Significance: Highest peak in Westmorland (Historic CT)
Member of: Furth, Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall, Wainwright, Birkett
Parent Peak: Scafell Pike
Elevation: 950m
Date climbed: 10th June 2018
Coordinates: 54.5268° N, 3.0172° W
Route Start / End: Circular from Patterdale Hotel, A592, Penrith, CA11 0NN
Route Distance: 14.7 km (9.1 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 848m
Subsidiary tops on route: High Spying How (Striding Edge: 863m), Catstye Cam (890m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap), The Ullswater Way
OS Trig Pillar: TP3724 - Helvellyn
Map: OS Explorer OL5: The English Lakes North Eastern Area
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (Westmorland), Wikipedia (Helvellyn), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

We did Helvellyn in the same trip as Old Man of Coniston. This was a long weekend in the Lakes to complete the Historic County Tops in the area. We would have also included Scafell Pike if I hadn’t already done it several times and, after the last one, decided to never go back.

Helvellyn is an icon of the Lake District and often considered to be one of England’s best walks. We had a great time on outperform trek there so I can relate to those reviews. We started at the hotel next to the Patterdale Hotel and followed the track that follows the route of the St Bees to Shap section of the Coast to Coast Walk.

When ascending in this clockwise direction you’ll approach the summit via Striding Edge. I’m not a big fan of ridges like these but this was a lot of fun. We had the advantage of good visibility and dry conditions. However, the weather forecasted rain soon so we didn’t hang around too much. That was just as well as an icy downpour started just as we reached the plateau at the summit. We got a good view of walkers behind us getting drenched.

From the Trig Pillar at the summit we saw mini cyclones in the distance and rapidly moving clouds. Fortunately they were moving away from us so we had avoided much of day’s rain. After lunch at the summit we continued our clockwise route, descending via Swirral Edge. It’s another challenging route, but not as tricky as Striding Edge and easier to do as a descent. Even so, the route was now very wet so we took it easy.

Once off Swiral Edge (which I always misremember as Squirrel Edge), we were back in easy terrain, following the path back to the Patterdale Hotel

Back to English County Tops Index

Richard gower10 June 2018Trek, UK County Tops, Trig Pillar, Westmorland, Mountain, Lake District, National Park, EnglandComment

Old Man of Coniston: Lancashire County Top

Also known as: Coniston Old Man
Significance: Highest Peak in Lancashire (Historic CT)
Member of: Hewitt, Marilyn, Nuttall, Wainwright, Aetherius Society Holy Mountains
Parent Peak: Scafell Pike. NHN = Crinkle Crags-South Top
Elevation: 803m
Date climbed: 09/06/2018
Coordinates: 54.3701° N, 3.1199° W
Route Start / End: Circular from Holly How YHA, Coniston
Route Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 728m
Subsidiary tops on route: Brim Fell (796m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
OS Trig Pillar: TP2382 - Coniston Old Man
OS Map: Outdoor Leisure 6: The English Lakes South Western Area
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (Lancashire), Wikipedia (Old Man of Coniston), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

We did the Old Man of Coniston in the same trip as Helvellyn . This was a long weekend in the Lakes to complete the Historic County Tops in the area. We would have also included Scafell Pike if I hadn’t already done it several times and, after the last one, decided to never go back.

We were staying in the YHA Coniston Holly How so had the advantage of doing a circular trek from the door of the hostel. An alternative start point is the Old Station Car Park in the centre of Coniston.

We took the footpath on the north side of the YHA to join another path heading in a south-westerly direction around the edge of Round Haw and Mouldry Bank. This curves to a north-westerly direction roughly following the course of the Red Dell Beck stream. Don't follow this all the way though as you'll need to take the paths that lead you to Levers Water.

Continue around the southern edge of Levers Water ascending to the west until you meet a path that connects Great How Crags with the Old Man of Coniston summit. Take a left onto this path and follow it in a southerly direction to the summit.

After the summit continue on the path to the south-east (not the path that leads directly south). This will curve to the north-east as you descend to the north-east corner of Low Water. From here take the easterly path for ~2km until you meet the Church Beck stream. Continue along this path following the stream as it curves to the south-east and leads you to Coniston town centre.

If you're staying at the YHA it's less than 1km up Yewdale Road from Coniston Town centre.

OTHER HIGH POINTS IN Lancashire

Gragareth (628m) Lancashire Ceremonial County (alternative): Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Green Hill (627m) Lancashire Ceremonial County (alternative): Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Blackstone Edge (474m) Rochdale Unitary Authority High Point (alternative): Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Hail Storm Hill-Southeast Slope (474m) Rochdale Unitary Authority High Point (alternative): Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Winter Hill (456m) Blackburn with Darwen Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Winter Hill Boundary (447m) Bolton Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Scholes Height (415m) Bury Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Billinge Hill (179m) Merseyside Ceremonial County and St Helens Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Billinge Hill - North Top (169m) Wigan Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Greenheys (Newcombe Drive) (116m) Salford Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Heaton Park (108m) Manchester Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Appleton Park (105m) Warrington Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Knowsley Park (100m) Knowsley Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Woolton Hill (89m) Liverpool Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Melling Mount (36m) Sefton Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging
Warbreck Reservoir (34m) Blackpool Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger / Hillbagging

Back to English County Tops Index

Richard gower9 June 2018Trek, UK County Tops, Mountain, Trig Pillar, Lake District, National Park, Lancashire, EnglandComment

LonDone: Completing all Greater London parkruns

LonDone is the term for completing all parkrun events in Greater London. There are currently 65 parkrun events in Greater London. The first was Bushy Park which started on October 2nd 2004 and the newest is Greenwich Peninsula which started on November 29th 2025.

I first completed LonDone on June 3rd 2018 at Catford which was the 52nd London event at the time.

Morden Hall was held as a one-off parkrun event on June 6th 2009 as part of the Wandle Valley Festival. Victoria Dock is the only long-running Greater London parkrun event that has been permanently cancelled.

There are also other terms: LonDone + for completing all parkruns within the M25. The definition of LonDone ++ is a little more debatable. See my LonDone + page for details.

Numbers exclude any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

Greater London parkruns by Borough

The London Boroughs are the 32 local authority districts that together with the City of London make up the administrative area of Greater London.

Bromley and Greenwich have the most parkruns events with 5 each.
There are 2 boroughs that do not currently have a parkrun event: Kensington and Chelsea and the City of Westminster.
The City of London also doesn’t have a parkrun event. Due to its small size and lack of green spaces it’s unlikely to ever have one.
4 parkrun events share their name with the borough that they are in: Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Southwark.
Another 6 parkrun events have all or part of their name in the name of the borough that they are in: Barking, Fulham Palace, Hackney Marshes, Kingston, Richmond Park and Walthamstow.

The table above shows parkrun events listed by London Borough where the current start line is located. Most events are fully within the boundaries of their respective borough, however some cross borders. Events in italics with a * have explanations below. Thanks to the members of the various Facebook parkrun groups for input on these. Events like Clapham Common may be under the jurisdiction of a borough council but shown above in a different borough due to the start line location.

Clapham Common has the start and finish in Wandsworth although the course crosses into the eastern side of the Common which is part of Lambeth. The event is under Lambeth jurisdiction (thanks to Cal Jones for this info), although I’ve listed it under Wandsworth in the table for consistency of where the start point is.

