Description
This route is nearly the same as Kilham one, but avoids some problems:
- The original route in Swiss Cottage goes through a wall and private parking places, but going further down College Crescent and passing the footpath squeezing past the tube station you avoid that. I don't like walking through walls.
- It avoids the Abbey Estate, with a fence that can be locked, and I also found not a particularly safe route later in the day with low light. Instead it goes along Belsize Road. I did consider doing that all the way from South Hampstead, but the Alexandra and Ainsley estate is too iconic to miss
This route is nearly the same as Kilham one, but avoids some problems:
- The original route in Swiss Cottage goes through a wall and private parking places, but going further down College Crescent and passing the footpath squeezing past the tube station you avoid that. I don't like walking through walls.
- It avoids the Abbey Estate, with a fence that can be locked, and I also found not a particularly safe route later in the day with low light. Instead it goes along Belsize Road. I did consider doing that all the way from South Hampstead, but the Alexandra and Ainsley estate is too iconic to miss
Status
This route has been reviewed by 3 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Kilham two
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 3
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (3)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 5
Surveys
What is this route like?
Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.
| Grade 2X based on 2 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Note | ||
| Grade 2: Mostly smooth and compacted surfaces, but there may be some loose gravel, muddy patches or cobbles. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 2 surveys. | ||
| Full grading description | |||
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Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
Narrowest part of path: no data
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
We don't have clear data on the waymarking (2)
Successfully completed
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Recommended by an expert
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Terrain
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90.0% of the route is on roads (2)
80.0% of the route is lit at night (2)
95.0% of the route is paved (2)
5.0% of the route is muddy (2)
There is no data on rough ground
There is no data on long grass
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2 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Kilburn
Grid Ref
TQ2546483583
Lat / Lon
51.53722° / -0.19237°
Easting / Northing
525,464E / 183,583N
What3Words
bottom.breed.expand
Hampstead Heath
Grid Ref
TQ2724085629
Lat / Lon
51.55521° / -0.16604°
Easting / Northing
527,240E / 185,629N
What3Words
timing.little.bucks
| Kilburn | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TQ2546483583 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.53722° / -0.19237° |
| Easting / Northing | 525,464E / 183,583N |
| What3Words | bottom.breed.expand |
| Hampstead Heath | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TQ2724085629 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.55521° / -0.16604° |
| Easting / Northing | 527,240E / 185,629N |
| What3Words | timing.little.bucks |
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reviews
J M
07 Dec 2024I walked this from Kilburn High Road Station to Hampstead Heath Station.
Out of Kilburn High Road Station turn right and right again.
You’ll be walking along a busy Belsize Road.
Before too long, you cross in front of the Alexandra and Ainsworth estate. A surprising, valley shaped, green oasis on the walk.
For some reason the walk doesn’t go that way, but drops down to the local fenced in football area. Slightly less appealing. Fortunately, it does open out into a more green stretch .
Then you cross back over the railway tracks near South Hampstead station onto Belsize Road again. This part is a quiet tree lined avenue.
After traversing the various road crossings at Swiss Cottage, it’s not long before you turn right at the Sigmund Freud statue.
And from there a peaceful stretch until you arrive at Hampstead Heath station .
KSM
07 Dec 2024Walked from Kilburn High Street to Hampstead Heath.
From Kilburn High Road Station, you turn immediately right into the Belize Road and down the hill with the railway track on your right. You’re walking through older residential streets with new apartment blocks started to spring up.
You then turn right to cross a bridge over the tracks, then left through the Alexandra and Ainsworth estate. This is an amazing example of Camden Council’s housing from the 1960s in Brutalist style reminiscent of Le Corbusier. There is even a red brick road to follow through it. I see several delivery drivers walking its long length, grim-faced, parcels in hand. They are perhaps not as struck by the lack of cars, and any vehicle access, that I am. Unfortunately, signage states film and photography is banned, so you’ll have to go see it for yourself.
This trail actually goes to the right of the estate through a linear park with a less dramatic, but still interesting view of the backs of the flats.
Turning back over the railway, at a large green roundabout you turn right into Belsize Road again. Then you start a gentle climb through blocks of smart apartments.
At Swiss Cottage Station climb some stairs that very much feel like you’re coming in the back door, to cross the Finchley Road.
Turn right into College Crescent at the statue of Sigmund Freud glaring out at the world’s secrets. The Crescent bends past the NHS Tavistock Centre and some lovely Georgian buildings.
At a tree-shaded roundabout, you realise you are now very firmly in Hampstead, with organic shops and a colourful greengrocer.
At Royal Free Hospital, you turn right down the hill. Turn left and you’re at Hampstead Heath station. Plenty of nice coffee shops to celebrate.
A walk that has a few very interesting sights on it but rather dull in parts.
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Share your thoughts
Derick Rethans
10 Feb 2022This is Kilham One, with the route fixed in places were it was impassible in Swiss Cottage, and with a alternative near Kilburn due to IMO a not-too-safe section.
I walked this from Hampstead to Kilburn, and it is pretty much what you'd expect from the slightly upmarket area of Hampstead and Belsize - wide and quiet walking along roads and shops. It is busy at Swiss Cottage, and navigating to cross Finchley Road can be tricky. You can cheat and use the Swiss Cottage tube though, which can save some time. The Alexandra and Ainsworth estate is such an iconic building and makes this urban section interesting. The Abbey Estate should be avoided during the evenings, and walking along Belsize Road is advisable.
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