on the south bank and the confluence with the River Lea on the north bank.

Coordinates: 51°30'19.8"N 0°00'27.5"E
Nearest Station: North Greenwich (Jubilee): 0.8 km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Tower Hamlets, Greenwich, Newham

 

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(12) Greenwich / Newham/ Barking & Dagenham

Between West Lake, Thamesmead on the south bank and the confluence with the River Roding on the north bank.

Coordinates: 51°30'43.0"N 0°05'58.8"E
Nearest Station: Abbey Wood (Elizabeth Line, Thameslink, southeastern): 3.5 km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Greenwich, Newham, Barking & Dagenham

 

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(13) Greenwich/ Barking & Dagenham/ bexley

Between Marlborough Care Home on the south bank and Barking Riverside Pier on the North Bank

Coordinates: 51°30'48.9"N 0°07'05.9"E
Nearest Station: Barking Riverside (Overground): 0.5 km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Greenwich, Barking & Dagenham, Bexley

 

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(14) Barking & Dagenham/ bexley / Havering

Between Riverside Resource Recovering on the south bank and the confluence with the Beam River on the north bank.

Coordinates: 51°30'31.5"N 0°09'28.4"E
Nearest Station: Belvedere (southeastern): 3.7 km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Havering

 

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More London Adventures:

• City of London Boundary Walk

• LonDone: Completing all Greater London parkruns

• Greater London High Points

• London's Coal Duty Posts

• London's Protected Views

• Walking The London Loop and Capital Ring

• Cycling London's Capital Ring

• Cycling The London Loop

In addition to the usual Zwift Route and Achievement Badges there’s 12 Extra Credit Badges. These don’t appear in your Badges screen until you’ve received them and they’re typically tougher to get than the standard badges. The Everested! Badge is awarded when you’ve climbed 29,029 ft / 8,848m in a single activity. Most people do it by riding up and down Alpe du Zwift on the Watopia Road To Sky route 8 and a half times.

As with the IRL Everesting Challenge, it’s generally understood that you need to complete it within 24 hours. As days got shorter in Autumn 2021 I wondered whether it was possible to get the badge in a single activity but not in 24 hours. I didn’t have the time or enthusiasm to spend a whole day in the saddle but I did have 30 -60 minutes each day in-between work. This would mean doing it over multiple days but not ending or saving the activity in between.

When I set out I wasn’t sure whether Zwift would award me the badge, but I didn’t see why not. My main concern was about having a power cut during the challenge and losing all the progress. Just to be safe I made a note of progress at the end of each day so I could at least add the distance and elevation to my Garmin account if I lost it all.

As it turned out I had a busy time at work so I only had 30 minutes in the saddle on most days. Still, it was good exercise and I was making progress but it did take about a month to get to the target distance. I was very pleased when the Achievement Unlocked banner came up and I get my badge.

The only snag was that the activity didn’t save properly. When I checked my Zwift Activities log, it wasn’t there, so the total distance and elevation were not saved. The badge was there though which was the main thing I was interested in. I was having Wi-Fi issues at the time so that may have been the cause. I reported it to Zwift Support but they’re not able to manually add in missing progress. It’s a shame as it was a lot of distance and elevation to lose, but certainly nothing to lose sleep over.

I’m sure that some will say that it’s a cheat to not complete it in 24 hours. Am I bothered? Not in the slightest …

For how to do it the proper way, see this article on vEveresting from Ron Chatfield

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MORE ZWIFTERY

• Alpe du Zwift Tracker

• Breaking 100 Kph in Zwift

• Zwift Watopia and (not)parkrun Mash-up

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David with his completed collection.

The London Borough Tri-Points are the points where 3 of the 32 Greater London Boroughs meet. Have you ever wondered where they are and got the inspiration to visit them all? Probably not, but it has been done! This post is based on the excellent work of David Natzler who visited and documented the tri-points in 2020 and 2021. Descriptions and photos are all from David with some formatting, references and graphics from myself. I love David’s idea of the oak sprig in the vase to represent the boundary oak.

David’s travels took him to the tri-points of all of the boroughs except for those that meet in the River Thames and those with the City of London. I visited the 7 tri-points with The City later on a City of London Boundary Walk.

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(1) The Oaks – Bexley/Bromley/Greenwich

A bleak spot on the A 20 Sidcup by-pass, marked by a speed camera and a Welcome to Greenwich sign. But right on the border is the suitably named The Oaks, a home for dementia sufferers. Over the fence in Bexley is Mr Mulligan’s Mini Golf, one of a chain of a dozen such venues in England offering family crazy golf, outsize plastic balls in a landscape dominated by weirdly coloured plastic dinosaurs and small crashed aeroplanes.   

Coordinates: 51°25'55.1"N 0°04'31.2"E
Nearest Station: New Eltham (southeastern): 1 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich

 

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(2) The Cooling Centre – Bromley/Greenwich/Lewisham

Winn Road, the Greenwich/ Lewisham frontier ends in a pleasant green space with chestnut trees. Over the Quaggy stream are the leafy hills of Mottingham in Bromley, including WG Grace’s villa. Beside the tripoint is the Winn Road National Grid cooling establishment. It cools the water around the 350,000 volt main electricity supply cable which runs underground here. Hence the genuine Danger of Death warning on the railings.

Coordinates: 51°26'30.2"N 0°01'45.7"E
Nearest Station: Mottingham (southeastern): 1.9 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham

 

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(3) Paxton Corner – Bromley/Lewisham/Southwark

Where the roads up from Sydenham in Lewisham, and Penge in Bromley, breast the ridge of Sydenham Hill, the westward slopes of which are in Southwark. The old brick wall and metal posts are all that is left of Rockhills, the London home of Sir Joseph Paxton, who designed the palace of glass for the 1851 Great Exhibition down in Hyde Park and then oversaw its re-erection on the Sydenham ridge. The two ancient Lewisham parish markers sit below a splendid oak tree, probably a real boundary oak. 

