Climbing Moss

We are finally at the end of the our own first walk of London and this is the last Section taking us from Clissold Park all the way back to St. Paul’s Cathedral where it all began, here’s what to expect.

Section 24 could be termed ‘The Pub Crawl Section’, or ‘The Saint’s Section’, because right from the start it is a series of short walks passing by a lot of pubs and well what better way to end a walk of London than taking a break or ten and stopping off for a half every so often. We didn’t partake in the pubs (much) but the option is there and we will mention our choices should you wish to do it this way!

It could alternatively be called o’The Saint’s Section’, count how many ‘St.’ road and churches are mentioned!

So start off at the bottom or Northern end of Clissold Park by the Park Keeper’s Cottage [or at The Brownswood Tavern 100m along the main road]. Start by the ponds, (these aren’t anything to do with the New River), instead walk south up the hill alongside the road and then left or go directly across the large grass area if it’s not too muddy.

At the top of the hill you’ll discover another section of The New River that has re-emerged and been extended about 10-15 years ago. Follow the water around, (you could cut across the bridge but going around is more fun), go past the Hoare House, where you can get coffee but we would strongly recommend you don’t!

To your left is St. Mary’s New Church with it’s great spire, but turn away from this and cross the old iron bridge and follow the path, passing the Deer Enclosure, the Aviary and the Goat’s Enclosure, to walk around the animal’s areas before turning back South through the park and head to the Church St gate and exit the park. [Stopping at The Clissold Park Tavern for refreshments!], or just turn left and then Right into Clissold Crescent.

Before World War 2 there was a bridge here and the NR followed the road inside the park, turning under the road and up Aden Terrace, but a V2 bomb changed all that and these days the river runs along under allotments that now fill the space, this is the path you take too. At the top end of the communal gardens emerge back on Green Lanes, cross it and follow Petherton Road.

The central green is directly over the river’s conduit and you follow this all the way along the avenue, passing roundabouts and junctions, railway bridges and passing [or stopping briefly at The Snooty Fox – a so called Craft Beer Pub, It isn’t], before crossing St. Paul’s Road and entering another section of the New River Walk, a pretty and maintained section in-between the surreally juxtaposed huge Housing Estate to your left and the Private Roads and extremely expensive houses of Canonbury Park to your Right (Tony Blair’s former home is the last house at the end of the walk before the main road).

Follow the New River Walk [passing or stopping at The Marquess Tavern – a bit pricey but more a gastro than an actual pub and then the Myddleton Arms a small trendy bar, not bad though].

Cross New North Road and follow Astey’s Row Gardens where the water once more vanishes under-ground. Emerge at the end onto Essex Road, turn right and follow the main A104 road west [a brief stop in The Alpaca is called for a really nice pub, now it is no longer The Rose!]

Continue along the main road [stopping of course at The Queen’s Head, if only to stare at the ceiling while sipping a half!] and then on turning down the alleyway that is Elliot’s Place, the natural course of the river. Turn right and follow the road across St. Peter’s Street and along Colebrooke Row where after a few hundred metres another garden of the hidden River pops up for you to walk along.

At the other end cross City Road and Goswell Road past the clock tower [A passageway opposite leads into The Red Lion Theatre pub whose main entrance is on St. John’s Street for when you leave!]

Follow the bike path to emerge on St. John’s St, crossing the main road, into the side road and turning left into Arlington Way, [you’ll find The Harlequin – a dainty little establishment and then the Shakespeare’s Head – a throw back to the 70’s pub].

If you want to see where all that water from the New River goes/went, take the alleyway passage alongside the pub into Myddleton Passage and at the end just before the bend is the entrance to the water Filtration centre and the New River Head (however it is often closed so check ahead of time!) Otherwise just keep walking down Arlington Way with by the Sadler’s Wells Theatre on your left, (you can just about see the well of the New River Head to your right in the grounds).

Cross Rosebery Avenue through another little park and then out, bare left and head towards Exmouth Market/Lever Street [Stop off at The Coin Laundry for a trendy half].

Continue and walk between the parks of Spa Fields, passing the massive old Victorian School, now converted into luxury flats and the church of St. James’ Clerkenwell Green, turn down Jerusalem Passage [The Dovetail is a little bar with 100’s of craft beers in a tiny location].

On Clerkenwell Square the Church of St. John’s Priory which has a pretty garden for a sit down [but no beer, although the monks did used to brew a fine Mead here in the past!]

Cross Clerkenwell Road and pass through the last remaining Gatehouse of the old City of London aka St. John’s Gate walk along the back road and out onto St. John’s Street, to end up walking through Smithfield Meat Market, with it’s ornate and funky Purple and Green decor, [stopping off for a much needed half at The Butcher’s Hook and Cleaver]. Continue alongside St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and down Little Britain (Not the TV show, the road!)

Once on Little Britain follow it and all will suddenly seem familiar as you retrace the first steps of the walk, taking you back to Canon Alley and in front of you the garden’s of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

St. Paul’s is the final stop of the Climbing-Moss Heart of London Walk (and bike ride and occasional bus ride!!)

Congratulation if you have done it, you have completed one hundred and thirty miles (210km) of walking around the great capital.

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Well there you go, the first Climbing-moss.com walk and we are already plotting the next, so get those walking boots on and get out there, follow the sections and see what you discover in this great city and post your discoveries on Social Media with the hashtag #cmhol so we all get to see them.

[Oh and if you need a drink after all that then we would recommend walking down to The Old Bailey and popping in to the Magpie and Stump, for maybe just 1 to finish off the day!]