Crane Park parkrun is half in Hounslow borough and half in Richmond - as the river Crane is the boundary. On the current course the start is in Hounslow and the finish in Richmond (thanks to Mike Dennison for this info).
Kingston parkrun starts and ends in Kingston upon Thames and crosses over into Richmond upon Thames in the middle section (thanks to Mike Dennison for this info).
Roundshaw Down parkrun has the briefing in Croydon, the start line just over the border in Sutton, and the finish in Croydon. Much of the course is in Sutton with the eastern edge in Croydon. (thanks to Robert Butlin for this info).
The Wanstead Flats course is in Redbridge, although the post-code for the Harrow Road Pavilion is in neighboring Waltham Forest. This is presumably because the entrance to the Pavilion is off Harrow Road which is right on the border.
Wimbledon Common parkrun is mostly in Wandsworth although the finish line and funnel is inside the Merton boundary - the Wandsworth border is a few metres north of the drinking trough next to the finish line. The old Wimbledon Common parkrun course, which was used as an alternative course (due to hornets on the usual course) in 2016 was entirely in Merton (thanks to Charles Leonard for this info).

Greater London parkruns by Historic County

Before the creation of Greater London, the area was split between 5 Historic Counties:

23 Greater London parkrun events were previously in the historic county of Middlesex. Hazelwood is the only parkrun event that was in Middlesex but is not now in Greater London.

17 Greater London parkrun events were previously in the historic county of Surrey. The Riddlesdown event crosses the current border of Greater London and present-day Surrey but is classified as London.
15 Greater London parkrun events were previously in the historic county of Kent. Both Crystal Palace and Bethlem Royal Hospital cross the border of Historic Surrey and Kent, but the parkrun courses are mostly on the Kent side.
9 Greater London parkrun events were previously in the historic county of Essex. Hackney Marshes was all inside Middlesex when I did it in 2014, however the new course now starts and ends on the east side of the River Lea in Essex but still has most of the route in Middlesex.
1 Greater London parkrun event (Oak Hill) was previously in the historic county of Hertfordshire

All of the London parkrun events …

Below are each of the Greater London parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.co.uk for the current course outline.
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram details are based primarily on the public transport description in the Course page for each event plus input submitted by readers of this page.
See the LonDone parkrun travel connections page for more details on stations, driving and facilities.

parkrun LonDone Tracker

If you would like a PDF version of my manual LonDone tracker, please BuyMeACoffee and let me know on the Contact Page. It’s a table of all current Greater London parkrun events, plus all events inside the M25, with space for future new events. You can track your date completed and finish time. It’s simple and you could easily make one yourself, but let me know if you want a copy of mine. 20% of each virtual coffee goes to parkrun and the rest goes toward the running of this website.

Ally Pally

I completed this event on: January 1st 2015 with a finish time of: 27:01
Other routes touched: Alexandra Palace and the Parkland Walk Circular
Greater London Borough: Haringey
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: December 3rd 2011
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Alexandra Palace (National Rail via Great Northern, Thameslink). Walking Distance: 0.3 miles (0.48 km). Alternative: Wood Green (Tube).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26687977-map-full - Ally Pally.png

Avery Hill

I completed this event on: May 13th 2017 with a finish time of: 34:07
Other routes touched (walk): Shuttle Riverway
Greater London Borough: Greenwich
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: March 6th 2010
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Falconwood (National Rail via southeastern). Walking Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up
Greenwich parkrun changed its name to Avery Hill parkrun in March 2025. The last event under the name Greenwich parkrun was on March 1, 2025 (Event 731). The event is still held in the same location, Avery Hill Park, in Eltham. This change was made because the event's original name, Greenwich parkrun, was sometimes confusing for visitors as the course is not located in Greenwich Park.

Barking

I completed this event on: October 28th 2017 with a finish time of: 26:40
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Barking and Dagenham
Historic County: Essex
Inaugural: July 28th 2012
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Barking (National Rail via c2c. Overground. Underground via Bakerloo, District, Hammersmith & City). Walking Distance: 0.6 miles (0.96 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Battersea

I completed this event on: December 28th 2024 with a finish time of: 28:30
Other routes touched: N/A, although the Thames Path runs through the park.
Greater London Borough: Wandsworth
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: October 12th 2024
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Battersea Power Station (Underground via Northern). Walking Distance: 1 miles (1.6 km). Alternatives: South Kensington and Sloane Square (Tube). Battersea Park Overground & National Rail.
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, Blog7t write-up

Beckenham Place

I completed this event on: February 3rd 2018 with a finish time of: 25:51
Other routes touched (walk): Green Chain Walk, Capital Ring
Greater London Borough: Lewisham
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: November 19th 2016
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Beckenham Hill (National Rail via Thameslink). Walking Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km). Alternative: Beckenham Junction (Tram).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26812051-map-full - Beckenham Place.png

Beckton

I completed this event on: January 6th 2017 with a finish time of: 27:28
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 13
Greater London Borough: Newham
Historic County: Essex
Inaugural: June 2nd 2012
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Royal Albert (DLR). Walking Distance: 0.3 miles (0.48 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Bedfont Lakes

I completed this event on: January 18th 2014 with a finish time of: 24:13
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Hounslow
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: May 9th 2009
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Ashford (National Rail via South Western). Walking Distance: 1.1 miles (1.76 km). Alternative: Hatton Cross (Tube, then take a bus).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26691576-map-full - Bedfont Lakes.png

Bethlem Royal Hospital

I completed this event on: May 25th 2019 with a finish time of: 25:15
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Bromley
Historic County: Surrey & Kent (course is on the border of the 2 counties)
Inaugural: May 25th 2019
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Eden Park (National Rail via southeastern). Walking Distance: 0.7 miles (1.12 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-30082943-map-full - Bethlem Royal Hospital.png

Bexley

I completed this event on: March 31st 2018 with a finish time of: 26:13
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Bexley
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: February 4th 2012
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Welling (National Rail via southeastern). Walking Distance: 1.2 miles (1.92 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Brockwell

I completed this event on: May 26th 2018 with a finish time of: 27:28
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Lambeth
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: December 11th 2010
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Herne Hill (National Rail via southeastern, Thameslink). Walking Distance: 0.4 miles (0.64 km). Alternative: Brixton (Tube).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Bromley

I completed this event on: March 17th 2018 with a finish time of: 26:38
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Bromley
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: August 29th 2009
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Bromley South (National Rail via southeastern, Thameslink). Walking Distance: 0.9 miles (1.44 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Burgess

I completed this event on: December 2nd 2017 with a finish time of: 25:17
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 425
Greater London Borough: Southwark
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: September 22nd 2012
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Elephant & Castle (National Rail via southeastern, Thameslink, Underground via Bakerloo, Northern). Walking Distance: 1 miles (1.6 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Bushy Park

I completed this event on: March 1st 2014 with a finish time of: 23:30
Other routes touched (walk): London Loop
Greater London Borough: Richmond upon Thames
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: October 2nd 2004
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Hampton Court (National Rail via South Western). Walking Distance: 0.8 miles (1.28 km). Alternative: Teddington (Train), Hampton Wick (Train)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Canons Park

I completed this event on: November 12th 2016 with a finish time of: 26:03
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Harrow
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: October 8th 2016
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Canons Park (Underground via Jubilee). Walking Distance: 0.4 miles (0.64 km). Alternative: Harrow & Wealdstone (Train)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26692769-map-full - Canons Park.png

Catford

I completed this event on: June 2nd 2018 with a finish time of: 25:47
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Lewisham
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: April 28th 2018
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Hither Green (National Rail via southeastern). Walking Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km). Alternative: Catford, Catford Bridge.
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Charlton