This tri-point is roughly half way between the highest points in Lambeth (Westow Hill) and Southwark/Lewisham (Sydenham Hill). It’s a ~1 mile walk along the A212 and Sydenham Hill road, via the tri-point between the 2 high points.

Coordinates: 51°25'34.2"N 0°04'26.2"W
Nearest Station: Gipsy Hill (southern): 1.5 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Bromley, Lewisham, Southwark

 

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(4) Café corner – Bromley/Lambeth/Southwark

Southwark and Lambeth march up Farquhar Road: below the precipice of Crystal Palace Parade was the pinnacled Crystal Palace upper station, specially built to access the palace by a subway under the road. The subway survives but not the station, or the railway, painted further down the track at Lordship Lane by Camille Pissarro. There are two continental cafes here, Café Paradou and Café St Germain.

This tri-point is less than 100m from Westow Hill, the highest point in the London Borough of Lambeth.

Coordinates: 51°25'14.2"N 0°04'42.0"W
Nearest Station: Crystal Palace (southern): 0.6 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Bromley, Lambeth, Southwark

 

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(5) The Vicar’s Oak – Bromley/Croydon/Lambeth

Croydon takes over from Bromley once the park ends. The park has a Boundaries Gate in honour of the meeting here in times gone by of four parish boundaries. In 2018 the stump of an old oak was installed, together with a panel about parish boundaries, beating the bounds and the Vicar’s Oak which once stood here. It is [so far] the only tripoint monument in London, and it is therefore a special place. 

This tri-point is at Westow Hill, the highest point in the London Borough of Lambeth. 

Coordinates: 51°25'12.0"N 0°04'42.7"W
Nearest Station: Crystal Palace (southern): 0.5 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth

 

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(6) The Inaccessible Graveney Triangle – Lambeth/Merton/Wandsworth

Railway lines forking beyond protective fencing, in a world of allotments, and the hidden river Graveney. The railway signs help mark the spot, which can at least be glimpsed by enthusiasts from the windows of trains between Streatham and either Tooting or Mitcham Eastfields. 

Coordinates: 51°25'09.3"N 0°08'25.4"W
Nearest Station: xxx
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Lambeth, Merton, Wandsworth

 

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(7)Streatham Races – Croydon/Lambeth/Merton

Still in Graveney country, now in Norbury, where the back gardens of Woodmansterne Road separate  Merton from Lambeth.  There is a well concealed open space in Merton behind a locked gate, once the site of the short-lived and disorderly Streatham racecourse on Lonesome Farm. This led to the installation of ramps for horses at the new Norbury station, and then to the 1879 Racecourse Licensing Act which bore down on courses less than 10 miles from the centre of London. Pity….

Coordinates: 51°24'44.4"N 0°07'39.9"W
Nearest Station: Norbury (southern): 0.5 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Croydon, Lambeth, Merton

 

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(8)Mitcham Common Gateway – Croydon/Merton/Sutton

Between Croydon’s Beddington sewage works and derelict hand car wash sites lies the unexpected joy of Mitcham Common, looked after by Conservators. It has suffered from gravel extraction and waste disposal: but it offers ponds with ducks, covered reservoirs, sandy paths, a golf course, and a tramway with bright green silent trams. Near the tripoint is a fine white high vehicle gateway leading to nowhere.

Coordinates: 51°23'27.1"N 0°08'03.7"W
Nearest Station: Beddington Lane (tram): 0.6 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Croydon, Merton, Sutton

 

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(9) Beverly Brook 1 – Kingston/Richmond/Wandsworth

A few hundred yards north of no 10, by way of the Robin Hood Gate to Richmond Park, is the border with Richmond, where two little bridges cross the Beverly Brook as it emerges from beneath the A3: a footbridge leading to the new golf clubhouse and a weir, to catch old footballs and supermarket trolleys rather than salmon. 

Coordinates: 51°26'14.2"N 0°15'14.7"W
Nearest Station: Barnes (southwestern): 3.7 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Wandsworth

 

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(10) Beverly Brook 2 - Kingston/ Merton/ Wandsworth

By the banks of the Beverly Brook – a brook for beavers but no longer, and London’s best boundary stream  – is an 1861 parish boundary stone, overhung and surrounded by the oaks of Wimbledon Common, which could be known as Wimbledon Forest: this tripoint is one of the most attractive and one of the hardest to pinpoint. The track alongside the brook is used by cyclists and pedestrians and mounted rangers.

Coordinates: 51°25'57.2"N 0°15'03.9"W
Nearest Station: Wimbledon (southwestern, Thameslink): 3.7 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Wandsworth

 

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(11) Beverly Brook 3 – Kingston/ Merton/Sutton

Upstream from No 10, still on the edges of the brook, but here heavily channelled and overlooked by two gasometers on the Kingston side, within a beautiful piece of preserved woodland. The wood and adjoining playing fields in Merton were given to the public by local magnate and MP Sir Joseph Hood. Hood made his money with British American Tobacco, but the air here is clean, despite the littering, and the wood is full of birdsong. 

Coordinates: 51°23'21.4"N 0°14'23.0"W
Nearest Station: Motspur Park (South Western): 0.9 km
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia: Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Sutton

 

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(12) Bulls Bridge – Ealing/Hillingdon/Hounslow

The Grand Union Canal’s Paddington branch starts here, miles of canal-boats and waterfowl and the backsides of commercial estates. The tripoint is where the canals meet, at Bulls Bridge where the Grand Union Canal heads west. The delightful towpath along the Paddington branch is the border between Ealing and Hillingdon: past the Blair Peach school named after the young New Zealander killed by a policeman during an April 1979 anti-National Front demonstration. 

