Walking London’s Capital Ring from Crystal Palace to Streatham Common (4K)
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Great London Walk on the Capital Ring Walk 4. Join me on a scenic walk along the Capital Ring walking trail, from Crystal Palace to Streatham Common. This walk has some of London's best views. The Capital Ring is a 78-mile circular route that encircles showcasing its natural beauty, rich history, and culture.
Starting from Crystal Palace, we'll make our way through some of London's most picturesque neighbourhoods, taking in stunning views of the city skyline and beautiful open spaces.
The walk from Crystal Palace to Streatham Common is an easy-to-moderate 4.5-mile hike that is perfect for anyone looking for a break from the city's hustle and bustle. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner, this trail is a great way to discover London's hidden gems and appreciate its unique charm.
We pass across Westow Park, where one branch of the River Effra rises. Then walk over Upper Norwood Common, Biggin Wood, Norwood Grove, The Rookery (a really stunning spot) and end on Streatham Common.
So put on your walking shoes and join me on London's Capital Ring.
Link to Tfl Capital Ring maps
tfl.gov.uk/mod...
Previous Capital Ring videos
The Wonders of the Capital Ring (Richmond to Horsenden Hill) • The Wonders of the Cap...
Parkland Walk - Harringay to Highgate • Parkland Walk Haringey...
River Effra walk • Walking the Hidden Riv...
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Shot in 4K on an Olympus OM-D EM-1 mark 2 with audio recorded with a Rode Wireless GO
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To use your words John, I find your videos really comforting. This was warm, joyous and enchanting. Thank you for making it, and it's good that you're being won over by South London. Hope you're fully cold free now. Please never stop making these, and yes you're right, it's Strettam. Love it.
Cheers Steve
In the 1950's when I was a kid, after school (Sunny Hill School) I used to go to the common nearly every day and just appreciate the fresh air, shrubs and trees... Wonderfull souvenirs in my 77 year old head !
I am from Streatham Vale originally and we pronounce the river Graveney, 'Grave-Knee'. As children we would walk under the tunnels and culverts for miles much to our parents horror if they found out. The vale is basically straight down Greyhound lane from the bottom end of the common and the Graveney crosses the road around three quarters of the way down the vale past Streatham Common train station. Glad you've finally reached the proper side of the water lol. I live in Somerset now but still miss growing up going to the rookery etc. Thanks John.
Yes, thats how I used to pronounce Graveney. I had a school friend that lived in Trinity Crescent, Tooting Bec, who had a trap door in his cellar from which we could see the river running under the houses.
Yes, 'Grave-Knee' is how I know it (as a long-time Streatham resident).
@@ruadhagainagaidheal9398 Fantastic!
Thank you Dean! Grave-knee is quite correct. As an aside, I wasn't too keen on the description of the lodge house at Norwood Park as ''Gothicky''. Gothick is quite sufficient, but then I'm a bit of a purist!!
I'm also from Streatham Vale, and have many happy childhood memories of my early life there in the mid 1950's when Streatham Common was a favourite place to go. There were still wartime 'pre-fab' houses along the south side of the common, all of which were still lived in. There was also a large paddling pool almost opposite the junction with Greyhound Lane and I loved going there as a young child of 7 or 8. Unfortunately there was a serious outbreak of Polio around that time and the pool was closed for several years. I wonder if it's still there?
@@michaelinnes971 The paddling pool at the bottom of the common no longer exists. But:
It's recently been replaced by a fantastic-looking and popular children's adventure playground; and
The paddling pool close to the Rookery is back in use during warmer months thanks to voluntary donations and work.
A rare retread both musically and literally. Gorgeous light.
Another brilliant walk! Youngest son lived in Thornton Heath, so memories of the pull up the incline of Spa Hill- which intersects with Beulah Hill and then Harold Road up to Crystal Palace, and then when the baby arrived with the buggy too! The views from the top are awesome!
Best time to watch your clips is at midnight so relaxing crystal Palace all ways reminds of Alilexsanda Palace of South
Russ Abbott's 'Madhouse' did a spoof of 'California Girls'. "I wish they all could be Upper Norwood girls".
Brilliant
Great to see all these places, as I grew up in South Norwood in the early seventies. Interesting to see you end up at Streatham Common. My Nan lived at Streatham Common Southside in a House called 'Roswyn' it was named after the wife of Billy Butlin of the holiday camp fame. Not sure if it was a nickname. I think they lived there in the fifties, but could be wrong.
John, I really enjoy your videos, thank you for making them!