I completed this event on: December 4th 2021 with a finish time of: 25:13
Other routes touched (walk): Capital Ring
Greater London Borough: Greenwich
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: October 2nd 2021
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Charlton (National Rail via southeastern, Thameslink). Walking Distance: 0.8 miles (1.28 km). Alternative: DLR Woolwich, North Greenwich (Jubilee).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Clapham Common

I completed this event on: April 14th 2018 with a finish time of: 25:41
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Start and finish in Wandsworth although the course crosses into the eastern side of the Common which is part of Lambeth. The event is under Lambeth jurisdiction (thanks to Cal Jones for this info).
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: March 24th 2018
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Clapham South (Underground via Northern). Walking Distance: 0.4 miles (0.64 km). Alternative: Clapham Junction (Train)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-27242928-map-full - Clapham Common.png

Crane Park

I completed this event on: October 4th 2014 with a finish time of: 24:24
Other routes touched (walk): London Loop
Greater London Borough: Crane Park parkrun is half in Hounslow borough and half in Richmond - as the river Crane is the boundary. On the current course the start is in Hounslow and the finish in Richmond (thanks to Mike Dennison for this info).
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: June 9th 2012
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Whitton (National Rail via South Western). Walking Distance: 1.1 miles (1.76 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26693240-map-full - Crane Park.png

Crystal Palace

I completed this event on: December 17th 2016 with a finish time of: 26:23
Other routes touched (walk): Capital Ring
Greater London Borough: Bromley
Historic County: Surrey & Kent (course is on the border of the 2 counties)
Inaugural: May 29th 2010
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Penge West (National Rail via Southern. Overground). Walking Distance: 0.2 miles (0.32 km). Alternative: Penge East (Train), Crystal Palace (Train, Overground).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26693297-map-full - Crystal Palace.png

Dulwich

I completed this event on: October 22nd 2016 with a finish time of: 25:18
Other routes touched (walk): Green Chain Walk
Greater London Borough: Southwark
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: April 14th 2012
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: West Dulwich (National Rail via southeastern). Walking Distance: 0.8 miles (1.28 km). Alternative: North Dulwich.
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Finsbury Park

I completed this event on: January 24th 2015 with a finish time of: 28:06
Other routes touched (walk): Capital Ring, New River Path
Greater London Borough: Haringey
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: October 31st 2009
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Finsbury Park (National Rail via Great Northern, Thameslink. Overground. Underground via Piccadilly, Victoria). Walking Distance: 0.4 miles (0.64 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Foots Cray Meadows

I completed this event on: October 20th 2018 with a finish time of: 28:36
Other routes touched (walk): N/A but runs very close to the London Loop and Cray Riverway
Greater London Borough: Bexley
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: July 21st 2018
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Albany Park (National Rail via southeastern). Walking Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-28813016-map-full - Foots Cray Meadows.png

Fulham Palace

I completed this event on: October 19th 2013 with a finish time of: 23:28
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path
Greater London Borough: Hammersmith and Fulham
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: October 19th 2013
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Putney Bridge (Underground via District). Walking Distance: 0.6 miles (0.96 km). Alternative: Putney.
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26705528-map-full - Fulham Palace.png

Gladstone

I completed this event on: November 1st 2014 with a finish time of: 24:14
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Brent
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: June 30th 2012
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Dollis Hill (Underground via Jubilee). Walking Distance: 1.1 miles (1.76 km). Alternative: Cricklewood.
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Greenwich Peninsula

I have not yet completed this event
Greater London Borough: Greenwich
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: November 29th 2025
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: North Greenwich (Underground via Jubilee). Walking Distance: 0.3 miles (0.48 km). Alternative: Charlton (Train).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Grovelands

I completed this event on: January 1st 2015 with a finish time of: 25:24
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Enfield
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: July 24th 2010
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Winchmore Hill (National Rail via Great Northern, Thameslink). Walking Distance: 0.8 miles (1.28 km). Alternative: Southgate (Tube).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26708052-map-full - Grovelands.png

Gunnersbury

I completed this event on: March 8th 2014 with a finish time of: 23:11
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Hounslow
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: October 29th 2011
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Acton Town (Underground via District, Piccadilly). Walking Distance: 0.6 miles (0.96 km). Alternative: Kew Bridge (Rail).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26709332-map-full - Gunnersbury.png

Hackney Marshes

I completed this event on: January 1st 2014 with a finish time of: 25:12
Other routes touched (walk): Lea Valley Walk / Lea Canal Towpath
Greater London Borough: Hackney
Historic County: the course was all inside Middlesex when I did it in 2014, however the new course now starts and ends on the east side of the River Lea in Essex but still has most of the route in Middlesex
Inaugural: May 29th 2010
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Hackney Wick (Overground). Walking Distance: 1.1 miles (1.76 km). Alternative: Stratford International DLR
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26764414-map-full - Hackney Marshes.png

Hampstead Heath

I completed this event on: January 4th 2014 with a finish time of: 26:31
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Camden
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: May 14th 2011
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Hampstead Heath (Overground). Walking Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km). Alternative: Hampstead (Tube).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26764414-map-full - Hampstead Heath.png

Hanworth

I completed this event on: June 15th 2019 with a finish time of: 27:24
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Hounslow
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: May 4th 2019
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Feltham (National Rail via South Western). Walking Distance: 0.9 miles (1.44 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Harrow

I completed this event on: November 7th 2015 with a finish time of: 25:24
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Harrow
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: May 9th 2015
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Harrow on the Hill (National Rail via Chiltern Railways. Underground via Metropolitan). Walking Distance: 0.4 miles (0.64 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Harrow Lodge

I completed this event on: March 25th 2017 with a finish time of: 25:33
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Havering
Historic County: Essex
Inaugural: January 12th 2013
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Elm Park (Underground via District, Hammersmith & City). Walking Distance: 0.6 miles (0.96 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Highbury Fields

I completed this event on: January 1st 2014 with a finish time of: 25:13
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 162
Greater London Borough: Islington
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: November 12th 2011
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Highbury & Islington (National Rail via Great Northern. Overground. Underground via Victoria). Walking Distance: 0.2 miles (0.32 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26787436-map-full - Highbury Fields.png

Hilly Fields

I completed this event on: May 27th 2017 with a finish time of: 26:53
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Lewisham
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: September 8th 2012
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Ladywell (National Rail via South Western). Walking Distance: 0.4 miles (0.64 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26787486-map-full - Hilly Fields.png

Hoblingwell

I completed this event on: February 10th 2018 with a finish time of: 26:02
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Bromley
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: July 15th 2017
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: St Mary Cray (National Rail via southeastern, Thameslink). Walking Distance: 0.8 miles (1.28 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26850603-map-full - Hoblingwell.png

Ingrebourne Hill

I completed this event on: March 29th 2025 with a finish time of: 26:57
Other routes touched: London Loop, Ingrebourne Way
Greater London Borough: Havering
Historic County: Essex
Inaugural: December 14th 2024
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Rainham (National Rail via c2c). Walking Distance: 0.7 miles (1.1 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Kingston

I completed this event on: January 3rd 2015 with a finish time of: 25:26
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Greater London Borough: Starts and ends in Kingston upon Thames and crosses over into Richmond upon Thames in the middle section (thanks to Mike Dennison for this info).
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: March 20th 2010
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Hampton Wick (National Rail via South Western). Walking Distance: 1.7 miles (2.72 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Lloyd