Coordinates: 51°29'58.8"N 0°24'25.0"W
Nearest Station: Hayes & Harlington (GWR, Elizabeth Line): 1.6km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow

 

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(13) Northolt Mandeville - Ealing/Harrow/Hillingdon

In Northolt, by the railway lines and in the shadow of the Solid Waste Transfer Station to the west between the tracks. Northolt is of course famous for its aerodrome, where 32 Squadron The Queen’s Flight is based: memorably, the flight carrying the body of Lady Diana back from Paris landed there back in 1997. But it also has roots in the Domesday Book and the local government ward is named for the local Norman grandee who was Constable of the Tower of London. 

Coordinates: 51°33'17.9"N 0°22'40.3"W
Nearest Station: Northolt Park (Chiltern Railways): 1.6km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon

 

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(14) Sudbury Hill – Brent/Ealing/Harrow

The tripoint is a tiny step from one of the classic 1930s London Underground stations designed by Charles Holden: Pevsner notes “how satisfying …such unpretentious buildings can be”. Harrow on the Hill is just beyond, a much more challenging hill than Sudbury Hill for cyclists or pedestrians, with the added interest of the school buildings of Harrow School: “hearty and confident gloom”, to quote Pevsner again. The area is alive with railway lines going off in all directions.

This Tri-point is 1.3 km from the high point of the London Borough of Brent. See the blog post Walking The Capital Ring: Harrow on the Hill to Horsenden Hill for details.

Coordinates: 51°33'23.6"N 0°20'08.1"W
Nearest Station: Sudbury Hill (Piccadilly Line): <100m
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Brent, Ealing, Harrow

 

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(15) Burnt Oak Corner – Barnet/Brent/Harrow

On Watling Street. A foodshop called Neam Bucovinean next to the Gormandu traditional Romanian restaurant suggest a local concentration of Europeans from the frontiers of the EU. The first ever Tesco store was near here. The area is called Burnt Oak, one of several post-war LCC cottage housing estates. The vase in the photograph is empty in homage to the hint in that name of a phantom boundary oak.

Coordinates: 51°36'01.3"N 0°16'01.7"W
Nearest Station: Burnt Oak (Northern Line): 300m
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Barnet, Brent, Harrow

 

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(16) Emlyn Corner - Ealing/Hammersmith and Fulham/Hounslow

Contrasting cultures meet here: on one hand the leafy roads of Bedford Park and Turnham Green, where the Trained Bands turned back King Charles in the Civil War, but now endowed with Royalist street names - Queen Anne, Rupert, Woodstock, Blenheim; and on the other Acton, where the Emlyn Gardens estate boasts blocks delightfully named for Greater London’s rivers, including the Beverly, the Lea and the Roding, all of which host tripoints. 

Coordinates: 51°30'05.1"N 0°15'11.1"W
Nearest Station: Stamford Brook (District Line): 1km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow

 

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(17) Welcome to Harlesden – Brent/Ealing/Hammersmith and Fulham

Willesden Junction is a desert of railway tracks requiring two separate bridges to cross the local lines and the West Coast Main line, and then lead south into Ealing and the calm of the Paddington Branch of the Union Canal. There is an official Brent noticeboard inscribed “Welcome to Harlesden.” Harlesden is the home of Digestives and Hobnobs. Welcome indeed.

Coordinates: 51°31'57.8"N 0°14'46.7"W
Nearest Station: Willesden Junction (Overground): 140m
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham

 

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(18) By Way of Kensal Green – Brent/Hammersmith and Fulham/Kensington and Chelsea

There is a Brazilian steakhouse and the promise of Sunrise Brazilian hair in Brent, opposite the Anglican chapel and the entrance to the Roman Catholic part of the massive Kensal Green cemetery, and above the Kensal Green railway tunnels: a faintly disturbing juxtaposition. “For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen, Before we go to Paradise by way of Kensal Green”. 

This tri-point is also at the highpoint of the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and very close to the high point of Hammersmith and Fulham. See the Central London Five Summits blog post for details.

Coordinates: 51°31'49.2"N 0°13'42.5"W
Nearest Station: Kensal Green (Overground, Bakerloo): 160m
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Brent, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea

 

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(19) The towers of St John’s - Brent/Kensington and Chelsea/Westminster

Ladbroke Grove in the Royal Borough peters out here in the shadow of the twin towers of St John the Evangelist’s Kensal Green. Next to it is a private school called Bales College.  But there is little sign here of the alleged gentrification of Kensal Green which in 2014 produced a Mulberry handbag named Kensal. 

Coordinates: 51°31'40.5"N 0°12'57.8"W
Nearest Station: Kensal Green (Overground, Bakerloo): 0.8 km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Brent, Kensington and Chelsea, City of Westminster

 

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(20) St Augustine’s junction – Brent/Camden/Westminster

The second tripoint in the middle of Watling Street. Camden has a modern Library here, hopefully also accessible also to the citizens of Westminster and Brent. Down the road in Westminster is St Augustine’s CofE High School, St Augustine’s Sports Centre, and finally the magnificent St Augustine’s church, the vast late 19th century “cathedral of north London”, named for the Augustine whom Pope Gregory sent to England to convert it to Christianity. 

Coordinates: 51°32'10.6"N 0°11'29.4"W
Nearest Station: Kilburn High Road (Overground): 120m
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Brent, Camden, City of Westminster

 

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(21) All Souls Ridge – Brent/Camden/Barnet

The third Watling Street tripoint as it climbs up the inimitably delightfully named Shoot Up Hill between Camden and Brent and on the shoulder of the hill meets Barnet at Cricklewood, beside the Mediterranean bar and restaurant Elementree  - “ the location is very romantic” . All Souls College Oxford once owned much of the land on the western side of the highway, including dozens of oaks: now gone but not forgotten. 

