Length: 15½ km (9.6 miles), with many ways to shorten. Toughness: 4/10
Take a Northern line tube (High Barnet branch) to arrive at Highgate (TfL Zone 3) by 10:45. Go through the ticket barriers and turn left to meet by the Priory Gardens exit.
Slug-a-beds could take the tube one stop further and start from East Finchley (also Zone 3). If the main group manage to avoid the temptation of an early coffee stop in Highgate Wood they should be passing through this station at around 11:15.
This urban stroll through London's “Northern Heights” goes through plenty of woods and green spaces; as it often gets posted in winter it will be a pleasant change to experience them when they're leafy rather than leafless. There's much of interest to be seen along the way and if you're not familiar with this part of London it's worth skimming through the Features section at the start of the walk document.
A pub lunch is possible halfway round at the Old Bull & Bush in North End, with the nearby Refreshment House café in Golders Hill Park as an alternative. In mid-afternoon there's a large café at Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath; the house is free to visit but you can book in advance if you want to guarantee entry. There are lots of refreshment places in Hampstead if you're not in a hurry to get away.
Please bring the directions from the L=swc.257 page.
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After a bit of a wait, the 9 that had gathered at the station set off up a steep path into the lofty heights of Highgate. The weather was w=a-mix-of-sun-and-cloud No-one was waiting at East Finchley, but, by the time we had reached the big churches - and looked round the pointy one, a n=10 th had caught us up.
At lunchtime, most went to the cafe in Golders Hill Park and 3 to the Bull and Bush. No room inside, but it was warm enough outside.
We done all the sights - woods, parks, posh looking streets, the impressive, if run-down pergola. (Seen better days, that one). We done the zoo (lemurs, donkeys kookaburras etc.) but the butterfly house was shut.
A stop at Burgh house for cakes and tea then, after another steep climb, a visit to the Holly Bush inn. It was not the best place to finish an energetic walk. No room inside and standing room only on the pavement outside. Luckily, we found a space by the bins. So this is how posh people enjoy themselves. Mr Tiger had been spurred on by the promise of an 8% cider, but there was none to be had there. They did have ESB, which was of some solace.
So ended another grand day out.
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