Parkland Walk: Walk Along An Abandoned Railway Line
Did you know London has its own bat cave?
I discovered this when I took a delightful stroll (well, 4 mile walk) from Alexandra Palace to Finsbury Park, it’s known as the Parkland Walk, but it I like to think of it as London’s version of New York’s High Line.
how to find it
First of it’s a pretty badly sign-posted trail, there’s a helpful map from Tired of London, Tired of Life here, but getting lost is part of the fun right?
You start from Alexandra Palace Way, heading past the Little Dinosaurs play centre, arriving on a raised railway line, an old mainline train service to Ally Pally.
The views are pretty good!
The path is totally overgrown but you can still make out hints of railway along it…
There’s sections of urban tunnels mixed in too;
Then you wander through Muswell Hill and take a detour through Hornbeam Wood, owned by the Corporation of London. If you keep looking out for the small Capital ring signs you stay on track!
Keep your eyes out for little plaques and signs too, we spotted this heart-wrenching bench dedication in Highgate Woods…
You pop out of the woods up a steep narrow path near Highgate Station. From there you can head towards the Boogaloo pub to find the next section of the walk.
Make sure you hang a left before continuing along the path towards Finsbury Park, you’ll spot some spooky-looking tunnels.
If you peer past the railings you’ll spot a sign confirming they’re protected bat caves in the old tube tunnels lead to Highgate Station!
Enough nature, fancy more tube remnants?
You’re in luck! In the last section of the walk there’s far more evidence of the railway line, with platforms and tunnels appearing along the walk.
The route used to be part of the London and North Eastern Railway, running from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace via Stroud Green, Crouch End, Highgate and Muswell Hill.
As well as great street art there’s also this slightly creepy sculpture of a green man. It’s known as the Spriggan Sculpture and is by Marilyn Collins;
The walk comes to end as you reach Finsbury Park, finishing with a colourful bridge across modern railway lines.
So if you’re looking to get back to nature but still want a walk with urban features then try the Parkland Walk. It was a glorious sunny day when I tried it, but it’s great all year round.
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