Coordinates: 51°33'18.7"N 0°12'48.6"W
Nearest Station: Cricklewood (Thameslink): 0.5 km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Brent, Camden, Barnet

 

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(22) Kenwood Corner – Camden/Barnet/Haringey

This prosperous tripoint is at edge of Hampstead Heath, which is managed by the City. The tripoint is where Bishops Avenue, home of the mega-rich, and technically in Barnet, meets the Heath. This is unmistakeably Highgate, a ward name used by both Camden and Haringey: unusual if not unique? A few hundred yards away is the old new wealth of Kenwood House, built from Mansfield’s legal practice and probably family slave estates in the Caribbean. There are several tremendous oaks on this boundary.

This tri-point is close to the London Borough High Points of Islington, Haringey and Camden and the Kenwood House and Parliament Hill Protected Views. See the post Walking The Hampstead and Highgate London Borough High Points for details

Coordinates: 51°34'21.1"N 0°10'16.5"W
Nearest Station: Golders Green (Northern Line): 2.1 km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Camden, Barnet, Haringey

 

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(23) New Southgate Tunnel – Barnet/Enfield/Haringey

Sadly this has little to do with Southgate itself, where Pevsner mentions several appetisers. The North Circular enters a long, unlit and seemingly unventilated abyss under the main railway line going north. The arch is decorated with graffiti tags RAS10FOOT or maybe 10FOOTRAS, presumably acrobatically carried out from above. By some way the  most hazardous tripoint in London.  

Coordinates: 51°36'36.7"N 0°08'19.7"W
Nearest Station: New Southgate (Great Northern, Thameslink): 1 km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Barnet, Enfield, Haringey

 

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(24) Waterlow Corner – Islington/Haringey/Camden

Islington comes up Highgate Hill past the Whittington Hospital and the Passionist RC Church of St Joseph to meet Hornsey Lane from Haringey. On the Camden side of the corner is Lauderdale House, built in 1582 by the goldsmith Richard Martin, sponsor of Drake’s circumnavigation. It is now a community hub. Behind and around is Waterlow Park, a “garden for the gardenless” given to the LCC by Sir Sidney Waterlow, a Liberal Lord Mayor.

This tri-point is also the high point of the London Borough of Islington. See the post Walking The Hampstead and Highgate London Borough High Points for details

Coordinates: 51°34'08.8"N 0°08'32.7"W
Nearest Station: Archway (Northern Line): 0.6 km
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Islington, Haringey, Camden

 

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(25) The Twelve Pins – Islington/Haringey/Hackney

Finsbury Park is a railway station named after a large park in Hornsey, created in 1869 from Hornsey Wood House pleasure gardens for the gardenless people of Finsbury in inner London. The borders meet in the middle of Seven Sisters Road outside the Twelve Pins pub, painted a vibrant blue. The Twelve Pins are not an inebriate vision of tenpin bowling but the Twelve Pins (or Bens) hilltops in Connemara, a great ridge walk. One of a small handful of tripoint pubs.

This Tri-point is 0.6km along Seven Sisters Road from the high point of the London Borough of Hackney. See the Central London Five Summits blog post for details.

Coordinates: 51°33'53.2"N 0°06'15.8"W
Nearest Station: Finsbury park (Great Northern, Overground, Thameslink, Piccadilly, Victoria): 150m
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Wikipedia: Islington, Haringey, Hackney

 

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(26) Pymme’s Brook – Haringey/Enfield/Waltham Forest

First of three tripoints in the middle of the Lea. The land route lies through Northumberland Park - the Percy connection which brought the Hotspur to Tottenham -  and past an Edmonton gasholder,  and over Pymme’s Brook and then Chalk Bridge over a branch of the Lea. But coming up the Lea from the south there are locks and swans and boats galore: this is where “the gulphy Lee his sedgy tresses rears” in the words of Alexander Pope.

Coordinates: 51°36'20.3"N 0°02'29.2"W
Nearest Station: Meridian Water (greateranglia): 1.7 km
Map: Epping Forest & Lee Valley Map | Hertford & Harlow | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 174
Links: Wikipedia: Haringey, Enfield, Waltham Forest

 

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(27) Cahn’s Corner – Haringey/Hackney/Waltham Forest

Where Stamford Hill, home to London’s Hassidic Jewish community, meets the counter-culture of canal houseboats on the Lea and the reservoirs of the Lea Valley park. The well-kept towpath buzzes with pedestrians and cyclists and presumably the inhabitants of the many houseboats moored here. A sign warns passing boats that there is non-motorised traffic on the water and indeed just downstream is the rowing club. Named for a good friend who biked with me here. 

Coordinates: 51°34'40.0"N 0°03'40.3"W
Nearest Station: Stamford Hill (Overground): 1.3 km
Map: South Tottenham (Overground): 1.6 km
Links: Wikipedia: Haringey, Hackney, Waltham Forest

 

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(28) Carpenter’s Road – Hackney/Tower Hamlets/Newham

The third tripoint in the Lea, between the railway bridge running between Hackney Wick and Stratford and a new road bridge over the Lea. The whole area is now part of the Olympic legacy park. Behind in Newham is the Olympic helter-skelter and what is now West Ham’s stadium in Stratford Marsh. It must have been near here that we all saw the Queen land when she parachuted in to open the 2012 Olympic Games. 

Coordinates: 51°32'36.1"N 0°00'59.7"W
Nearest Station: Hackney Wick (Overground): 0.6 km
Map: Epping Forest & Lee Valley Map | Hertford & Harlow | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 174
Links: Wikipedia: Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham

 

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(29) Eton Manor – Hackney/Waltham Forest/Newham

On the northern edges of Olympic land is this generous tribute to the site of the Eton Manor Boys’ Club, Eton’s mission in the east end of London, celebrated in a poem on the wall by Carol Ann Duffy: “young lives respected, cherished, valued, helped…..”; where poverty was translated to self-esteem. A rare flowering of the spiritual in these  acres of sporting legacy from 2012. 