I don't usually post on the internet, but today I was walking around in Dudley where I live, and bizarrely bumped into Andrew Kotting who I know from your videos, which led me to watch one of his films (although my mind went blank when I bumped into him).
It was a surreal experience for me and I said I was a fan of yours and mentioned your videos. He said mention this in the comments so there you go! I've enjoyed your joint content with Andrew K so if you get the chance to do more that would be great to see. Bonus for me if you get up to Dudley!
What a brilliant encounter John - that’s made my day
A truly lovely area with lots of parks, woods and green spaces which let people breathe rather than being trapped by tower blocks that only the rich can afford. Long may it stay like that.
Throughly enjoy your videos each week John, I find them a great stress reliever. Looking forward to tomorrows walk, wherever that may be!
Looking forward to your walk along the River Gravity, best keep a Levity stick handy ;)
Wonderful walk, with my favourite music in the opening - love that tune. Also love ‘sarf London’.
thanks Roxy
Thanks John. I'm a Streatham boy and left for North Kent in 1968. Spent many an hour on the Common and my Nan often took me and my sister for walks to The Rookery. She also took us to the A23 end of the Common so we could watch the vintage cars on their annual pilgrimage to Brighton. I now live in Canada and my last visit to Streatham was a few years ago so I must get back again. Final word; having moved to Kent, when we would make family trips to visit Nan the route took us through Crystal Palace and that's what really drew me to your video (although we took the more direct route!). Cheers.
thanks for sharing those memories RP
@@JohnRogersWalks absolute pleasure John. thanks for that vid (first I've seen of yours); I love how London almost hides so many neat and fascinating historic features. I live in Canada now so I can't just jump on a train and do what you do so I will have to live through you at least for now. I mentioned the Capital Walk to my missus and it's now on our list! Cheers.
Lovely , wow I didn’t know the history of the great North Wood , good job they preserved Epping Forest.
Delightful tranquility in this beautiful walk, thank you! I noticed on the aerial views of Streatham Common, that there are lines and circles of past human interaction with the grounds. I love the history that is also under foot as well as the continued activity on the surface.
Thanks for another cracking trip around London very beautiful and interesting 🎉
I grew up in Crystal Palace and West Norwood. If you had gone to Norwood Park near Gypsy road off of Gypsy Hill, you can see the many landmarks in London from there, Tower of London, St Paul's cathedral, post office tower. It's a panoramic view. My road was an avenue into the park. So I saw that view everyday walking my dog. Great memories and definitely unappreciated as a child. Thank you for these videos, may have to do a trip down memory lane soon.
I have done Grove Park to Crystal Palace. Love Capital Ring ! Thanks a lot for this video.
John many a summers evening spent at the Rookery. Thank you for this walk in my home town!
that's such a beautiful spot Alison
Thanks for making this film John. When I was young I lived near Streatham Common and would roller skate around the block to Covington Way. I think The White House, as I knew it, at Norwood Grove inspired my early interest in history. I regularly enjoyed walks to the beautiful Rookery with its little wooden tea room. In my teens we moved to Upper Norwood.
I was a little disappointed you didn't walk past the old "hospital for incurables" as it was named at Crown Point. Fantastic looking building. It always drew my eye when I went past on the bus.
Keep up the good work.
Wonderful, as always, John. Re: your closing walking shot. Some years ago, CZcamsr (and former ITV newsman in the SE of England) David Johns of "Cruising the Cut" channel, provided a list of fellow CZcamsrs he recommended...and you were on that year's list! That very well might've been what led me to your channel! Anyway, some time later he did a video of walking some craggy hills and I commented that his walking shots were worthy of you, John! That comment got a ❤ from him...I think he was amused that someone made the connection!
I remember that shout-out from David very well. I’d been following him on CZcams from before Cruising when he made great camcorder reviews. I’m chuffed about the walking shot comment- many thanks
Your comment on St Reathem reminds me of a story a taxi driver told me , he picked up a fare outside Chelsea flower show and directed to South Chelsea ! When requiring directions he was told it was south of the river, Battersea ! Thanks again for splendid walk .
Norwood Grove was the home of Arthur Anderson one of founders of P&O. The Rookey is a hidden gem.
Greetings from Thailand. Thank you so much for a wonderfully nostalgic video. you past so many areas there that were part of my childhood that i haven't seen in over 30 years. I used to play tennis at Biggin wood. The mansion in Norwood Grove I remembered was a cafe/tea rooms. The Rookery was always a great place especially in summer where there used to be 2 paddling pools 1 at the top and 1 at the bottom of Strehaam common (notice the spelling/pronunciation.!)
