Exploring London

[Manonabike]

Lots of time that we go to London, my wife and I wish we had the time to explore London but in a big way. Over the years we have done quite a few museums, restaurants, shopping, theatres, etc but always around central London.

We have come to the conclusion that by bike would be the only way to seriously explore London. A car is just not practical...... difficult to find parking if we want to stop to see something.

My daughter lives in the Islington area so we are toying with the idea of taking the car with the bikes and have a go at exploring London for a good couple of weeks at a time. It might take us many years to explore it well.

We would set up camp at my daughter's but we thought it would be best to take the car with the bikes on the M25 to explore areas that are too far from Islington.

What do we want to see? I guess a little bit of everything, historical places above all but other things too - we enjoy looking at old buildings and their architecture, parks, open markets, etc.

We would like to start next summer and in the mean time we would like to build a plan of the things we would like to see. Hopefully I can get some good suggestions from here.

The strategy would be to park the car in the outskirts of London and ride the bikes towards central London exploring that particular area. Having knowledge of something we want to see would help a lot.

The thing that worries me the most is safety on the bikes. My wife is not terribly comfortable riding on big roads so we will try to avoid them as much as we possibly can. So any tips of alternative routes would be appreciated.
As far as I know there aren't any no go area in London but I'm told there are some areas that the risk of mugging is greater than what one might find of interest...... any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[junglegusset]

Unfortunately I can't help but I would be very interested in the answers to this. I have often thought about going something similar but had concerns about the traffic. I'm a competent cyclist but I'm a hillbilly.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Exploring London is part of my regular exercise. In fact, I'm just back from a look around a part of Islington. I've now covered every cycleable road (though I don't do tunnels and don't know a lot of the offroad cycle paths) in a 100 square miles circular area of my home. This represents many thousands of miles of riding. I think you will be surprised quite how big an area you can cover without using the car and just starting out from your daughter's. Though London drivers are pretty much used to dealing with bikes on the roads I still tend to do the central London area outside the working week. This is more because I find it more pleasant when it's less hectic.

In general there is less difference in road speed between motors and cycles in London compared with small cities or rural roads, and that reduces much of the danger. If you're still concerned about the bigger roads, cyclestreets.net is good for suggesting quieter routes and cut throughs. Though be aware that their quietest route will sometimes lead you though a walking-only path and you'll then have to dismount. I find their balanced routes are usually pretty good for when time is not a priority.

 

[bof]

First, I'd say base your strategy on trains and the underground, not cars. It is easy to travel on them with bikes outside rush hour - the exception is the underground stretches of tube (ie small train lines). An example for you would be Islington-Richmond by overground. Secondly look in a decent bookshop at London cycle guides - there are several of them and if they still sell them Blue Guides of London, there were several covering different things, and/or Pevsners. Third, use bikes which you don't really care about getting nicked and get good locks. Cheapo Halfords MTBS are good (nice thick tyres, soft ride).

My first route suggestion is the Thames. With short gaps you can cycle alongside or on minor roads from Sunbury on Thames to Beckton on the North, Kingston to Woolwich on the South. Half the things to see in London are on or near your route.

Second one is Regents Canal. The Kensal Green Cemetery in the west to the Limehouse basin and the Olympic site in the east.

Thirdly Sevenoaks/Westerham area (Knole House, Penshurst Place, Chartwell to name but 3) and as you move in from there Down House (Darwin's) Chislehurst and fairly green routes over to Blackheath.

It's endless really

 

[dawesome]

http://www.visitthecity.co.uk/index.php/attractions/view/204/

That wall's 2000 years old.

 

[accountantpete]

Centrally there are some fantastic off the beaten track places - Cloth Fair/St Bartholomew's Church near Smithfield. The Church is pretty old and has some amazing architecture within.

 

[dawesome]

Centrally there are some fantastic off the beaten track places - Cloth Fair/St Bartholomew's Church near Smithfield. The Church is pretty old and has some amazing architecture within.

That's the church in Four Weddings, round the corner is Betjeman's old house, now a wine bar, the Great Fire didn't quite reach there. Postman's Park is round the corner too:

 

[Night Train]

If you are in Islington, that is my old home. Could you could pass by Chow Square, off Arcola Street E8 to see if it is a tip or if it is still looked after for me. It was named after my late brother for all the work he did for social housing and people with support needs. Thank you.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=arc...d=TTyQuas4px8nKH7-2EMfAQ&cbp=12,198.8,,1,7.31

 

[Manonabike]

Some really good information posted here. I'm making notes........

 

[ASC1951]

That wall's 2000 years old.

Not quite. The first wall is probably Third Century and that bit is probably another 100 years later.

 

[subaqua]

if you like architecture then you can do no better than abbey mills pumping station at Stratford , handily connected by the Northern outfall sewer, its called the Greenway today you can ride it very easily. its currently closed past the olympics but next year it will be fine. a short trip on the emirates cable car and another bit of a ride and you come to the southern pumping station at crossness

http://crossness.org.uk/

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

If there's any area that tickles your fancy, another idea would be to keep a look out on the local LCC cyclist group. They often do light, social rides with a bit of informative tour guidery. Southwark Cyclists, I think it is, have done a series of rides with an architectural/historical flavour led by Bermondsey Bill. To give you an idea, here's an extract from a local ride that's coming up:

Greenwich Station Forecourt, 6.30 pm Join Greenwich Cyclists on a short trip around West Greenwich to see some of houses and architecture, and learn some of the history of the area. About five miles in total so suitable for all but does involve some local hills (Crooms, Royal etc). Plenty of opportunity to stop, look. listen and learn. Finishing, probably, at the Dog & Bell, for those who want to.

 

[dellzeqq]

give me a selection of dates and I'll meet you in Islington at about 8 am and return you there about 5.30

 

[Manonabike]

give me a selection of dates and I'll meet you in Islington at about 8 am and return you there about 5.30

Thanks for your kind offer......when I have a better idea of dates I will let you know.

Some excellent information and good ideas posted so far.

That ancient wall is the kind of thing I would not like to miss.

 

[Globalti]

When I lived in London I used to attend a weekly talk given by a London cabbie who was also a registered London guide. He was extremely entertaining; I still remember a couple of the funny stories he told us. He used to walk around a certain district, Soho or Pimlico or Piccadilly for example, photographing all the statues and blue plaques then show us a slide show while talking about the history of the area. He would give us a photocopied map with a key to the locations of the pictures so that we could then go and do the walk ourselves.

The nearest I can find is this: http://london.floodlight.co.uk/lond...king-tours/16180339/53988858/course-info.html but I bet there are loads of others.

PS - Disappointingly I can't find any mention of a blue plaque in memory of my birth in April 1956 at the Princess Beatrice Hospital in SW10. What an oversight! And worse, the place is now a hostel for down-and-outs!