A Walk in the Countryside

This is the start of our August Bank Holiday Weekend. I always thought the Bank Holidays related to old religious holidays, but according to my book on English traditional festivals, that is not true. I guess I didn't read very carefully the first time through. The last weekend in August is just a good time for a holiday, even back when holidays were not a privilege everyone enjoyed.

Last Sunday we took the Northern Line to the southern end of the line; today we went north, but the Northern Line has three termini in the north. I found a walk with a route between two of them. And what a walk! We spent the day in the country, but we never left London. Join us for our walk in the country!

We begin at High Barnet station. First stop is the Barnet Museum for some local history. An important battle of the War of the Roses was fought here. Edward 1V's victory here ensured his capture of the throne.  Next we fortified ourselves with a superb lunch at the Lord Nelson. The apple-blackberry crumble was historic. Then on to our walk.

Through the Recreation Ground in Chipping Barnet. 

Into the Barnet Conservation Area

Into the Dollis Valley

A multitude of trails

The Dollis Brook

The Dollis Valley Greenway

An overhanging hedge forms an arch

Ascending the valley looking to Totteridge

Kissing gate leaving the Dollis Valley 

The Totteridge Cross

Th

Church at Totteridge Cross

Greenway to Mill Hill

View from the Greenway

A local herd

The biggest mushroom we saw

A muddy section of the path

The weather was perfect. Sunny and cool

Meadows as far as the eye could see

A field of ripe corn

More meadows

Folly Brook

Leaving the woods, there is a game at the Mill Hill Cricket Club

The view from the top of Mill Hill

One of the best walks we've ever taken. And another end of the line.