I have walked a lot around this area John. I use memorial plaques as place markers which direct the trajectory of the walks I do. I have been very influenced by your approach to walking. You are a true inspiration!
that's brilliant to hear Mark thanks
Love these "out of town" walks. Thanks John.
Me too Gareth - this was particularly great as the rest of the city was in view the whole time
cheers john. another peaceful meander. much enjoyed.
might have been interesting at the start to find the point where 4 london boroughs meet. (Crystal Palace Parade?)
Beautiful! Bizarrely I'd not long returned from a saunter to Crystal Palace to find this had landed. On Weds I took a lunchtime walk near Little Wormwood Scrubs/W10 and it really did feel like Spring had sprung; a hint of blossom on the air coupled with the sudden realisation I might've over-layered. CP and its environs are stunning - those views! I recommend a wander through Stambourne Woods en route to Norwood Lake. Yes, please to a River Graveney/Wandle Delta Blues walk!
For even better views - of London or the North Downs a trip on a 68 Bus(top deck) to/From Croydon as it climbs the hills and plunges into the valleys has to be the cheapest trip out within London itself.
I'll try + give that a try this summer if I get the chance.
That was a lovely walk with beautiful views. I am continually astonished at the amount of open land & park land in London.
Recieved your book for my birthday yesterday! It is wonderful! Excellent present!
Happy Birthday Fiona - hope you enjoy the book
In the early 1980s there was an estate agent who referred to Battersea as South Chelsea.
It goes back further than the ‘80s. Flanders and Swann used the joke in the early ‘60s
Some great views at the start near Westow park and fox hill to be found , it’s a gorgeous part of town ( some bits are very steep though) Always a joy to see a new excursion.
I would suggest a variation starting at South Norwood Lake passing through Beaulieu Heights wood and Spa Wood before joining this route at Biggin Hill Wood. The 'White House' at Norwood Grove is now a private residence and a nursery school. There are streamlets cropping up all around this area. The Rookery is excellent and a great place to spot frogs, newts, demoiselles and dragonflies at various times of year.
I would also recommend the Hogsmill River Trail from West Ewell to Kingston.
Thank you John for another glorious walk. I ashamedly confess to know nothing about South London being a West London boy but enjoy the insights you give us all. You make your videos so atmospheric that we can almost feel like we are there with you.
Many thanks Reaper - I’m learning more and more about South London - I need to get out to the South West sections of the Thames soon
Did a stretch of the Capital ring, Wembley to Hendon, so nice very rural in parts, lots of woodland and open fields saw the Wembley Arch in the distance and Red Kite at the same time!
Love getting back from my Sunday walk, sit down with a cup of tea and watch your walk on a Sunday :)
Hope you enjoy it Ian
Great Walk.Nice locations..London, story telling Metropolitan city..Britain is Britain 🇬🇧
Love your stuff. Keep up the good work. There's actually a name for what you do: flaneur. I've been a flaneur as far back as I can remember.
My elderly mother and I watch your videos during dinner. She’s always been a walker and a nature lover, so your walk videos are just right for her. We are far away-Pacific Northwest, United States-but still enjoy.
Great video John, it’s very strange but I can never go south of the Thames , I cannot even drive south London. So really impressed by this walk. Thanks
Thank you for this of course-most interesting it is too. My sadly now late parents came from Croydon and other family members too. I have an Aunt who lives in Norbury and when we used to go and visit her and her family we would go via Crystal Palace and Streatham Common, which seemed very nice at the time too. I also had an Aunt and Uncle who lived in South Norwood but sadly when he died she moved to Caterham with her daughter and family too later on. My Grandma lived in Croydon but later moved to Eastbourne with her son and family there then too. Another Aunt lived there but then moved to East Grinstead. My parents moved from there to near Dartford, which is where I have always lived (I am now 55). Sadly I am disabled and have illness, so do not go that way now then, but this is most enjoyable though. Well done too!
The area around there is on the borders of the London Boroughs of Croydon and Lambeth as far as I know too. Crystal Palace also borders Bromley, Lewisham and Southwark if I remember from the A to Z maps of old too! Thank you too.
I felt the magic of the gardens at Streatham Common when I lived close by in the summer of 97. Thanks for sharing.
A great video as always John, we are so lucky to have so many green and open spaces in and around London. Thank you so much for your efforts and dedication it is much appreciated. Keep up the good work, Bob.
many thanks Bob
Glad you are feeling better 😊 nice video. 👌
As always John, your input provides such an inspirational start to the week, with such a calm, relaxing outlook upon life. Thank you!
so glad you enjoyed it Barry
More amazing content from you John
Thank you
Cheers Thomas
nice!! thanks for this, John!!!!
