Route Section

Capital Ring

Section 12 (Highgate to Stoke Newington)

Description:

Easy walking in surroundings that are surprisingly green in such a densely populated part of London. This is largely achieved by following most of the Parkland Walk (London's longest nature reserve) along a former railway line among trees and shrubs. You come on to this very soon after the start near Highgate station - by using its Archway Road exit you avoid the steep climb which is only necessary for those continuing from Section 11 to Section 12.

After crossing the main East Coast railway line into Finsbury Park, you leave the Parkland Walk and skirt a small lake. The main route now follows the New River, an ingenious artificial watercourse that has brought fresh water from Hertfordshire to London since the 17th century. (As this is mostly on uneven ground and includes a flight of steps, an alternative accessible route is signed along Green Lanes.)

Fittingly you pass between two historic churches into Stoke Newington Church Street, whose cosmopolitan atmosphere is fed by a range of ethnic cuisines. Finally comes the wonderfully eerie Abney Park Cemetery, now a nature reserve, with drunkenly leaning tombstones surrounded by a wealth of trees and shrubs.

Interesting Places on or near the route:

Abney Park Cemetery

Boroughs which the route passes through:

Hackney
Haringey
Islington

Distance:

4.5 miles ( 7.3 km)

Start:

Priory Gardens, Highgate (GR 287-882)

Finish:

Stoke Newington station (GR 337-868)

Recommended direction:

West to east

Terrain and surface:

Almost entirely level on firm paths and pavements, except for an avoidable steep climb on rough ground at the start. No stiles. 2.9km (1.8ml) beside roads

Signage:

Complete both ways. The logo is 'Big Ben' and text 'Capital Ring' in blue and green on white background.

Temporary Diversions:

The footpath by the west reservoir will be reopened for the summer months from Friday 30th April 2010. Part of the footpath has been resurfaced so walkers should be able to enjoy a much less muddy and waterlogged path. However, the path will be closing again in Autumn 2010 to complete the final section of resurfacing and Berkeley Homes landscaping work, which should be complete early in 2011.

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs at Highgate, Manor House, Woodberry Down and Stoke Newington. Cafes at Highgate, Crouch End Hill, Finsbury Park, Manor House, Woodberry Down, Clissold Park and Stoke Newington. Public toilets at Finsbury Park and Clissold Park

Public transport and breakpoints:

Tube: Highgate, Finsbury Park, Manor House
Rail: Crouch Hill, Finsbury Park, Harringay Green Lanes, Stoke Newington
Buses: at stations above plus Crouch End Hill and Lordship Grove

Links with other walks:

Parkland Walk, New River Path

Map required:

Explorer 173

Principal promoters:

London Walking Forum, LB Haringey, LB Hackney

Access information:

The surface of the Parkland Walk is uneven and may be muddy. The entrance used by the Capital Ring into Abney Park Cemetery has five steps, which can be avoided by continuing outside to the finish of the section at Stoke Newington station, with a level entrance nearby if you wish to explore the cemetery.

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