I completed this event on: October 1st 2016 with a finish time of: 26:08
Other routes touched (walk): Vanguard Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 232
Greater London Borough: Croydon
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: October 23rd 2010
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Lloyd Park (Tram). Walking Distance: >0.1 miles (>0.1 km). Alternative: East Croydon (Rail)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Lordship Recreation Ground

I completed this event on: November 12th 2022 with a finish time of: 25:26
Other routes touched: None
Greater London Borough: Haringey
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: October 22nd 2022
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Turnpike Lane (Underground via Piccadilly). Walking Distance: 0.8 miles (1.28 km). Alternative: Bruce Grove (Overground)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Mile End

I completed this event on: April 22nd 2017 with a finish time of: 26:02
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1. (walk): Jubilee Greenway
Greater London Borough: Tower Hamlets
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: February 4th 2012
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Mile End (Underground via Central, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City). Walking Distance: 0.6 miles (0.96 km). Alternative: Limehouse (Train, DLR).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Morden

I completed this event on: August 24th 2024 with a finish time of: 26:42
Other routes touched (cycle): None, although NCN 208 runs very close to the north-eastern edge of the course.
Greater London Borough: Merton
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: June 15th 2024
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Morden South (National Rail via Thameslink). Walking Distance: 0.4 miles (0.64 km). Alternative: Morden (Tube)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Northala Fields

I completed this event on: July 26th 2014 with a finish time of: 23:58
Other routes touched: N/A
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Greater London Borough: Ealing
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: June 21st 2014
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Northolt (Underground via Central). Walking Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26811183-map-full - Northala Fields.png

Oak Hill

I completed this event on: January 10th 2015 with a finish time of: 24:58
Other routes touched (walk): Pymmes Brook Trail
Greater London Borough: Barnet
Historic County: Hertfordshire
Inaugural: August 27th 2011
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Oakleigh Park (National Rail via Great Northern, Thameslink). Walking Distance: 0.6 miles (0.96 km). Alternative: Southgate (Tube)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Old Deer Park

I completed this event on: September 21st 2013 with a finish time of: 23:32
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Richmond upon Thames
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: August 21st 2010
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Richmond (National Rail via South Western. Overground. Underground via District). Walking Distance: 0.4 miles (0.64 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26823896-map-full - Old Deer Park.png

Orpington

I completed this event on: December 24th 2016 with a finish time of: 28:04
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Bromley
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: September 15th 2012
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Orpington (National Rail via southeastern, Thameslink). Walking Distance: 1.6 miles (2.56 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Osterley

I completed this event on: January 25th 2014 with a finish time of: 23:35
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Hounslow
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: August 31st 2013
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Osterley (Underground via Piccadilly). Walking Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km). Alternative: Isleworth (Train)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Peckham Rye

I completed this event on: December 25th 2016 with a finish time of: 25:36
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Southwark
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: June 21st 2014
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Honor Oak Park (National Rail via Southern, Overground). Walking Distance: 1.1 miles (1.76 km). Alternative: Nunhead (Train)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26828163-map-full - Peckham Rye.png

Pymmes

I completed this event on: February 7th 2015 with a finish time of: 26:09
Other routes touched (walk): Pymmes Brook Trail
Greater London Borough: Enfield
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: April 9th 2011
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Silver Street (Overground). Walking Distance: 0.2 miles (0.32 km). Alternative: Edmonton (Train), Seven Sisters (Tube)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Raphael

I completed this event on: February 11th 2017 with a finish time of: 26:36
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Havering
Historic County: Essex
Inaugural: May 2nd 2015
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Romford (National Rail via greateranglia. Overground, Elizabeth Line). Walking Distance: 0.9 miles (1.44 km). Alternative: Elm Park (Tube).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Richmond Park

I completed this event on: February 1st 2014 with a finish time of: 24:14
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Greater London Borough: Richmond upon Thames
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: October 20th 2007
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Richmond (National Rail via South Western. Overground. Underground via District). Walking Distance: 1.1 miles (1.76 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26830977-map-full - Richmond Park.png

Riddlesdown

I completed this event on: January 1st 2017 with a finish time of: 26:24
Other routes touched (walk): London Loop, Tandridge Border Path
Greater London Borough: Croydon
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: July 2nd 2011
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Whyteleafe (National Rail via Southern). Walking Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km). Alternative: Upper Warlingham (Train)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up
Note that the start, and most of the course is in Greater London, however the finish is in Surrey.

route-26831007-map-full - Riddlesdown.png

Roundshaw Downs

I completed this event on: January 1st 2017 with a finish time of: 27:28
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Sutton. Roundshaw Down parkrun has the briefing in Croydon, the start line just over the border in Sutton, and the finish in Croydon. Much of the course is in Sutton with the eastern edge in Croydon. (thanks to Robert Butlin for this info).
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: July 18th 2009
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Waddon (National Rail via Southern). Walking Distance: 1.1 miles (1.76 km). Alternative: West Croydon (Overground), Wandle Park (Tram)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26832661-map-full - Roundshaw Downs.png

Southall

I completed this event on: February 12th 2022 with a finish time of: 25:03
Other routes touched: None
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Greater London Borough: Ealing
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: January 8th 2022
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Southall (National Rail via GWR, Underground, Elizabeth Line). Walking Distance: 0.7 miles (1.12 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

South Norwood

I completed this event on: December 23rd 2017 with a finish time of: 28:28
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 21
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Greater London Borough: Croydon
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: July 8th 2017
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Arena (Tram). Walking Distance: 0.4 miles (0.64 km). Alternative: Alternative: Elmers End (Train), Norwood Junction (Overground).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26832933-map-full - South Norwood.png

Southwark

I completed this event on: November 23rd 2017 with a finish time of: 24:26
Other routes touched: N/A
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Greater London Borough: Southwark
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: September 7th 2013
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Surrey Quays (Overground). Walking Distance: 0.2 miles (0.32 km). Alternative: South Bermondsey (Train), Canada Water (Tube)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Stockley Country

I completed this event on: January 7th 2023 with a finish time of: 26:07
Other routes touched: The London Loop
Greater London Borough: Hillingdon
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: January 7th 2023
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: West Drayton (National Rail via GWR, Elizabeth Line). Walking Distance: 1 miles (1.6 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Sunny Hill

I completed this event on: April 13th 2019 with a finish time of: 26:48
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Barnet
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: March 30th 2019
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Colindale (Underground via Northern). Walking Distance: 1.3 miles (2.08 km). Alternative: Mill Hill Broadway (Train).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-29706760-map-full - Sunny Hill.png

Sutcliffe

I completed this event on: November 20th 2021 with a finish time of: 25:01
Other routes touched: None
Greater London Borough: Greenwich
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: September 11th 2021
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Kidbrooke (National Rail via southeastern). Walking Distance: 0.7 miles (1.12 km).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Thames Path, Woolwich

I completed this event on: May 20th 2023 with a finish time of: 24:47
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path
Other routes touched (walk): NCN 1, Q14
Greater London Borough: Greenwich
Historic County: Kent
Inaugural: May 6th 2023
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Woolwich (Elizabeth Line). Walking Distance: 0.3 miles (0.48 km). Alternative: Woolwich Arsenal DLR
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Tooting Common

I completed this event on: January 28th 2017 with a finish time of: 26:55
Other routes touched (walk): Capital Ring
Greater London Borough: Wandsworth
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: January 30th 2016
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Tooting Bec (Underground via Northern). Walking Distance: 0.8 miles (1.28 km). Alternative: Balham (Train), Clapham Junction (Overground).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26835331-map-full - Tooting Common.png

