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Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

A route that fits the pattern of many in North London: slightly awkward sections through streets around the start and end points with a glorious green walk in the middle.

The route starts at Wood Green Tube and finds its way largely through off-street alleys to Bounds Green Road. After passing Bounds Green Tube, it turns through residential streets to cross the North Circular road via the footbridge at the corner with Bowes Road and Wilmer Way before entering Arnos Park and following the Pymmes Way to Oak Hill Park. The last section returns to the streets en route to Whetstone station.

Given the route constraints around the start and end points, there is little that can be done to significantly improve the route without, perhaps, adding a reasonable amount of extra distance. Both ends of the route include steps so make it unsuitable for wheels.

There are a few minor points that might marginally improve the route: turning at Bounds Green Tube to head down Brownlow Road and crossing the North Circular at the lights rather than using the footbridge could be an option that would avoid some of the awkward streets north of Bounds Green while the short leg into Oak Hill Park feels a little unnecessary.

A pleasant and interesting walk across changing urban demographics from urban centre to outer London suburbia. Fascinating to see how London changes along the length of this walk. If you like your walks to have a narrative arc, I'd recommend doing this from Wood Green to Whetstone.

Wood Green is a typically vibrant and grimy local urban centre with a few hidden gems (photo 1). The route soon gives way to a more suburban feel with classic north London 30s architecture including its tube stations (photo 2). Much of the route shadows the Piccadilly line both below and above ground. Not long after Bounds Green Station the route takes you along quieter roads leading to the passage between terraces (photo 3) reminiscent of the Haringay Ladder on neighbouring #WooDal Two.

You are thrust back on to the main road as you cross the North Circular (photo 5) but thankfully soon return to quieter roads before joining the wonderful Arnos Grove Park (photos 6 and 7). This is an unexpectedly secluded green space bound by mature trees with still a sense of 'country estate' to it despite being surrounded on all sides by main roads and housing. The path and brook makes this an easy stretch to navigate in pleasant surroundings.

From here onwards the route carefully sticks to ribbons of green space for a few km, only leaving it for the final climb through well-to-do suburbia as you approach Totteridge and the end of the walk.

I walked from Whetstone to Wood Green. After a short walk with some steps through suburban residential streets you pass a café at the entrance to Oakhill Park. At the bottom of the park a right turn takes you onto the Pymme's Brook Path which is signposted. This is a lovely section of almost 3Km along a tarmacked path alongside the brook through parkland. Then more suburban streets and along the unpleasant A109 past Bounds Green station, there are some nice cut-throughs (more steps) before a high street to Wood Green Station.
Apart from 2 sets of steps this can be done by wheels although the photo shows that prams can navigate the steps.

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