We have two late entries for our list of December walks, so if you would like a break over the Christmas period, the following two walks provide excellent opportunities to get out and explore.
WATERWAYS, WHARVES AND WAREHOUSES – A GUIDED WALK
Today the tow path is open to all, lined with colourful houseboats, waterside apartments and offices, well-used by walkers, cyclists and joggers. We use it to experience a bit of calm and quiet away from the bustle of the shops and the cars. But it wasn’t always so lovely.
This 200-year-old waterway from Paddington to Limehouse has a rich history. It was constructed to link the north of England to London’s docklands on the River Thames providing a low-impact distribution network for heavy goods. The businesses that lined the water’s edge were dirty, noisy, dangerous hives of industry and manufacture.
The canal follows the boundary between Islington (old Finsbury) and Hackney (old Shoreditch) and along the way you’ll hear about the various products that were manufactured, stored and distributed from the wharves here. Find out why the tow paths became no-go zones and the old warehouse buildings fell into disuse. And learn how the area was later regenerated and transformed into the environment that we see and enjoy today.
- The walk begins and ends at City Road Basin, mid-way between Angel and Old Street tube stations, and lasts just approx 2 hours.
- The exact meeting point will be clearly described on your ticket and confirmation – these will both be sent via email after purchase.
- Please do not rely on maps supplied through other non-Eventbrite apps can sometimes give incorrect/vague information.
This walk takes place on Sunday the 24th of December at 11:00. Click here to book.
OH WHAT A CIRCUS; THE ELEPHANTS ESCAPE – A GUIDED WALK
In 1884 Sanger’s Circus came to the south-east corner of Parliament Fields. Some of the animals and vehicles arrived via rail and, during the unloading process, two of the four performing elephants got unusually spooked and broke free of the yard, fleeing through nearby streets, causing mayhem and excitement along the way.
Ida and Palm’s journey ended in N19 where they had managed to trap themselves in a basement space between two residential houses. Luckily, the elephants were unharmed, although there were some extraneous casualties along the way, and, after being rescued, they walked to the circus site and the show went on as planned, no doubt better attended than previously expected.
This walking tour follows the whole of the elephants’ rampaging route to see the kind of obstacles these two lost and confused beasts would have experienced along the way.
We’ll admire Georgian streets, Victorian terraces, cobbled lanes and narrow little alleys including a row of cottages in Little Green Street which was only recently saved from demolition. Learn about the real “Greatest Showman” and what was one of the biggest circus companies in the world at that time. Hear about music, Margate and monkeys. See how the arrival of railways changed the area. It all helps to make this a really evocative tour.
As per my other walks, I will be pointing out other things of interest along the way including ghostsigns and film locations.
- The walk lasts approx two hours, starting near Gospel Oak station and ending amid-way between Tufnell Park and Archway stations.
- The exact meeting point will be clearly described on your ticket and confirmation – these will both be sent via email after purchase.
- Please do not rely on maps supplied through other non-Eventbrite apps can sometimes give incorrect/vague information.
This walk takes place on Thursday the 28th of December at 11:00. Click here to book.
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