Valentines

I completed this event on: November 5th 2016 with a finish time of: 25:54
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Redbridge
Historic County: Essex
Inaugural: February 19th 2011
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Gants Hill (Underground via Central). Walking Distance: 0.7 miles (1.12 km). Alternative: Alternative: Ilford (Train), Woodgrange Park (Overground).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26835365-map-full - Valentines.png

Victoria Dock

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled.
I completed this event on: April 28th 2018 with a finish time of: 24:23
Greater London Borough: Newham
Historic County: Essex
Inaugural: March 17th 2018. Final Event: #272 on December 20th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

Walthamstow

I completed this event on: December 3rd 2016 with a finish time of: 26:11
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Waltham Forest
Historic County: Essex
Inaugural: January 26th 2013
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Higham's Park (Overground). Walking Distance: 0.8 miles (1.28 km). Alternative: Walthamstow Central (Train, Tube).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26835403-map-full - Walthamstow.png

Wanstead Flats

I completed this event on: December 10th 2016 with a finish time of: 25:27
Other routes touched (walk): Greenwich Meridien Trail, Epping Forest Centenary Walk
Greater London Borough: Redbridge, although the post-code for the Harrow Road Pavilion is in neighboring Waltham Forest. This is presumably because the entrance to the Pavilion is off Harrow Road which is right on the border.
Historic County: Essex
Inaugural: May 21st 2011
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Leytonstone High Road (Overground). Walking Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km). Alternative: Stratford International (Train), Leytonstone (Tube), Forest Gate (Elizabeth Line).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26835421-map-full - Wanstead Flats.png

Wimbledon Common

I completed this event on: November 29th 2014 with a finish time of: 25:14
Other routes touched: Capital Ring
Greater London Borough: Wandsworth. The course is mostly in Wandsworth although the finish line and funnel is inside the Merton boundary - the Wandsworth border is a few metres north of the drinking trough next to the finish line. The old Wimbledon Common parkrun course, which was used as an alternative course (due to hornets on the usual course) in 2016 was entirely in Merton (thanks to Charles Leonard for this info).
Historic County: Surrey
Inaugural: January 6th 2007
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: Southfields (Underground via District). Walking Distance: 1.4 miles (2.24 km). Alternative: Putney (Train), Wimbledon (Tram).
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26835466-map-full - Wimbledon Common.png

Wormwood Scrubs

I completed this event on: June 15th 2013 with a finish time of: 24:10
Other routes touched: N/A
Greater London Borough: Hammersmith and Fulham
Historic County: Middlesex
Inaugural: June 11th 2011
Nearest Train/Tube/Tram: East Acton (Underground via Central). Walking Distance: 0.4 miles (0.64 km). Alternative: Acton Main Line (Train)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page, blog7t write-up

route-26835484-map-full - Wormwood Scrubs.png

Actual Course Outlines for Greater London parkruns

Actual course outlines for the parkrun events in Greater London that I have completed. Some courses have changed their routes since I completed them.

High Point New Jersey

Significance: Highest Point in New Jersey State, Sussex County NJ
Parent Peak: Sams Point Summit
Elevation: 550m
Date “climbed”: 14th May 2018
Coordinates: 41° 19' 15'' N, 74° 39' 42'' W
Links: Wikipedia / Peakbagger

New Jersey is a pretty flat state and High Point has an elevation of just 550 metres. That makes it technically a mountain, but don't expect to bring your crampons for the trip. There's some good hiking options in the State Park that surrounds it and the Appalachian Trail runs close by. I was short on on time so drove straight to the car park that's 5 minutes walk from the summit.

The summit is marked by the War Veterans' Monument, which you used to be able to climb, but it was closed for repairs when I visited. Despite this, there were great views and you can easily see the Tri-Point monument

NJ,NY,PA Tri-State MONUMENT

The 3-state Tri-Point is in an almost-lovely location. The grave-stone like monument is at the tip of a peninsula at the southern end of Port Jervis at the confluence of the Delaware and Neversink rivers. It would be a very pleasant quiet place if it wasn't for the ugly highway overpass built right over the top of the monument. The monument is surrounded by the pretty Laurel Grove Cemetery. Although it is possible to drive to the tip, as several anglers had done, I parked at the cemetery gates and took a 10 minute walk through the grounds.

Technically, the actual tri-state boundary is a few metres into the Delaware river. I was happy to stay on dry land and bag the monument stone as the marker point.

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower14 May 2018US State High Point, USAComment

Dana Nature Reserve Trek, Jordan

Start: Dana Guest House, Dana Village, Dana, Jordan
Finish: Feynan Ecolodge, Dana Nature Reserve, Jordan
Distance: 14.2 km (8.8 miles)
Elevation change: +33m / -944m. Net -911m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Wadi Ghwayr Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): None

Dana is Jordan's largest nature reserve, located on the west side of the country just south of the Dead Sea. We visited for 2 nights with a trek to the Feynan Eco-Lodge. Our first night was at Dana Guesthouse, high on the cliffs overlooking the valley. On day 2 we took the 14 KM hike down through the valley. Its a pretty easy trek and hard to get lost. We had a local guide who was unusually talkative and helpful compared other guides we had experienced on our Jordan adventure. Whilst we could have found our way ourselves, the guide explained a lot of the local history and nature in the valley.

The Eco-Lodge at the end was a great experience. It's one of National Geographic's best 25 Eco-Lodges in the world. We were only there for a night, but with a lot more time there were many interesting excursions and local activities on offer. We arrived early afternoon and took advantage of the quiet, remoteness and lack of electricity and wi-fi in the rooms to get a good rest before the next stage of our Jordan trip in the morning.

Above: Location of Feynan Eco-Lodge at the end of the trail

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower10 May 2018Trek, JordanComment

Walking in Petra, Jordan

Many people say that you need a week to visit Petra. That may be true if you want to see everything in detail, but 2 well planned days can get you around the must-see parts. Here’s our 2 treks taking in the Petra Highlights

Day 1 - The Monastery Loop

Start & Finish: Petra Guest House, Wadi Musa, Jordan
Distance: 11.7 km (7.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 503 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee

All routes start from the sun gates by the Petra Guest House. From here it’s a half mile gentle trek down to the Siq

The Siq is a narrow cavern created by an earthquake that split the rock thousands of years ago. The half-mile walk down through the Siq needs to be made slowly to take everything in. The Siq opens up at a T-junction with the Treasury rising up in front of you.

This is the point as far as most people, including myself before this, had heard about Petra. In reality, the Siq and The Treasury are a fraction of the site. Turning right and continuing along the main route, you’ll pass the theatre, Royal Tombs, the Colonnade and the Basin. It was here that our useless guide left us and we paused at the Basin Restaurant for a break.

From the Basin there’s a few options but the main event is the walk up to The Monastery. It’s a 45 min to an hour climb and well worth the effort. In some ways the Monastery is even more impressive than the Treasury. Its huge, and the climb to get there makes it all the more rewarding.

route-27486026-map-full - Petra Day 1.png

Day 2 - Wadi al Farasa and Royal Tombs

Start & Finish: Petra Guest House, Wadi Musa, Jordan
Distance: 11.5 km (7.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 389 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee

Take the same route as Day 1 to The Treasury. Turn left and you’ll see some steps leading steeply upwards. There will be local “guides” hanging round the base waiting to take you up. I’m not convinced it was necessary to take a guide. There was an official looking sign at the base so we negotiated 5 JD with a local boy to take us up.