Coordinates: 51°33'05.7"N 0°01'01.8"W
Nearest Station: Leyton (Central): 1.6km
Map: Epping Forest & Lee Valley Map | Hertford & Harlow | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 174
Links: Wikipedia: Hackney, Waltham Forest, Newham

 

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(30) The Holly Tree – Waltham Forest/Newham/Redbridge

The border line between Newham and Redbridge on the edge of Wanstead Flats is here defined along Capel Road by trees: alas ash and not oak. Wanstead is greener than imagined. The Flats are indeed flat; such a fine expanse of publicly accessible grassland perhaps deserves a less forbidding name. The Holly Tree pub is opposite on the Newham side, offering CZECH LAGER. Balmy summers on Wanstead Flats washed down by a real Moravian Pils from the Holly Tree…

Coordinates: 51°33'22.5"N 0°01'13.3"E
Nearest Station: Wanstead Park (Overground): 0.6 km
Map: Epping Forest & Lee Valley Map | Hertford & Harlow | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 174
Links: Wikipedia: Waltham Forest, Newham, Barking and Dagenham

 

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(31) Banks of the Roding – Newham/Redbridge/Barking and Dagenham 

The  tripoint is under the raised train tracks and the North Circular flyover above them and  is not a welcoming space. But the river Roding, a boundary river, flows past from rural Essex through Ilford, with its fine old Hospital chapel, to Barking, with its numinous Abbey remains and gatehouse, on its way to Barking Creek. The track on its west bank gives access to reed banks. The Roding hosts kayakers as well as moorhens.

Coordinates: 51°32'39.9"N 0°04'06.0"E
Nearest Station: Barking (Overground, c2c, District Line, Hammersmith & City Line): 1.8 km
Map: Epping Forest & Lee Valley Map | Hertford & Harlow | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 174
Links: Wikipedia: Newham, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham

 

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(32) Grissell’s Corner – Redbridge/Havering/Barking and Dagenham

The tripoint is almost rural - heading out on Hog Hill Road past Chadwell Heath villas and into farmland in Redbridge with its cheerful logo of oak leaves and a warning to drivers of deer. The City of London cast iron Coal Duty post, one of around 200 to survive, delineates the area within which coal tax was payable. It is dated 1861 and was made by Henry Grissell of the Regents Canal Iron Works: “Iron Henry”.   

Coordinates: 51°35'56.3"N 0°08'53.4"E
Nearest Station: Gidea Park (Elizabeth Line, Overground, greateranglia): 4.3 km
Map: Epping Forest & Lee Valley Map | Hertford & Harlow | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 174
Links: Wikipedia: Redbridge, Havering, Barking and Dagenham / Coal Duty Posts / Coal Duty Post # 7

 

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More London posts

City of London Boundary Walk

Cycling The Capital Ring

Cycling The London Loop

London's Coal Duty Posts

London's High Points

London's Protected Views

parkrun: LonDone

Walking The London Loop and Capital Ring

Walking The River Fleet

Walking The Roman London Wall

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My stats for the year:

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TOTAL DISTANCE IN 2021

• Run (outdoor): 670 miles (1,071 km)

• Run (Zwift): 93 miles (149 km)

• Cycle (Outdoor): 1,089 miles (1,743 km)

• Cycle (Zwift): 1,315 miles (2,104 km)

• Trek: 506 miles (810 km)

• SUP: 30 miles (48 km)

• Total = 3,704 miles (5,926 km)

Trek = recorded hiking & walking events, not general steps.

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KEY EVENTS IN 2021

• 2 x Ultra Marathons: Race to the Castle and Downs Link Ultra

• 7 x 10k events: St Albans Easter, Loseley Park Trail, Henley Trail, Hardest of Snails Trail, Thame, Run Reigate, Weybridge

• 171 x 5ks including 20 parkruns and 140 (not)parkruns

• 6 new County Tops: Craigairie Fell, Merrick, Kirriereoch Hill-Northwest Slope, Culter Fell, Broad Law, White Coomb

• Completing the Finland Archipelago Trail Cycle Tour

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A nice improvement on 2020 …

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Shardeloes Estate

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Start & Finish: Old Amersham Market Hall, 19 Market Square, Amersham, HP7 0DG
Distance: 12.5 km (7.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 119m
South Bucks Way section covered: Shardeloes to Amersham Market Square: 1.2 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Bucks Way, Chiltern Heritage Trail, Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trail Milton Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots in Old Amersham High Street (we like Seasons). Also: The Red Lion, Coleshill; The Plough and The Potter’s Arms, Winchmore Hill; The Squirrel, Penn
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Amersham, Coleshill, Winchmore Hill, Penn, Penn Wood

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The South Bucks Way is a 37 km (23-mile) trail that promises a delightful escape for walkers and hikers. This scenic route, often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts, offers a tranquil journey through charming villages, lush countryside, and the gentle murmur of the River Misbourne. This post is part of a series of circular walks featuring the South Bucks Way. The full trail stretches from Coombe Hill near Wendover to the Grand Union Canal at Denham. Our walks take in short sections of the South Bucks Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The South Bucks Way is well sign-posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

From the Market Square head south down Whielden Street, following the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Take a left onto Whielden Green and keep to the Trail as it crosses a rough field, over the A413 footbridge and into farmland. Follow the Heritage Trail in a south-westerly direction as it climbs up to Coleshill. When you reach Coleshill All Saints Church opposite the Red Lion pub, take a right onto the footpath passing down the south side of the church. You’re now following both the Chiltern Heritage Trail and The Chiltern Way. Follow these in a westerly direction to The Hill (road) in Winchmore Hill.

When you arrive at Winchmore Hill you have the choice of either The Plough or The Potter’s Arms for a rest. Alternatively you can continue to Penn for The Squirrel or, just round the corner, The Hit or Miss. This is one of the Chiltern Walks with the most pubs on the route.

