London is an ever-changing city. Restaurants open and sadly close down. Its occupants flock in and out of the city; some live here forever, some for little more than a year. And buildings, venues, and even railways all transform over time. One gorgeous example of a space that has completely changed its identity over its life is the Parkland Walk. What was once an old railway line is now a tranquil escape in North London.
The 4-kilometre (aka 2.5 miles-ish) stretch of parkland is London’s longest linear nature reserve. Inside, curious visitors and nature-lovers can explore a myriad of environments. If you walk the full length, you’ll encounter everything from sun-dappled woodland to railway relics that hint at its previous life. You might even come across a mischievous elvish figure.
The Parkland Walk is also home to rare flora and fauna, making it an important part of London’s natural ecosystem. But ultimately (and perhaps most importantly), it’s a downright stunning place for a wander – or a full-on hike in the middle of the city.
The old train line in Parkland Walk
The Parkland Walk was originally a train line that was part of the Great Northern Railway. This ran trains between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. It was supposed to become part of the Northern Line, but these plans were abandoned when WWII broke out, and the line fell out of service in the ensuing years.
Passenger services ceased in the 50s, and the last trains passed through in 1970. Then the track came up, and the station buildings were demolished. Over the following years, nature took over the expansive open space. And then, in 1984, it became the Parkland Walk.
While the tracks and the station buildings may be gone, walkers can still wander past and through the old platforms and tunnels. These have rather charmingly been overtaken by Mother Nature.
And, of course, there’s plenty of nature along the way. The nature reserve is home to butterflies, hedgehogs, foxes, and more. Some two hundred varieties of wildlife bloom in the area, and it’s home to rare plants and insects that you won’t find elsewhere.
The Parkland Walk is also home to a mysterious figure that surprises many a passerby. Along the Crouch End stretch of the walk, a mischievous elf can be spotted emerging from the brickwork. It’s actually a sculpture of a Cornish sprite, known as a Spriggan. It’s the only statue that was successfully commissioned when Parkland Walk was going to be transformed into a sculpture trail.
In full sunlight, it looks pretty mischievous climbing out of the graffiti. But in the fading winter twilight, it does tend to loom slightly forebodingly above those going for a winter wander.
Getting to the Parkland Walk
There are a number of access points to the Parkland Walk, but if you fancy seeing the whole thing, you’ll want to start at one of the endpoints. You’ll find these on Muswell Hill near Ally Pally and Oxford Road in Finsbury Park. The nearest stations for the endpoints are Highgate and Finsbury Park.
Alternatively, if you just fancy seeing a stretch of the nature reserve, Crouch Hill station is situated about a third of the way along. Follow Crouch Hill north out of the station, and you’ll find the Crouch End Hill Bridge, which goes over the Parkland Walk. The Highgate tube station is also very conveniently situated for those looking to wander a portion of the Parkland Walk.
The Parkland Walk is a delightful way to experience nature in the city. It also lets you go on a nature hike without even leaving London!