Just beautiful! Thank you for taking us out on this lovely London winters day!
Thank you for your videos, John. They are all most enjoyable. One of our Free-To-Airs screened the beaut "Muriel's Wedding" again a week or so ago. My wife and I watched it with renewed interest following information you gave in one of your previous walks.
That’s wonderful John - happy days, not sure I mentioned Heidi’s brother played the South African swimmer Muriel marries, he’s also a very fine Shakespearean actor
@@JohnRogersWalks No, I can't recall either, John. However, when you mentioned Heidi's role, a Wikipedia search connected her with Daniel. We have seen him in a number of the TV shows he has been in and his Wikipedia article is pretty informative. I notice someone has commented about South London. I also enjoy walks you undertake there. The Wandle one was special because we have been to bits of it ourselves.
Really enjoyed today's video. You're getting closer and closer to where I live!! Brilliant idea to walk the River Graveney, also named the Norbury Brook, when in Norbury. In many places it's open and you get good glimpses of it in a natural state. I've somewhere got a picture of ducks in the Graveney near to Southcroft Road, while was surprising and rather delightful!!
I’m looking forward to walking the Graveney/ Norbury Brook now Thomas
Thanks for video John!!
Cheers Tom
Nice to see you back in my neck of the woods, and I hope you’ve enjoyed your walk in this fine weather. This section of the LL is quite an up and down hilly walk.
Regards of the source of the River Effra. The info I got is that the actual source starts in someone’s back garden in a small estate in College Green, which is next to Westow Park.
Another splendid video, John. I was born in South London, we had Ruskin, and Brockwell parks. I like walks where I am surprised by what I find, but then, my walks don't end up on CZcams! At least not yet!
Love all your walks but I especially enjoyed this one as it took me back to the time I spent in the area; I was delighted to see my usual haunts from back then. Thank you John
St Reatham is just up the hill from Bree-on and St Ockwell. Don't forget Cla'hm and Bat-ers-ia - LOL
We need a map with these on along with Midtown, NoHo and Highgate Borders
How wonderful to have the ring walks to explore, I really enjoyed following along. Thanks.
Really enjoy your walks. Remember the petting Zoo at crystal place the sit on train and pony rides too in the 1980 when back with my youngest son 90s was destroyed I was told such a shame
lived in Streatham and walked the opposite way to Crystal Palace...to Selhurst Park to watch my Team, Tottenham....also used to walk the Green lane route...
Ah, The Rookery. I used to walk up to there from Streatham ice rink on saturdays with my older brother ( alas, dead these 55 years) Then get the 49 bus home to Wandsworth Common.
Brilliant walk I've done a few times.
The best part of Sunday is about to commence!
That’s lovely Linda - thank you
Such beautiful light on this walk…wow
Gorgeous. You know what? I always had an antipathy to Sarf London for no discernable reason (i used to joke that i got a nose bleed as soon as i crossed the river) but your videos are beginning to soften my stance too. Or maybe it's my age. Who knows? It opens up a whole swathe of the city anyway which can only be a good thing.
You mentioned Gorne Wood in Brockley, my old home, but I'd never heard of it. Have you ever included Brockley in a walk? If not you really should.
Hi Debbie - I feel like Brockley must be in a video but I'm struggling to think which one - maybe this czcams.com/video/MHnqcLAxbpc/video.html
@@JohnRogersWalks thanks John, I'll take a look, may have missed this one 😀
Thanks John.
Another gem, thanks John. I walked Section 4 of the Capital Ring last October, I wasn't aware who Covington was at the time, but now appreciative for what he achieved. I was struck by one spot on Covington Way with views to both the north and the south, thought at the time how enjoyable it must be to have such views from outside their homes.
Great walk with some marvellous vistas and calm oases. Thank you.
Lovely walk!
thanks Elizabeth, glad you enjoyed it
thank you John fabulous
my pleasure Kim
Thank you for this video. I am glad you remembered your camera and didn't leave it behind.
thank you so much JA
yes, whet a lovely view. fence at Biggin Hill could do with s clean. wot an eyesore. no cut backs/pruning of the trees these days. lovely little garden and love the sound of water. Big like.
John read the Phoenix suburb an amazing book. Unbelievable amount of history for one place.
I have the book Red but have rarely opened it
@@JohnRogersWalks I thought it was really interesting. Especially on river Effra. Maybe it is because I grew up around that area that I like it so much. Would have been good for this walk.