From The Plough you’ll keep to the right of the Common, following the Heritage Trail (not the Chiltern Way) in a north westerly direction until you reach Penn Street. Turn left onto Penn Street then find the entrance to Penn Wood opposite the Squirrel. Follow the Heritage Trail through Penn Wood to reach Amersham Road. Cross Over Amersham Road, briefly onto Sheepcote Dell Road then take a right onto Beamond End Lane. Take the first road on the right, follow it to the end and continue along the footpath. Halfway across the next field you’ll cross Toby’s Lane, a tree enclosed footpath. At this point the Chiltern Heritage Trail takes a left onto Toby’s Lane. Don’t take this left, instead leave the Heritage Trail and continue across the fields in a north-easterly direction. Cross over Mop End Lane and keep to the footpath to the north edge of The Rough Park woods. Continue for 2km through the Shardeloes estate and A413.

When you reach the A413 you’ll meet the River Misbourne and can cross under the main road next to the river. Follow the footpath onto Amersham High Street and back to the start at Market Square.

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Previous section (north): Walking The South Bucks Way Part 5: Little Missenden and Shardeloes
Next section (south): Walking The South Bucks Way Part 7: Amersham and Coleshill

Gate to the Culden Faw Estate on the Oxfordshire Way

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Start & Finish: Henley Bridge, White Hill, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3HG
Distance: 10.9 km (6.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 185m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Oxfordshire Way, Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots in Henley Town centre, plus The Rainbow Inn (4.7km in)
Map: Chiltern Hills West Map | Henley-on-Thames & Wallingford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 171
Links: Henley-on-Thames, Middle Assendon, Bix, Nettlebed, Lambridge Wood

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For our latest Chiltern Walk we returned to Henley to start the Oxfordshire Way. This is a 66 mile long-distance path connecting Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds with Henley-on-Thames. Our plan is to start with the Chilterns section, taking it on in short circular walks of around 10km. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

This first section starts at Henley Bridge, where the Oxfordshire Way meets the Thames Path. From here, walk up Hart Street in a westerly direction and turn right onto Bell Street. Continue along Bell Street until the mini-roundabout, crossing this onto Northfield End. After 300m, and 1km into the route, take the footpath on the right, following it diagonally up the hill to a wooded area.

Follow the Oxfordshire Way for 3.5km through the Culden Faw Estate and other farmland until you reach the B480 at Middle Assendon. Take a right onto the B480 and find the footpath to the left hand side of the Rainbow Inn pub. Here you’ll leave the Oxfordshire Way for this section. See the Middle Assendon, Bix and Crocker End Circular walk for the next section.

Follow the path from the Rainbow Inn in a westerly direction as it takes you onto White Lane and Rectory Lane along the edge of Bix Common Field. Cut across the Common to the Church of St James, Bix and take Rectory Lane south, carefully crossing over the busy A4130 to continue following the road past Bix Manor. Approximately 800m from the A4130 you’ll leave the road when it curves to the right and take the footpath into Lambridge Woods. Continue in a south-easterly direction through the woods and across Badgemore Park Golf Club to Lambridge Road. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of paths through Lambridge Woods so a GPX route is useful here.

When Lambridge Road takes a sharp turn to the right, take the left hand footpath leading to Crisp Road. From here there’s a few options to navigate through the houses to return to Hart Street and back to Henley Bridge. We took Crisp Road / Hop Gardens / Mount View then through the Waitrose Car Park.

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Oxfordshire Way Next Section (north): Middle Assendon, Bix and Crocker End

Significance: Highest peak in London Borough of Hounslow
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Botley Hill. NHN = Richmond Park
Historic County: Middlesex (of which Bushey Heath is the County Top)
Elevation: 35m
Date “climbed”: 20th December 2021
Coordinates: 51° 29' 11'' N, 0° 23' 3'' W
Nearest Station: Hounslow West (Piccadilly Line): 1.7 miles
On route of: N/A. The London Loop is 2.7 km to the south-west
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia (Hounslow), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

For my Greater London High Point adventure I saved the closest, if not the best, for last. As the nearest to where I live I held this one back for a quick trip on a rainy day. That never really happened so I bagged it on the way back from Westerham Heights.

Not much to see here: it’s a quiet residential road parallel to the M4 and close to the service road to Heston Services. The high point appears to be near the junction with Meadow Way. It’s so flat though, it could be anywhere.

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Significance: Highest peak in London Borough of Bromley, Highest peak in Greater London (all 32 Boroughs)
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Botley Hill. NHN = Betsom’s Hill
Historic County: Kent (of which Betsom’s Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 245m
Date “climbed”: 20th December 2021
Coordinates: 51° 17' 22'' N, 0° 3' 30'' E
Nearest Station: Oxted (Southern, Thameslink): 7.7 km
On route of: None. North Downs Way is 0.8 km to the south-east
Map: Sevenoaks & Tonbridge Map | Royal Tunbridge Wells & Westerham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 147
Links: Wikipedia (Bromley), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Westerham Heights has been the highest natural point of Greater London since April 1st 1994. Prior to that the high point was on the northeastern slope of Botley Hill. A boundary change moved this point to Surrey where Leith Hill is higher.

Although I had already done Westerham Heights back in 2012, I had no memory of it at all. I had bagged it with a few friends while doing nearby Betsom’s Hill. My friend Mark’s log on Hillbagging even said I’d been there. I still couldn’t be sure though so I made a return trip on the way back to the M25 from Sydenham Hill.

The high point is on the main road opposite Westerham House. You can park in the lane next to the house but be careful crossing the road as it’s very busy. I overshot the turning and packed in the next lane. This is also where the 246 bus stops. For London’s highest point, it’s another disappointingly dull one and there’s no view.