There’s only 1 tricky section of the climb, but it’s otherwise an easy 10 minutes to a great view looking down to The Treasury. The boy pointed out a path to the High Place of Sacrifice where he would take us for an extra 10 JD. We offered 5 which was more than generous. This was the point that he revealed that the original 5 JD was a 1-way trip, not a return to the base. After a bit of a commotion where he spat at me, threaten to call the police and picked up a rock to throw at us, we sent him on his way and continued upwards on our own.

I found it best to assume that the local guides are all lying. They either say that the routes are long and difficult or you can only go with a guide. None are true and when you get one, as we did on Day 1, they’re pretty useless. Don't take this as a generalisation of all Jordanians though. Everyone else we met were friendly, generous and welcoming of tourists. Its just the local guides in the historic sites that are a particular breed of lazy arsehole.

The route to the High Place and the Wadi al Faraza trek are well worth the effort. They’re quieter than the main routes at ground level and have some amazing vistas and tombs to explore.

The trail ends at the Basin restaurant at the start of the route to the Monastery. It’s a great place to stop but be prepared for a fleecing on food and drinks. From here, you can return back to the Treasury via the Colonnade, stopping off at the Royal Tombs on the way.

route-27486246-map-full - Petra Day 2.png

Below: The Treasury at Petra

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower9 May 2018Trek, JordanComment

Fleet Half Marathon

When: April 29th 2018
Where: Fleet, Hampshire UK
Course: Small loop of Fleet Town Centre then larger loop of country roads taking in Rotten Green, Dogmersfield and Crookham. Flatish.
Other routes touched: None
Finish time: 1:56

Back to Run Index

Richard gower29 April 2018Run, Half Marathon, Hampshire, EnglandComment

Putney & Fulham Half Marathon

When: April 15th 2018
Where: Barnes, London, UK
Course: Start and end at Barn Elms Sports Centre. 2 lap course mostly along Thames Path between Putney and Hammersmith Bridges, looping around Barnes Common and Bishops Park. Flat.
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Beverley Brook
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Finish time: 1:57

elevation_profile - Fulham Putney half.jpg

Back to Run Index

Richard gower15 April 2018Run, Half Marathon, London, Middlesex, Thames, EnglandComment

Kent Spring Half Marathon

When: April 8th 2018
Where: Charing, Kent, UK
Course: Hour-glass shaped loop from Charing School through country lanes and part of the North Downs Way
Other routes touched (walk): North Downs Way, Shepherd Neame Walking Route,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 17
Finish time: 2:07 - slow due to [insert excuse here]

elevation_profile - Kent Spring Half Marathon.jpg

Back to Run Index

Richard gower8 April 2018Run, Half Marathon, Kent, EnglandComment

Cycling The River Colne

Part of the Chiltern Rivers Series
River start: North Mymms Park in Hertfordshire.
River end: Confluence with the River Thames in Staines, Surrey
River length: 18 km (11.2 miles)

Cycle route start / end: parking in North Mimms town centre, Hertfordshire / River Thames in Staines.
Cycle route length: 57.8 km (36 miles)
Cycle route elevation change: +182m / -262m. Net -80m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way, Grand Union Canal Towpath, London Loop, Beeches Way, Colne Valley Trail, Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 12, 4, 6, 61
Map: OS Explorer Map (182) St. Albans and Hatfield / OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East / OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: River Colne, Welham Green, North Mymms, Rickmansworth, Staines

The Colne is the daddy of the Chiltern Rivers. The Lee may be longer, but the Colne tells the real story of the Chilterns. From its start at North Mymms, the river flows south through Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, meeting the Thames at Staines in Surrey. Along the way it picks up water from smaller rivers such as the Ver, the Gade, the Chess , the Pinn and the Misbourne. Travel along these and you'll see some of the best scenery of the region.

The cycle route that I devised was awesome. I was fully prepared to get lost, stuck in the mud or work around non-cycle paths. As it turned out, it was a challenging but hugely enjoyable combination of trails, country roads, canal towpath and interesting industrial wasteland.

Unlike some of the other Chiltern Rivers, its possible to stay pretty close to the river itself. There's not one waymarked route to follow, but stringing a few together will get you there. Its complicated, so take a bike sat-nav and don't even think of attempting it on a road bike. Its muddy. And awesome.

How to do it.

Roughly its the following, but don't just rely on this. Take a map or GPX file.

Start at Welham Green, Hertordshire.
Follow Dixons Hill Road / Tolgate Road / Coursers road out of town.
Cross the fields, following the river until you get to the Watling Chase Timberland Trail
Follow the Trail to Lowbell Lane, crossing under the A1081
Passing through London Colney, take Shelney Lane over the M25
Follow Harper Lane to Watling Street, briefly turning right, then left onto a Bridleway
When passing though a farm/equestrian centre please dismount and walk the bikes through. The natives are friendly, but sounds like they have had a bad experience with people ignoring the "no cycles" sign.
Follow School Lane over the M1 to Garston.
By now you will be on NCN 61. Follow this all the to the Malt Shovel Pub on the Grand Union Canal at Iver.
This stretch of the NCN 61 also follows the Abbey Way and Ebury Way
Turn right off the canal then left onto Old Mill Lane.
Take the right hand path around Little Britain Lake, Following London Loop (section 1) then the Beeches Way to the Colne Valley Way
When the Colne Valley Way reaches Thorney Mill Road, take a left onto it until Wise Lane
Follow Wise Lane then the Colne Valley Trail onto Harmonsworth Moor.
Cross under the M4, then over the A4 through Stanwell Moor and under the A30.
Once past the A30, its a wiggle through Staines to the end of the river at the Thames opposite the Swan Hotel.

Recommended Lunch Stop

The Cafe in The Park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome is a great half-way stopping point. Their Courgette and Lime cake is amazing.

Back to Chiltern Rivers Index

Richard gower7 April 2018Cycle, NCN, Canal, Disused Railway, Thames, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey, EnglandComment

Completing 100 Tourist parkruns

Completed parkrun events by Region

Completed events in date order

Data based on the awesome Running Challenges Chrome Extension

Back to Run Index

Richard gower7 April 2018Run, parkrunComment

Cycling The River Alderbourne

Source of the Alderbourne near the M40 at Fulmer

Part of the Chiltern Rivers Series
River start: Pond at Low Farm, off Framewood Road, Fulmer, Buckinghamshire
River end: Confluence with Colne Brook, next to M25 on Uxbridge Moor
River length: 8 km (5 miles)

Cycle route start / end: Black Horse Pub, Windmill Rd, Fulmer, Slough SL3 6HD
Cycle route length: 18 km (11 miles)
Cycle route elevation change: +/- 116m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Beeches Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Beeches Cycleway, NCN 61
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Fulmer, Uxbridge Moor

The Alderbourne loves motorways. A long time ago it flowed through quiet South Buckinghamshire countryside. Now it's flanked by both the M40 and M25, crossing right through the junction of both. Despite this, there's some interesting routes near it, as I found out on this circular ride loosely based on the river's course.

The best base for the ride is the Black Horse in Fulmer. It’s a regular of mine and one of my favourite pubs in the area. From here, cross the main road and go down Hay Lane to the junction with Framewood Road. This is as far as you can go by bike as both directions of Framewood Road are private. To see the source, lock your bike here and continue straight on the footpath for a third of a mile. A junction in the path will take you through a gate where you can see the small lake that feeds the river at Low Farm.

