2024: A Year in Review

Looking back at my travels, throughout 2024, I visited some historic places, iconic landmarks, museums and some interesting, unique and quirky places.

From Battersea to Woolwich and Highgate to Elephant and Castle, plus many points in-between, I, often with family and friends, walked a distance of over 140 miles and travelled over 700 miles, via London Underground. Plus, there were the buses, cable car, Overground and National Rail, which add more to the total.

Below I have listed some of these walks, although there were many others.

The year began with a walk from North Greenwich to Canada Water, taking the Thames Path for much of the route. Sculptures and historic buildings lined our way, with a lunch break at Greenwich Market and a drink at 'The Victoria', Deptford.

In February some friends and I walked from King's Cross to Wapping and back to Aldgate. We visited 'The Blind Beggar', where we met Vas Blackwood, before heading through Shadwell to 'Turner's Old Star', before heading through Wapping to 'The Prospect of Whitby'. We then made our way back, via St Katharine Docks, to Aldgate.

Erin joined me for my next trip, where we visited 'The Wallace Collection', at Hertford House, before having lunch at a 'Wok to Walk' and then visiting 'Liberty' and taking a meandering walk to Great Portland Street, via the BT Tower.

Late February saw Keilyn and I heading to Stratford to visit 'The Cart and Horses', birthplace of Iron Maiden, before we headed back to the City of London, visiting the 'Bank of England Museum'. Torrential rain cut our walk short, but it was still a great day out.

My mum and I took a trip to Canary Wharf and the 'Theatreship', in March, to hear Niki Gorick give a talk on her latest book, 'Dock Life Renewed'. Not much of a walk, but a fascinating evening.

With Spring truly here, my next walk, with Steve, was from the Light Tunnel, at King's Cross, to Baker Street, along the Regent's Canal, with lunch at Canopy Market and a drink at 'Camden Lock Dingwalls Pub'. A wonderful tranquil walk.

April saw Erin, Keilyn and I take Gary and his son, Alfie, to 'Mudchute Park and Farm', for Alfie's first trip to London. After the park we walked south to Island Gardens, before continuing along the River Thames and back to Canary Wharf.

Keilyn and I visited Gunnersbury Park and Museum, where we explored the mansion, once owned by the Rothschild family, and visited the exhibitions, before exploring the grounds.

Late April saw Keilyn and I visit the Brunel Museum, before heading along the Thames Path and visiting Stave Hill Viewpoint, before walking to Canada Water. From here we walked to Rotherhithe Station, where we travelled through the Thames Tunnel, built by Brunel, Wapping. From here we walked to HM Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, stopped for lunch, and then continued our walk to Barbican.

Our next walk saw Keilyn and I joined by my mum, uncle Martin and our friend Steve. We visited St Katharine Docks to see the Dunkirk Little Ships, before Keilyn, Steve and I headed off to the south bank for lunch at 'The Salt Quay'. We returned to Tower Bridge in time to see it open, to allow a barge to pass through, before rejoining my mum and uncle Martin.

Keilyn and I started our next walk from Marylebone station, heading towards Paddington. We saw 'Real Time' by Maarten Baas, before moving on to Leinster Gardens and the fake houses. From here we headed into Kensington Gardens and on to Kensington High Street. We visited Gnome Land, the Tower House and Gnome Land and ate our lunch in Holland Park, before heading to Green Park via Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.

Severndroog Castle was the next starting point, for Keilyn and I, on a glorious Sunday in July. The folly offers unique views across London and its surrounding counties. From here we walked to St George's Garrison Church, before we stopped for lunch in Woolwich. We then took the Woolwich Free Ferry to the north bank, before continuing our walk to the Royal Docks, where we caught the Cable Car to North Greenwich.

Brent Lodge Park was the next visit, and starting point, for Keilyn and I. Hanwell Zoo is a great children's zoo, which we visited after first exploring the MillenniuM Maze. From here we walked through Brent Lodge Park, and The Hobbayne, before arriving at Hanwell station. A short trip, on the Elizabeth line, took us to Tottenham Court Road, where we continued walking, eventually arriving at Baker Street station.

August saw Emma, Erin, Keilyn and I, stay at Premier Inn Archway for one night, so that we could explore the area, using the hotel as a base. Kenwood House, Archway, Hampstead Heath and Highgate Cemetery were all explored, during our stay.

A rare solo trip saw me walk from Elephant and Castle to Borough, where I saw old World War II ARP Stretchers used as railings, saw the last surviving part of Marshalsea Prison and visited 'The Southwark Tavern'. An old Tram Shelter, with a new lease of life, was next, before heading for the south bank, where I saw William Blake's Mosaics beneath a bridge, before continuing to Waterloo.

Walthamstow was the next starting point for Keilyn and I, where we visited the Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum, which is a fascinating and historic place to visit. From here we walked to the Middlesex Filter Beds and the River Lea, spotting the ISS-Flowthrough, before we sat for a break at Nature's Throne. We then continued our walk along the River Lea until we reached the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Another trip saw Keilyn, uncle Martin and I visit HMS Belfast, where we explored this historic ship, before crossing Tower Bridge and walking around St Katharine Docks. From here we headed along the north bank until we used the Millennium Footbridge to cross back to the south bank. We then continued westward to Waterloo.

Steve joined Keilyn and I when we decided to start a walk from Mile End. The site of the first V-1 bomb to fall on London, Meath Gardens (originally Victoria Park Cemetery), Bethnal Green and Old Street and Barbican, were some of the places we visited. Mosaics and murals lined our route.

My first walk, following a minor leg operation, saw Keilyn and I start our walk at Stoke Newington. We saw where the first bomb of World War I was dropped from a Zeppelin, before visiting Abney Park Cemetery. From here we walked down Stoke Newington High Street, before getting a bus to Liverpool Street, as my leg was beginning to ache.

November saw me take a solo walk, where I started at Charing Cross. I headed south towards Vincent Street, before heading across the River Thames to Vauxhall Park, where I found a fascinating, if not odd, model village. From here I wandered, spotting the Charlie Chaplin Mosaics, before heading back across the River Thames, visiting Queen Mary's Steps and walking around Whitehall.

Aldgate was once again a starting point, when I headed north out of the station. 'The Knight of Cnihtengild', Victorian Bath House and Elsyng Spital Church Tower were some of the sights that I saw. Myddelton Passage, with its etched bricks, was soon followed by a walk around  City Road Basin and the Regent's Canal.

Uncle Martin and I took a trip to Lambeth, where we visited the Garden Museum and St Mary-at-Lambeth Tower, before heading along towards Hay's Galleria and Tower Bridge, in order to see the Christmas Lights that were already up.

The Sunday before Christmas saw Emma and I take Keilyn, Erin and her friend, Summer, to London to see some of the lights. Baker Street to Grosvenor Square, Berkeley Square, New Bond Street, Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly, Leicester Square, Carnaby Street, Regent Street and Oxford Street, were some of the places we visited.

My last walk, of 2024, saw Erin and her friend, Summer, and I visit Leicester Square, China Town and Covent Garden, before heading to the south bank. Leake Street and Lambeth were visited, before heading back towards Westminster.

I wonder where and how far I will walk in 2025.