My favourite (and only so far) fact about Westerham Heights is that the top of The Shard is now the highest point in Greater London (thanks to Kevin Hyam for sharing this with me). The Observation Deck at the Shard is at 244m, just 1m lower than Westerham Heights. The total height of The Shard, is 309.6m.

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Significance: Highest peak in the London Boroughs of Lewisham and Southwark
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Botley Hill. NHN = Sanderstead Plantation
Historic County: Border of Surrey and Kent
Elevation: 112m
Date “climbed”: 20th December 2021
Coordinates: 51° 25' 57'' N, 0° 4' 20'' W
Nearest Station: Sydenham Hill (Southeastern): 0.8 km
On route of: Green Chain Walk
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia (Lewisham), Wikipedia (Southwark), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

After Westow Hill, the Lambeth high point, it’s just 1.5 km up the Lewisham/Southwark border to get to the high point of both boroughs. Several Hillbagging logs count the Green Chain Walk sign at the junction of Sydenham Hill and Crescent Road as the high point. We also found a white engraved stone on the opposite side of Sydenham Hill (road) that may also be a clue. Most of the writing had eroded away but we could make out the word “point” near the base.

There's some argument over the name of this hill. One origin story has Sydenham taking its name from the Anglo-Saxon word Cippas, to mean 'drunkard's settlement' — somewhat aptly given the number of excellent pubs round the corner in Crystal Palace. Alternatively, if less evocatively, it may derive from the medieval term 'syp', meaning sheep. Others think it simply comes from a personal name, such as Cippa. Source: How London’s Hills Got Their Names).

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Walk from Sydenham Hill Station to Sydenham Hill Summit

If you’re arriving by train to Sydenham Hill station, the best way to walk to the high point is via Sydenham Hill Wood and the old railway trackbed. This is the old route of the Crystal Palace and South London Junction Railway. When you reach Crescent Wood tunnel take the right hand path to Crescent Road. Take a right on the road and follow it south to the high point at the junction with Sydenham Hill.

Start: Sydenham Hill Station, London SE21 7ND
Finish: Sydenham Hill High Point, 51° 25' 57'' N, 0° 4' 20'' W
Distance: 575m (0.4 miles)
Elevation change: +44m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Green Chain Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Links: Sydenham Hill Wood, Crystal Palace and South London Junction Railway

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Significance: Highest peak in London Borough of Lambeth
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Botley Hill. NHN = Sydenham Hill
Historic County: Surrey and Kent
Elevation: 110m
Date “climbed”: 20th December 2021
Coordinates: 51° 25' 12'' N, 0° 4' 43'' W
Nearest Station: Crystal Palace (Southern, Overground): 0.5 km
On route of: N/A. Green Chain Walk is 0.4 km to the east
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia (Lambeth), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

The Westow Hill roundabout sits at the tri-point of the London Boroughs of Lambeth, Croydon and Bromley. It’s also on the border of the Historic Counties of Surrey and Kent. The Hillbagging logs claim different spots on the roundabout as the high point so I did a full circuit to make sure.

Just round the corner at the junction of Crystal Palace Road and Farquhar Road you’ll find another tri-point. This one is the intersection of Southwark, Lewisham and Lambeth.

It’s a 1.5 km walk north up Crystal Palace Parade then Sydenham Hill (road) to get to the next high point, Sydenham Hill. This follows the Southwark/Lewisham border to the high point of both.

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Significance: Highest peak in London Borough of Croydon
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Botley Hill. NHN = Botley Hill
Historic County: Surrey (of which Leith Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 175m
Date “climbed”: 20th December 2021
Coordinates: 51° 20' 23'' N, 0° 4' 24'' W
Nearest Station: Sanderstead (Southern, Thameslink): 2.3 km
On route of: N/A. London Loop is 1 mile to the north-east
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Wikipedia (Croydon), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Although Sanderstead Plantation is only the second highest peak in London, it beats Westerham Heights for enjoyment. This is a proper hill with a walk through the woods to get there. It also has a handy sign at the top to tell you that you’ve made it. There’s a short footpath to the top from Church Way where there’s also free on-street parking.

The Selsdon Park Trig Pillar (TP5873 - Selsdon Park) is only 500m away to the east. It’s on private ground though and recent logs suggest it’s inaccessible and hard to see from the path. I gave it a miss and decided to drive to Pollard’s Hill. The Trig Pillar (TP5488 - Pollards Hill) there is in a public park with views over the beautiful Croydon skyline.

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Thames Path at Culden Faw

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Start & Finish: The Flower Pot Hotel, Aston, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3DG
Distance: 12.4 km (7.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 116m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Wokingham Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): Round Berkshire Cycle Route, NCN 4
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Aston, Culden Faw, Crazies Hill

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For our final Thames Path walk of the year we returned to the Flower Pot Hotel in Aston. From the pub follow the Thames Path south for 100m along Aston Lane, then take the path on the left to cross the Culden Faw Estate. This is a big landowner in the Henley area and you’ll be on the Thames Path through the estate for 3 km. When you reach Frogmill, take a right, leaving the Thames Path and follow Black Boy Lane south to the Black Boy Pub on the A4130.

Carefully cross the A4130 and take the footpath, still on the Wokingham Way up the hill for 1.5 km. When you see an old stone sign saying “public footpath to Rose Lane”, take a right following the direction of the sign. Continue along this path, past the farm to Rose Lane. Take a left onto Rose Lane, cross over Warren Row Road at the junction and over Hatch Gate Lane at the next junction. Approximately 200 metres along Highfield Lane take the first path on the right along the edge of a horse field. You’re now on the Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop which you’ll follow through Crazies Hill, Cockpole Green, Culham, over the A4130 and back into the Culham Faw Estate. When the Chiltern Way Berkshire loop meets the Thames Path again, take a left and retrace your original steps back to the Flower Pot.

