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.

Severndroog Castle and Tea Room

Severndroog Castle.

Sunday June 30, 2024.

It was a beautiful summer morning as Keilyn and I visited Severndroog Castle and Tea Room, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. It was a place that I wanted to visit for a while, but finding a Sunday when we were both free, plus ensuring that we picked a clear day, had always been tricky. 

We took the Metropolitan line to Finchley Road, where we changed to the Jubilee line to North Greenwich. From here we clambered aboard the 486 bus towards Bexleyheath, grabbing the front seats on the top deck, at which point the heavens opened and it began to rain... hard.

Fortunately it stopped as we stepped from the bus, at Memorial Hospital and walked the 10 minutes to Castle Wood and Severndroog Castle.

A covered area to enjoy tea and cake.

We stopped for a hot drink in the Tea Room before we ascended the spiral stairs to each of the floors, checking out the shop and various rooms, before we went up on to the viewing platform.

Looking out across London.

Although the rain had stopped it was still slightly overcast, but the views were quite impressive. 

Keilyn is Queen of the Castle.

A volunteer was on hand to point out various locations, relating to the James family, along with pointing out the landmarks that could be seen. There was even a box of binoculars, which Keilyn enjoyed looking through.

Walking with Keilyn: Severndroog Castle to Woolwich... and beyond

Royal Victoria Docks from Connaught Bridge.

Sunday June 30, 2024.

It was a slightly overcast morning as Keilyn and I hopped into a taxi and headed to Watford underground station, to start another epic walk.

Metropolitan line to Finchley Road, then Jubilee line to North Greenwich and finally a 486 bus towards Bexleyheath, grabbing the front seats on the top deck, although our walk would start form Shooter's Hill.

As soon as we boarded the bus the rain, which had been threatening all morning, finally made an appearance, but it didn't dampen our spirits, as the bus meandered its way towards Shooter's Hill. Thankfully, as we alighted from the bus, the rain stopped and slowly the clouds began to lift, as we made the short walk to Castle Woods and our first stop of the day... Severndroog Castle.

Severndroog Castle.

Now, this is not really a castle, but a folly or memorial, and it is unique in design, being three-sided. It is an 18th century Gothic Tower, with a viewing platform on its roof, which, on a clear day, allows you to look out across London to the edges of the six counties that surround her (seven for those who still include Middlesex).

Due to staffing and technical issues the Castle was late opening, but we could still avail ourselves the use of the Tea Room, which we promptly did. 

Suitably refreshed we were informed that the Tower was now open. So, with Keilyn leading the way, we made our way up the spiral staircase and found ourselves in the Lady James Room, where a small shop was set out, with information boards and a model of the Folly. It was here that we purchased our tickets for the viewing platform. Thankfully I had some cash on me, as the card machine was still causing issues for the volunteers.

This model is actually a money box.

We then headed up to the next floor and the William James Room, which is now a community, learning and exhibition space. 

Heading up to the Viewing Platform.

Then it was up to the roof, where we discovered that, although it was still overcast, the views were incredible. A volunteer handed us both a pair of binoculars and began pointing out various points of interest, related to the James family, along with other landmarks. 

As the viewing platform is 151 metres (496 feet) above sea level, you can see out over the tree canopy of Castle Wood and Oxleas Woodlands, which is one of the last remaining ancient woodlands in London, Parakeets flew by, below us, while a Woodpecker could heard somewhere in the trees ahead of us, too. We took our time checking out the view, as with every passing minute the clouds lifted a little more, until we could see Battersea Power Station, the mast at Crystal Palace and so much more.

Slightly overcast, but still an incredible view.

Once we had seen all that we could we thanked the volunteer and made our way back into the folly, stopping to sign the visitor's book and peruse the shop, before heading back out into Castle Woods, ready to begin our walk proper.

The Old Royal Military Academy.

Reaching Shooter's Hill we followed the road westward, before turning north onto South Circular Road, heading towards Woolwich. We passed the old Royal Military Academy, which has now been turned into private apartments, before we reached our second place of interest... St George's Garrison Church.

The exterior of St George's Garrison Church.

This was another place that I had wanted to visit for quite a while. But, like Severndroog Castle, it is only open on Sundays. 

The ruins and the memorial gardens.

Making our way through the gates we made our way to what is left of the church, with its canopy protecting the mosaics and brickwork from the elements. As I studied the mosaic and the Victoria Cross Memorial, Keilyn took herself off to look at the Memorial Gardens. 

St George's Garrison Church Memorial Gardens.

I soon joined her, before we started talking with a volunteer who explained what and how the Trust worked and their plans for the future. There is a lot going on with this historic ruin, that will preserve it for future generations, and I cannot wait to go back and see how it all turns out.

St George's Garrison Church Altar and Mosaics.

On leaving the ruin we continued towards Woolwich High Street, where we bought lunch and rested, as the sun had now burnt through the clouds, raising the temperature, allowing us to remove our jackets.