An optional add-on is to continue north-west along the main path for 5 minutes. Here you can see the decaying remains of Picking Farm. Once a large manor house, its been rotting for years getting overtaken by Japanese Knotweed.

To follow the Alderbourne, retrace your steps to the Black Horse and take Alderbourne Lane, heading east. The lane will briefly join Hawkeswood Lane which is crossed by the river with a ford. As with many places around here, being close to Pinewood Studios, the ford was a location for a movie (Genevieve 1953). Follow Alderbourne Lane to the end and it will meet Pinewood Road at the corner of Black Park and the film studios.

The route continues down Silverhill Road while the river diverts north without public access. The closest route to the river would be to take Silverhill then the A412, however this is a very busy road and not a pleasant cycle. Instead take the bridleway on the right of Silverhll before the M25 crossing. This follows the boundary of the Pinewood Studios extension and meets Iver Heath. Keeping to bridleways next to the M25 for 2.5 miles, you'll reach the Alderbourne's end where it meets the Colne Brook.

To complete the circular route, continue along the bridleway and follow the Beeches Way / NCN Route 61 until Billet Lane next to Langley Country Park. Follow this north to the A412 and cross it into Black Park. From here you can follow the eastern perimeter of the park along the side of the original Pinewood Studios site. At the North End of the park you can take Fulmer Common Road, then Windmill Road back to the Black Horse.

Despite not seeing much of the Alderbourne except for the start and end, its a great excuse for an interesting 11 mile ride around the area. Don't miss out on the opportunity for a meal and a pint at the Black Horse too.

Back to Chiltern Rivers Index

Richard gower6 April 2018Cycle, NCN, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment

Cycling The Colne Brook, Wraysbury & Frays Rivers

Northern end of the route where the River Frays ducks under the Grand Union and meets the River Colne

Part of the Chiltern Rivers Series
Rivers start, end & length:
- Colne Brook: Splits from the Colne at Uxbridge Moor, runs 14.4 km (9 miles) to the Thames at Hythe End near Staines, Surrey
- Wraysbury: Splits from the Colne at West Drayton, runs ~9 km (5.5 miles) and rejoins the Colne near the confluence with the Thames at Staines, Surrey
- Frays: Splits from the Colne at Uxbridge Moor, runs ~9 km (5.5 miles) and rejoins the Colne near the confluence with the Thames at West Drayton, Middlesex

Cycle route start / end: Colne Visitors Centre, Denham, Uxbridge, UB9 5PG
Cycle route length: 46 km (28.5 miles)
Cycle route elevation change: +/- 149m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Grand Union Canal Towpath, London Loop, Beeches Way, Colne Valley Trail, Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4, 6, 61
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East, OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Colne Brook, Wraysbury River, Frays River, Uxbridge, West Drayton, Staines

This route is not pretty, but it is interesting. This is the lower Colne Valley, a land of marshland, rivers and moors sliced and diced by motorways, rail lines and dirty industry. It’s a place that few people discover and why would they? The Chilterns surround it to the north west and Windsor Great Park is not far to the south. What this area lacks in beauty it makes up for in intrigue. It’s a chance to get lost in a place you’ve wizzed by on the way to somewhere else.

I'd made a failed attempt at this trip in January. It's been a winter of cancelled running events and I've added a few extra kilos. I was eager to get back on my bike for another attempt and a short window in a rainy Easter weekend gave me a chance. It was wet, muddy and cold. I loved it.

The best place to start the trip is car park at the Colne Valley Regional Park Visitors Centre. From here, its a 2.5 mile cycle down the Grand Union to the start of the Colne Brook. You can see the split from the River Colne from a bridge on the A4007 at Cowley. About 500m further on, a footpath next to the M25 follows the end of the Alderbourne before it meets the Colne Brook. The cycle route stays as close to the river as possible, passing through Iver, Thorney Park Golf Course, Colnebrook village and the back of Heathrow T5 industrial estates.

Once past Heathrow the route gets more pleasant as it weaves through the Wraysbury reservoirs, emerging at Hythe End. After passing the start of the Staines Reservoirs Aqueduct, the route joins the footbridge on the M25 river crossing. From here you can see the confluence with the Thames opposite the Runnymede Hotel.

After a short ride east along the Thames, cross back over the river and you'll find the point where the River Colne reaches the Thames near the old Town Hall. The junction of the Colne and the Wraysbury can be seen from a bridge off Church Street a couple of hundred meters to the north.

From Staines, the cycle route stays in sight of the Wraysbury river for most of the route except for a diversion around a grotty industrial estate at the back of T5. The start of the river at West Drayton is within a stone's throw of the end of the Fray's River. This end of the Frays is hard to keep close to, so the route diverts through West Drayton and Yiewsley before meeting the river at Little Britain Lake. From here the river can be tracked pretty closely through Uxbridge up to the junction with the Colne at Denham Lock.

Yellow = Cycle Route, Red = River Colne Brook, Blue = Wraysbury River, Green = River Frays — **Yellow** = Cycle Route, **Red** = River Colne Brook, **Blue** = Wraysbury River, **Green** = River Frays

Back to Chiltern Rivers Index

Richard gower2 April 2018Cycle, NCN, Thames, Canal, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Middlesex, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey, England Comments

Stroke Association Resolution Run 10k

When: March 25th 2018
Where: Black Park Country Park, Buckinghamshire, UK
Course: 2 laps of the parkrun course
Other routes touched (walk): Beeches Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Finish time: 55 mins

Good to be back in action after a winter of cancelled events.

Back to Run Index

Richard gower25 March 2018Run, 10k, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment

Harpenden Half Marathon

When: March 11th 2018
Where: Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
Course: Muddy mixed terrain starting and ending at Rothamsted Park, leading out to the Rothamsted Estate, the Nicky Line and some nice residential streets of Harpenden.
Other routes touched (walk): Nicky Line, Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 57
Finish time: 2:05

Back to Run Index

Richard gower11 March 2018Run, Half Marathon, Disused Railway, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment

Walkie Talkie Tower Run

When: March 3rd 2018
Where: 20 Fenchurch Street, London
Floors: 36
Steps: 828
Finish time: 6 minutes, 49 seconds
Charity: Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital
My donation / sponsorship total: £250

Back to Run Index

Richard gower3 March 2018Run, Tower Run, London, Middlesex, EnglandComment

Tenerife & La Gomera: Then & Now

Coming back to Tenerife wasn't very appealing to me until recently. I must have been there about 20 times with my family when I was growing up. My parents had a half share in an apartment in Las Americas with my Dad's’ business partner’s family . We had some great times there and it was the setting for some of my fondest memories.

I only got the travel bug in my mid twenties and since then I’ve been on a mission to see the world. I developed a rule about not going back to places, so Tenerife never got a look in. It was going to Madeira last year and walking the Levadas that started to change my mind. I realised that I’d only seen holiday resort Tenerife, not the outdoor wonderland that most tourists never visit. It was time to return and to show Timi the holiday places of my childhood.

First up, a 5 mile walk of the resort to recreate some old moments...

Playa de las Americas

Dad: view to Villamar, Bouganville Playa and Gran Tinerfe - early 1980s

2018: Same view from lower position. Upper walkway now closed for building works.

Dad: view to Parque Santiago 1,2,4 and Conquistador - late 1980s

Los Angeles cafe & view to Roque del Conde mountain: mid 1980s

Flanagans: the scene of some epic 1980s dad dancing.

Cafe amazingly still there in 2018. Mountain obscured by palm trees

2018: Flanagan's is long gone. Still classy though.