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• Previous Thames Path Section (west): Henley-on-Thames, Remenham and Aston

• Next Thames Path Section (east): Hurley & Ashley Hill

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Path junction in Swinley Forest

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Start & Finish: The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW
Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 107m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Rambler’s Route, Three Castles Path
Other routes touched (cycle): Swinley Forest Mountain Bike Routes
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe at the Look Out Discovery Centre
OS Trig Pillar: TP5536 - Pudding Hill
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Swinley Forest, The Lookout Discovery Centre

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I had visited Swinley Forest many time but, until recently, had completed missed that it contains a present-day county top. Surrey Hill, the high point of the Unitary Authority of Bracknell Forest, can be found at the far south side of the forest.

From the Look Out car park take the Rambler’s Route for 1.2 km south from the Discovery Centre. You’ll pass by the Pudding Hill Trig Pillar after 600m. When the Rambler’s Route take a sharp bend to the right, continue straight now heading south-east. There’s a lot of tracks and few sign-posts so having the GPX route is your best bet to keep you on the right route. Approx 400 metres after leaving the Rambler’s Route take the right hand path heading south-east rather than the larger track. This will take you past New England Hill and will meet up with Bracknell Road (track) after 670 metres. Take a right onto Bracknell Road and follow it south. You’ll reach a sign for Surrey Hill at a larger path junction before ascending to the high point.

After Surrey Hill keep heading south toward the large transmitter before turning right ~750m from Surrey Hill summit. You’ll now be heading south/south-west across some open land, eventually meeting a fence. This is the boundary of Swinley Forest and neighboring MOD land. Cross through the gate and follow the paths past Deer Rock Hill to meet a long straight path heading north-west. This section is especially tricky to navigate without a GPS.

Once on the long north-westerly path, follow it until a large junction of 8 paths. Take the large north-easterly path called Windsor Ride, then the mountain bike path that splits off from it after 40m. Follow this path north until it meets the Three Castles Path and follow that back to the start.

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Surrey Hill

Significance: Highest Point in the Unitary Authority of Bracknell Forest
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Butser Hill. NHN = Bowsey Hill
Historic County: Berkshire (of which Walbury Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 130m
Date “climbed”: December 18th 2021
Coordinates: 51° 22' 9'' N, 0° 43' 30'' W
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Wikipedia (Bracknell Forest), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

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At the entrance to the Royal Standard of England Pub

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Start & Finish: The Royal Standard of England pub, Forty Green, Beaconsfield, HP9 1XT
Distance: 8.3 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 140m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Chiltern Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Royal Standard of England at the start and end.
Map: Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenhead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Forty Green, Penn, Knotty Green

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This is a short walk from the Royal Standard of England pub in Forty Green. The pub is said to be England’s oldest and has a rich history that you can read on its website. It caters well for walkers as it has a large free car park with an information sign for local walks. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

Our route took us on a clockwise half-circuit on the Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop and Chiltern Way then back through paths to the west of Knotty Green. From the pub car park take a right onto Bayleys Bottom Lane then the first footpath on the right onto the Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop. Follow this for ~1.5 km until you meet the junction with The Chiltern Way at Coppice Hoop woods. Take a right onto The Chiltern Way and follow it as it curves north/north-east through Beacon Hill until Noakes Lane. Here you’ll leave The Chiltern Way, following Noakes Lane south until it reaches the B474 Witheridge Lane. Take a left onto Witherage Lane.

Be careful on Witheridge Lane as cars can pass down it quite fast and there’s no pavement. You can keep off the road on the grass verges though. After 40 metres, take the first footpath on the right, between some large houses. Follow this path south for ~1.5 km until you meet Forty Green Road, taking a right to briefly follow it. Take the footpath on the left before the Forty Green sign where the road descends steeply. Follow this path south-west until the path junction at Hogback Wood. Take a right onto another path and follow this until you reach Forty Green Road again. Take a left onto the Forty Green Road and follow it back to the Royal Standard of England

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When: March 27th 2021
Where: Walton Bridge Car Park, Walton Lane, Shepperton, Walton-on-Thames, TW17 8LY
Course: Start and finish by Walton Bridge. Short out and back along the river then a big clockwise loop along Oatlands Drive to Weybridge and back along the river.
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Finish time: 53:29

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Significance: Highest peak in London Borough of Greenwich
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Botley Hill. NHN = Sanderstead Plantation
Historic County: Kent (of which Betsom’s Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 132m
Date “climbed”: 4th December 2021
Coordinates: 51° 28' 13'' N, 0° 4' 10'' E
Nearest Station: Welling or Falconwood (southeastern rail): 2.7 km
On route of: Green Chain Walk
Map: Greenwich & Gravesend Map | East End, Docklands, Bromley, Sidcup & Thurrock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 162
Links: Wikipedia (Greenwich), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Like Langdon Shaw, this was another London High Point on the far side of London from where I live. I could easily have bagged it on the same trip but I decided to wait for Charlton, another south-east London parkrun, to visit it on the way.

This is a more pleasing visit than many of the other London High Points as it at least feels like a summit. The high point is by the bench between the two trees in the centre of the Eaglesfield Park. Although there’s no view to the centre of London, you get a great sight of the skyline from the top of nearby Occupation Lane. For the best view return at sunset.

The hill’s name probably harks back to medieval times, when its rich woodlands were a favoured site for archery practice. The hill has maintained its shooty links over the centuries. The former dockyards and munitions factories of Woolwich abut the area. Its most famous landmark, Severndroog Castle, is named after a military engagement off the coast of India. The main road was long the haunt of armed highwaymen. Anti-aircraft guns on its summit protected south east London during the second world war, and it would have served as a last line of defence for the capital if the Germans had attempted a land invasion. More recently, a bank of rapier missiles were stationed on the hill during the 2012 Olympics. Shooters Hill might just be the most appropriately named hill in London. Source: How London’s Hills Got Their Names).

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