A balance of facts and spontaneity is one of the things we love about this channel, I reckon if it were a litany of information the charm of the walks themselves wouldn't quite come through the same.. I can assure everyone that the St. Reatham pronunciation is alive and well! Nice one John. 🌟👍
Ha, thanks William
Agree - limit the info give the feel and light and sights. Dogs, more dogs John
Beautiful scenery. Calming & refreshing Sunday (afternoon) walk with you. Thank you Mr.John Rogers! Always look forward to your CZcams videos. Take care of yourself. Be well. Blessings from Eastern Tennessee. 🌳🌾🌿🙏
Thanks Janet
Many thanks for the wonderful walk around the area of London where I was born, oh so many years ago! I was wondering if you might one day get to Norwood Grove. Apparently the grand house in the Grove, which I think used to be a public pavilion, is now a pre-school. Thank you!
And my older brother reminds me our parents used to play cards in the “White House” as it was called, as part of fund raising whist drives for the town council. Kids loved playing in the veranda as it was a great echo chamber. Perhaps it still is!
Excellent walk, beautiful light!
What a shock to see the state of the once lovely Rookery Gardens with the pergola pillars looking like they are about to tumble over if someone blew on them...
I have special memories of this area.
Nice video thanks
Glad your feeling better John . Lovely sunny walk
Wonderful as ever sir. By the way, I'm still waiting for the Withnail & I walk mate. 😂
10:10 -ish. I wonder if there are woodland deities? It isn't hard to imagine a Green Man or two lurking about in Biggin wood.
Another great walk aided by some cracking weather 👍🏻
Walked this exact same walk today! Great video.
A nice walk, John. Beautiful area of London. ❤
Captivating...👍.
Thanks Barney
Great walk John, I did enjoy the views very much. You mentioned at the begining about the Library in Thornhill Square, I joined that library in 1950 when I started Thornhill primary school and borrowed books every week right through until 1962 when I left Barnsbury girls school. I went to many lectures and talks by special guest at that library through the years. Thanks for the memories 💕🇦🇺
that's such a great library Liz, an invaluable resource when my kids were born
9:02 "The Towers of Croydon" sounds like the title of a pulp sci-fi novel!
We did the CapitaL Ring through last year, John. I totally recommend it to anyone.
Thank you John,"Sth London" isn't just a place it's an attitude, it's how ya carry yerself Squire :0) and again you are correct its Streterm,always has been and always will be Geeza :0)
Nice one John...
thanks Ralph
Who knew that fabulous garden was there. Not me! I've never been to Streatham but I hope to visit there one day. Every london place that you or Joolz show us. I immediately want to go there. Who knows such historic, interesting and beautiful places are all part of London. One of the families in my family history lived at Streatham. The son of the family William Roupell was MP for Lambeth until 1862. His father Richard Palmer Roupell 1782-1856 was first cousin to my direct ancestor William Henry Brand 1794-1857. They lived at "Aspen House Streatham" after them the family of spooky story writer Dennis Wheatley lived there and he grew up there. Later in life William Roupell was treasurer of the local gardening society which is quite funny really.
John,I hear lot of voices on the radio (ditched my tv,can't pay,won't pay) and they say..." all that brownfield land in cities,that's where to build all the crappy new tiny houses for poor people that they can't even then afford anyway. Don't build near my pretty village ,or my quiet market town (except on Saturday nights!),or my spacious exclusive suburb. You might think but they mean old factory sites but a lot of them,both Tory voices and Labour voices,they mean land like thise woods,of it's open space and it's legally in a city boundary,it's in their sights.
thanks for that Jane - so that must be who Roupell Street in Waterloo is named after?
Yes that's correct - they're always threatening Open Spaces, particularly those that have been reclaimed from industrial use such as former water and sewage works.
@@JohnRogersWalks his grandfather John Roupell he married Catherine Brand,and Catharines brother James Brand married John's sister Mary Rebecca Roupell.
Great walk as always John. And I’m glad your feeling better.
Thanks James
I'm totally going to be calling it St. Reatham from now on 😁
Please don't! (I've always lived here and think that descriptor is naff.)
Great..! |An area I know well - I went to school at the bottom of Fox Hill...
And I spent a lot of time in the Rookery as a kid...
Hello John . What a lovely area. The city of London could have been a hundred miles away. So peaceful. Capital Link! Was that a forerunner of the London! Loop? Or has it been created more recently?
Good question - I've just looked it up and seems they were both proposed in 1990 but the London Loop was launched in 1993 whereas the Capital Ring wasn't finished until 2005 (wikipedia)
Thanks!
many thanks indeed William - much appreciated
The listed house at the top of the hill at 12:12 was owned by the guy who started P&O. I read it somewhere.