Walking alone: Baker Street to Camden... and beyond

Friday April 10, 2026.

A sunny day with light winds, 16°C (61°F).

The plan had been for Keilyn and myself to go for a walk in London, while Emma visited her mum and dad, in Chesham. However, Keilyn kept changing her mind as to what she wanted to do.

Emma booked a taxi, which we clambered into, which whisked us through the deserted streets to Watford Underground station. Erin was staying home, as she was dog-sitting for Alysha, later in the day.

We boarded the waiting train and were soon trundling through Croxley towards Moor Park station. I was still unsure if Keilyn was going to change her mind, again, and come with me. But, no, Keilyn decided to change to a Chesham-bound train with Emma, while I continued on to Baker Street.

Arriving at Baker Street I exited the station and made my way north, along Baker street, and entered Regent's Park. The Park wasn't too busy, at this time, with there being more joggers and runners than people walking through. I walked along the path, beside the Boating Lake, before joining the Outer Circle. I then passed the London Central Mosque, before passing the gates to Winfield House, which is the official residence of the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom.

I then crossed the road and dropped down onto the Regent's Canal towpath, which I found to be almost deserted, with just the occasional cyclist zipping by. Bluebells lined the grassy banks, carpeting the floor with their unique colour and foliage. At one point there was more traffic on the canal than the towpath. As I passed beneath the 'Blow up' bridge, my friend Dyan messaged to say that she would be heading to London, following a hospital appointment. I explained where I was, where I was heading to and what time I expected to arrive there. Dyan said that she would make her way to King's Cross and then message me to find out where I was. It was a sound plan.

Soon, I could hear the voices of the visitors to London Zoo, across the canal to my right, while I could see more people crossing the bridge to visit Monkey Valley in the Snowdon Aviary. As I looked up I could see some of the Eastern black-and-white colobus monkeys, sitting on perches.

By now there were people along the towpath, many with young families who were possibly heading towards the aforementioned zoo. As the canal meandered north beneath Prince Albert Road I was forced to wait, at the entrance to the tunnel, to allow people to come through, as this is a rather low tunnel with little space.

St Mark's Church loomed high above me, to my left, while trees rose majestically on the opposite side, obscuring the homes there. The towpath took me below Regent's Park Road and on towards Camden, passing beneath Gloucester Avenue and the main rail line out of Euston, where houses gave way to industrial buildings, residential flats and businesses. I was now in Camden and the towpath was busy with tourists, while the canal was filled with children in kayaks and families on boat tours. 

I crossed the canal, via the Iron Footbridge, and continued along the towpath to Camden High Street. Here I rejoined the towpath, on the north bank, as the canal meandered its way north and eastward. Kentish Town Road, Camden Street, Camden Road, Royal College Street and St Pancras Way all passed above my head, while buildings of every description lined my route, with both old and new standing together between those still under construction.

By now I was moving in a southeasterly direction, passing beneath the main rail lines out of King's Cross and St Pancras International, and approaching St Pancras Basin, with its moored canal boats. To my left Gasholders Park and Coal Drops Yard stood in stark contrast with the greenery of Camley Street Natural Park. I continued along the towpath, before heading up to Granary Square, where I stopped for a short break. By now Dyan had arrived at Euston, so I made my way to King's Cross station, via King's Boulevard, and waited, at Battle Bridge Place, for Dyan to arrive.

Minutes later she arrived and we made our way through King's Cross Square to York Way. As it had been a while since we had seen each other Dyan offered to treat me for lunch, as a belated birthday present. So, we headed to the 'Beer + Burger Store', which Dyan had long wanted to visit. 

Our server, Jess, ushered us to a table, on which she placed a glass bottle of cold water with two glasses, before leaving us to choose our food and drinks We both opted for a single bacon cheeseburger, with Dyan choosing fries with cheese and gravy, while I opted for fries with Buffalo and ranch sauces covered in chives. For drinks Dyan ordered a Rainbow Belts beer, while I had a Pressure Drop Pale Fire. The food was cooked to perfection and was soon devoured, washed down with our ice-cold drinks. Dyan settled the bill , to which she also added a can of Fizzy Rainbow Belts to take home. 

On leaving the restaurant we dropped down onto the towpath, deciding to visit some of the boats moored along the canal. Our first stop was 'The Floating Art Gallery', where we looked at the work of the artist Sam Smith, before boarding 'Word on the Water', which is a floating bookshop. This bookshop has a wealth of books, many unavailable elsewhere, covering every subject imaginable. Dyan was struck by some of the ornate covers and glossy pages on classics, like 'Pride & Prejudice', 'Dracula', 'Moby Dick' and others. It would be 'Pride & Prejudice' that Dyan would leave with.

We rejoined the towpath and wandered along it to Coal Drops Yard, which, it turns out, Dyan had never visited. So, I set about showing her this expansive shopping area, before we visited the Lower Stable Street Market. We then made our way up to Granary Square, where we sat in the afternoon sun, watching young children splashing in the fountains. 

I then took Dyan to see Canopy Market. Here we perused the independent stalls selling their various wares of jewellery, paintings, clothing and the like. Dyan purchased a candle that, after a spot of haggling, she got £5 off, all the while food sellers tempted us with samples. We then made our way out of the market, back into the afternoon sun. Feeling thirsty we headed across the road to 'The Star of Kings' pub, where we sat outside with a drink, enjoying the afternoon sun. 

With time getting on we took a low walk back towards King's Cross station, where we boarded a Hammersmith & City line train, to Hammersmith, which we took to Baker Street. I purchased a coffee at the 'Starbucks' kiosk, before we boarded a Semi-fast Watford-bound train. Throughout the journey we talked about the day and what we each had planned for the weekend, before Dyan said "goodbye", at Harrow-on-the-Hill, from where she would continue her journey home.

As I continued my journey, fast approaching Northwood, Keilyn messaged me and told me to wait for her and mum at Moor Park, as they were fast approaching from the other direction. It is handy being able to track each other through Google Maps. So, I did as I was told and left the train and took a seat on the platform, while I awaited their arrival. Soon their train arrived and we waited together for the next Watford-bound train, which turned up six minutes later.

Within ten minutes we were back in Watford, climbing into a taxi and heading home.

Distance travelled:

• Bus - 0.0 miles (0.0 kms)
• Cable Car - 0.0 miles (0.0 kms)
• Car - 0.0 miles (0.0 kms)
• DLR - 0.0 miles (0.0 kms)
• Ferry - 0.0 miles (0.0 kms)
• Overground - 0.0 miles (0.0 kms)
• River Boat - 0.0 miles (0.0 kms)
• Taxi - 1.5 miles (0.0 kms)
• Train - 0.0 miles (0.0 kms)
• Tram - 0.0 miles (0.0 kms)
• Underground - 35.9 miles (57.77 kms)
• Walking - 6.09 miles (9.80 kms)