Parque Santiago 3

Parque Santiago 3 was the resort where my parents shared an apartment with the Blore's, the family of my dad's business partner.

Mum: late 1980s. The big ugly block in the distance is the now-demolished Europa hotel

2018: Smugness comes naturally now. Bigger me, bigger tree.

Mount Teide Cable Car

2018: slightly different angle, bit colder, but still there.

2018: new cable car. Click here for the Teide website's history of the cable car

1980s low tech sign on the cable car station

Dragon Tree, Icod de los Vinos

La Gomera

Roque de Agando - mid 1980s, rocking the Comic Relief T-shirt

View of Tenerife from La Gomera ferry: mid 1980s

Roque de Agando - looking a bit older in 2018

2018 - still ruined but looks like someone lives there now.

2018: much more development. Think there's a volcano in there somewhere.

And finally, one of my favourite photos: The Gowers and The Blores at the Santiago 3 apartment before a night out (late '80s). Sadly, no 2018 recreation for this one as not all of the original cast are still with us.

See also: Gran Canaria: Then and Now

Richard gower24 February 2018Spain, Canary Islands, Family Comments

Not Walking to Teide and Alto de Garajonay

Mt Teide

Significance: High point of Tenerife, The Canary Islands and Spain
Summit height: 3,717m
Highest point reached: 3,555m
Guidebook: Europe’s High Points (Cicerone)

I don’t remember much about visiting Mt Teide. I’ve definitely been before, at least to the bottom of the Teleferico (cable car). Judging from the old photos it must have been about 35 years ago.

I do remember talking with my dad about going up again when I was an early teenager. This was in my less adventurous days and I was scared when my dad told me that the air would be thinner up there. I had this fear that it would be too thin for him and he would have a heart attack. I realised today that he would have been about the same age as I am now ... which I’ve now decided is really really young.

So, on my first trip back in over 20 years and with a well developed adventure obsession, I had to make it to the top. I’d made all the plans: permit, pre booked tickets, all the right clothing. The only problem was that it was February and the trail from the upper cable car station was shut due to ice.

Despite the near miss of reaching the summit, Timi and I had an amazing day. We ticked off the Teide National Park UNESCO site and got some amazing photos of the peak and Los Roques de Garcia before the clouds came down.

I was a bit disappointed in not getting to the top but February is always a risk. It’s was the same reason we didn’t get to Mt Olympus in Cyprus 3 years ago. After all, our mission for the week was to have a relaxing end of winter break, not to get to the summit. Anway, I figured that we would have better luck climbing Alto de Garajonay on Friday.

Alto de Garajonay

Significance: High point of La Gomera
Summit height: 1,487m
Highest point reached: 1,250m

Whilst a Teide trip is simple to organise, La Gomera is trickier. We wanted a 1 day trip from where we were staying in Costa Adeje, Tenerife. I started researching 6 weeks before. The first company that I emailed obviously hadn’t got the knack of using computers. After 2 weeks with no reply to my enquiry I emailed again. Apparently their reply was stuck in their draft folder. They sent me as brief an email as they could muster, so I replied with a few basic questions. No response.

With a bit more research I found another company that had a few interesting trekking options on their website. I picked one and paid online, giving all the details they asked for, including the hotel where we were staying it. It was a good sign that I got a response straight away, but strange that they were asking me again where I was staying. I told them our hotel name and within minutes got a refund with a blunt email saying I that I could not join the trip as I was not staying on the island. After a bit of back and forth with me trying to explain how god customer service works, I gave up.

Attempt #3 was prompted by an email from my hotel asking if there was anything they could do to help with our upcoming stay. They even had an Experience Centre with a dedicated email address. I wrote to them to explain what we wanted to do on La Gomera. No reply. Was the island was actively trying to discourage tourists? By now I’d given up hope of making arrangements in advance and decided to chill out and sort out when I got to Tenerife.

Once we’d arrived at the hotel and settled in Timi and I went to the hotel’s Experience Centre to ask about La Gomera. Having not quite got to the top of Teide we were determined to bag at least one island summit. I asked whether the jeep safari they offered would go to Alto de Garajonay, the highest point on the island. The guy made a phone call and confirmed that yes, it definitely did. Result.

On the day of the trip we were picked up early and taken on the ferry from Los Cristianos to San Sebastián de la Gomera. Soon after arriving the jeep convoy stopped at a nearby viewpoint and the main guide explained the day’s agenda. It all sounded great but was a bit odd that he didn’t mention to stop at the summit. I asked him about it... “no, unfortunately we don’t go there, it’s a bit of a hike and no tour company goes there.” I was, as you could imagine, not amused.

The tour itself was OK but not special and certainly nothing to make up for the lack of summiting. We did the usual stops for the Aloe Vera Farm, Banana Plantation, local lunch and Botanical Gardens. All fairly interesting but not worth the money we’d paid for, especially as I’d been there before. So close.

Back at the hotel I made sure they understood my frustration and eventually got my money back. I’ll spare you the details here as my Tripadvisor review explains it well.

So, the learning for La Gomera is not to go with an excursion if you want to get to the high point. Don’t believe anyone who tells you they go there unless you’re sure they completely understand that Alto de Garajonay doesn’t mean just the National Park that surrounds it. You may have better luck than I did with a local company on Gomera, just don’t expect good customer service.

We plan to go back but we’ll organise it ourselves now that we know what to do and where to go. The best plan seems to be to go by ferry on foot and hire a car on La. Gomera. Our first plan had been to take our Tenerife based rental car over on the ferry, then we found out that most rental companies don’t allow it. The island roads from the port to the national park are good and there’s several parking spots around the trail to the summit. We will probably stay on the island for a few days and check out the many other trails too.

Roque de Agando - volcanic plug, a highlight of the centre of La Gomera

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower23 February 2018Trek, Mountain, Country High Points, Spain, Canary Islands, Island High PointsComment

OTHER HIGH POINTS IN Lancashire

Greater London parkruns by Borough

Greater London parkruns by Historic County

All of the London parkrun events …

parkrun LonDone Tracker

Ally Pally

Avery Hill

Barking

Battersea

Beckenham Place

Beckton

Bedfont Lakes

Bethlem Royal Hospital

Bexley

Brockwell

Bromley

Burgess

Bushy Park

Canons Park

Catford

Charlton

Clapham Common

Crane Park

Crystal Palace

Dulwich

Finsbury Park

Foots Cray Meadows

Fulham Palace

Gladstone

Greenwich Peninsula

Grovelands

Gunnersbury

Hackney Marshes

Hampstead Heath

Hanworth

Harrow

Harrow Lodge

Highbury Fields

Hilly Fields

Hoblingwell

Ingrebourne Hill

Kingston

Lloyd

Lordship Recreation Ground

Mile End

Morden

Northala Fields

Oak Hill

Old Deer Park

Orpington

Osterley

Peckham Rye

Pymmes

Raphael

Richmond Park

Riddlesdown

Roundshaw Downs

Southall

South Norwood

Southwark

Stockley Country

Sunny Hill

Sutcliffe

Thames Path, Woolwich

Tooting Common

Valentines

Victoria Dock

Walthamstow

Wanstead Flats

Wimbledon Common

Wormwood Scrubs

Actual Course Outlines for Greater London parkruns

More parkrun posts

More London posts

High Point New Jersey

NJ,NY,PA Tri-State MONUMENT

Day 1 - The Monastery Loop

Day 2 - Wadi al Farasa and Royal Tombs

How to do it.

Recommended Lunch Stop