Walking with Keilyn: Brent Lodge Park to Hanwell... and beyond

Keilyn outside Northwood Hills station.

Saturday July 27, 2024.

Today, Keilyn and I were headed to an area of London that we had not been to before. 

So, our journey began with a taxi to Watford underground station, where we boarded a Metropolitan line train and travelled the four stops to Northwood Hills. Once we had exited the station we stopped at the 'Whistle Stop' café, where we purchased a hot sausage bap, for Keilyn, and a bacon roll for myself, before heading on to Joel Street, where we waited for our bus.

While we waited I took a photo of Keilyn with the mural, that is painted along the bridge. Immediately after the photo was taken our bus, the 282 to Ealing Hospital, arrived. We stepped aboard, touched in with our Oyster Cards and then headed upstairs to sit at the front of the bus, so that we could see whatever sights there were.

Our view from the 282.

The bus made its way through Eastcote, Northolt and Greenford before we rang the bell for our stop, Golf Links Estate (Stop J). From here we walked along a Public Footpath, with West Middlesex Golf Club, to our right, and Ealing Hanwellians Cricket Club, to our left. 

The River Brent.

The path continued until we reached St Mary's Church, where we turned right, continuing through Brent Lodge Park, until we reached our destination of Hanwell Zoo.

Keilyn in Maze 2000.

As we had made good time and the weather wasn't too hot, we decided that we would visit the MillenniuM Maze first. This maze was created for the millennium and is made up of 2000 Yews, with a covered observation platform at its centre, with another observation platform at its entrance.

Without any hesitation Keilyn headed in, with me bringing up the rear. Left, right, right again, Dead end. Back track. Left, right, left, left. Dead end. Back track. Third time lucky. 

Keilyn at the centre of the MillenniuM Maze.

Having reached the centre we looked out over the maze, before Keilyn took off, hurrying to find her own way out, waving her hat above her head so that I could see where she was. I, on the other hand, decided to use the gate and simply walked out of the maze, much to Keilyn's chagrin.

Ready to enter Hanwell Zoo.

Once we were reunited, we made our way to Hanwell Zoo.

zoo, which has been in existence since 1975, is typical of many other children's zoos in the capital, with a wide variety of animals to see. 

A pair of hamerkop.

There were armadillo, red-crowned crane, black cheeked lovebirds, rabbits, flamingos, ringed teal ducks, green peafowl, white peafowl, hamerkop, capybara, white face whistling ducks, miniature donkeys, alpaca, fish, goats, tortoise, exotic birds, lemur, mice, tamarin, meerkats, loris and much more.

A red-crowned crane.

We explored it all, seeing all but a few of the animals. The Margay, being nocturnal, was sleeping out of sight, while the Loris, also nocturnal, did make an appearance. 

The six-banded armadillo, that had been sleeping when we arrived, were woken up so that they could be fed, allowing us to see them, just as we were leaving.

Keilyn about to tuck into some lunch.

Once we had purchased the obligatory notebook and pen, from the zoo shop, we headed next door to the café, where we ordered some food, which we ate on the terrace, before Keilyn went to burn off some energy in the playground.

Keilyn beneath the Wharncliffe Viaduct.

We then headed out of Brent Lodge Park and joined the Capital Ring, heading east, following the River Brent until we reached the Wharncliffe Viaduct, which is a truly astonishing piece of Brunel engineering. 

We then continued through The Hobbayne, which is small parcel of land which was left to the poor and needy of the parish, back in 1484. 

One of the Hanwell Sarsen Stones.

I was more than a little surprised to find a Sarsen Stone in the centre of the path, as we made our way along it. This wasn't on the scale of the Sarsen Stones at Stonehenge, but it was still great to see one up close.

Do people cross over the tracks?

The path finally brought us out on to Station Road, which we crossed, and joined Station Approach, which led us to Hanwell station. Keilyn and I were still wondering where to take the train to when the sleek Elizabeth line train pulled into the station. 

"Whitechapel? Nothing there. Abbey Wood? Too far. Paddington? Been there. Bond Street? Nah, that doesn't exist! Tottenham Court Road? Yes... Tottenham Court Road." - Keilyn had decided.

Exiting Tottenham Court Road station we found ourselves in sweltering heat, which was in stark contrast to the air conditioned train and station that we had just left. We immediately headed for shade, beside one of the buildings, and worked out a plan of action. Ice cream, was the solution.

'Milagro' at Outernet, London.

After a short walk we found ourselves at Outernet, with its airy and cool interior, where we sat and watched the visuals being displayed on the wraparound screens and ceiling. The first video was entitled 'Emoji Shower', which was then followed by 'Milagro'. 

Having suitably cooled down we headed to a Sainsbury's Local, where we purchased an ice cream. Sitting in the shade of some trees we devoured the icy treat, before making a zig-zag route westward.

T J Boulting Manufactory building.

Due to protests and marches, happening this afternoon, the Police had sealed off some of the roads around Fitzrovia and the surrounding area, hence our random route. Nassau Street to Riding House Street to Foley Street to Langham Street and then Great Portland Street.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

From here we headed along Marylebone Road the short distance to Baker Street station, where, after looking in the souvenir shops, we headed to Platform 1 to grab a Starbucks. Our train pulled away just as we ordered, but the next wasn't too far behind, so there was no harm in us missing it.

As we sipped our drinks the information board updated and the Watford-bound train, due in on Platform 1, was switched to Platform 4. So, up the stairs we went, across the concourse and down to Platform 4, boarded the train and sat back to enjoy the ride.

Another great day exploring the greatest city on Earth.

Distance travelled:

• Bus - 8.2 miles
• Cable Car - 0.0 miles
• Car - 0.0 miles
• DLR - 0.0 miles
• Ferry - 0.0 miles
• Overground - 0.0 miles
• River Boat - 0.0 miles
• Taxi - 0.8 miles
• Train - 9 miles (Elizabeth line)
• Underground - 22 miles
• Walking - 4.9 miles