A capital day out....
What’s a girl to do on a warm spring day in North London? Why go county topping of course. After leaving my car for its pre-France service in Tottenham, I hopped on a 41 bus to Archway and from there I caught a 271 to Kenwood House. The 271 bus is a must for keen toppers as its route includes the high points of Islington (Highgate Hill 328ft) and Haringey (Hampstead Lane 381ft) as well as the top of the old county of London (and Camden 441ft), a bus stop in Spaniards Road, Hampstead, on its way to Brent Cross. It was a bit of shame that the actual top was an unmarked spot height somewhere near this bus stop.
The county of London is a bit of a Johnny-come-lately as it was formed in the late nineteenth century from the populous bits of Middlesex, Kent and Surrey. It was made up of historic boroughs like Holborn and Finsbury. In 1965 the Greater London Council was formed and 12 Inner London Boroughs emerged from the old county. Hampstead Heath lost its place as top spot to some interloping hills in the North Downs. The view from Hampstead Heath is spectacular and probably always has been. This photo doesn't really do it justice.
I thought it would be a bit of a cheat to ride the bus all the way to the top so I got out near Kenwood House and proceeded on foot. It was a gorgeous spring day and nannies were out in force. There were quite a lot of people at leisure in the middle of a working day. Hampstead Heath is managed by the Corporation of London who have kindly produced a guide to the many walking trails around the ponds, hills and hidden attractions.
The area also included the city of London geographically, but the city has always remained an autonomous corporation and is now the smallest of our ceremonial counties. The city of London is the oldest local authority in England. London doesn't have any real hills but it does slope up quite sharply from the Thames and the best place to see this is in the streets around Monument, like Lovat Lane or visit the delightful church of St Mary-at-Hill.
According to the trusty topping website the highest point of the city of London (72ft/ 22m) is the corner of Chancery Lane and Holborn but the road signs suggested that this was part of Camden. Not the most photegenic part of London, but well worth visiting, not least if you like shopping for jewellery at the London Silver Vaults or nearby Hatton Garden.
Honourable mention should go to Shooters Hill (at 433ft) the second highest top in the county of London and now top of Greenwich borough. The view towards London rivals Hampstead, although its probably best seen from the top of a bus. A few years ago Noddy and I followed the Green Chain Walk (section 3) to Shooters Hill and we had a great view over the Thames towards Dagenham. I could easily pick out the block of flats near my house (in the centre of the picture). On the south side of the hill is Oxleas Wood, also well worth a visit with fine views towards the North Downs.
What’s a girl to do on a warm spring day in North London? Why go county topping of course. After leaving my car for its pre-France service in Tottenham, I hopped on a 41 bus to Archway and from there I caught a 271 to Kenwood House. The 271 bus is a must for keen toppers as its route includes the high points of Islington (Highgate Hill 328ft) and Haringey (Hampstead Lane 381ft) as well as the top of the old county of London (and Camden 441ft), a bus stop in Spaniards Road, Hampstead, on its way to Brent Cross. It was a bit of shame that the actual top was an unmarked spot height somewhere near this bus stop.
The county of London is a bit of a Johnny-come-lately as it was formed in the late nineteenth century from the populous bits of Middlesex, Kent and Surrey. It was made up of historic boroughs like Holborn and Finsbury. In 1965 the Greater London Council was formed and 12 Inner London Boroughs emerged from the old county. Hampstead Heath lost its place as top spot to some interloping hills in the North Downs. The view from Hampstead Heath is spectacular and probably always has been. This photo doesn't really do it justice.
I thought it would be a bit of a cheat to ride the bus all the way to the top so I got out near Kenwood House and proceeded on foot. It was a gorgeous spring day and nannies were out in force. There were quite a lot of people at leisure in the middle of a working day. Hampstead Heath is managed by the Corporation of London who have kindly produced a guide to the many walking trails around the ponds, hills and hidden attractions.
The area also included the city of London geographically, but the city has always remained an autonomous corporation and is now the smallest of our ceremonial counties. The city of London is the oldest local authority in England. London doesn't have any real hills but it does slope up quite sharply from the Thames and the best place to see this is in the streets around Monument, like Lovat Lane or visit the delightful church of St Mary-at-Hill.
According to the trusty topping website the highest point of the city of London (72ft/ 22m) is the corner of Chancery Lane and Holborn but the road signs suggested that this was part of Camden. Not the most photegenic part of London, but well worth visiting, not least if you like shopping for jewellery at the London Silver Vaults or nearby Hatton Garden.
Honourable mention should go to Shooters Hill (at 433ft) the second highest top in the county of London and now top of Greenwich borough. The view towards London rivals Hampstead, although its probably best seen from the top of a bus. A few years ago Noddy and I followed the Green Chain Walk (section 3) to Shooters Hill and we had a great view over the Thames towards Dagenham. I could easily pick out the block of flats near my house (in the centre of the picture). On the south side of the hill is Oxleas Wood, also well worth a visit with fine views towards the North Downs. 
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