From Abandoned Railway to Nature Reserve: Exploring London’s Parkland Walk

Running almost entirely through the Borough of Haringey, the Parkland Walk is London's longest nature reserve; a linear park which bears some resemblance to New York City's 'High Line' in that it occupies the site of an abandoned, elevated railway (although London's version is longer and older!)

In this video I'd like to take you on a tour of the Parkland Walk, heading from east to west, and along the way I'll tell you all about the railway which once existed here, as well as pointing out items of interest on and around the route.

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Chapters

00:00 Intro and New York City's High Line
02:41 Finsbury Park Station
04:19 Oxford House Film Processing Studio & the Parkland Walk's Entrance
06:52 Laurie Cunningham's Blue Plaque
07:40 The Site of the Former Stroud Green Railway Station
10:10 Mount Pleasant Villas
10:44 The Spriggan Sculpture
11:18 The Parkland Walk Goat Man & Stephen King Connection
12:16 Crouch End Station
13:26 Stanhope Road Bridge Construction Site
13:49 The Narrow Northwood Road Bridge
14:40 The Parkland Walk Bat Tunnels
15:41 Highgate Station and the Northern Heights Project
17:48 Highgate Wood & Peter Seller's Plaque
19:14 Cranley Gardens
20:06 St James's Viaduct, Muswell Hill
20:35 Muswell Hill Former Station
20:48 Alexandra Palace & the Former Alexandra Palace Station

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Links for this video:

The New York City High Line

The Parkland Walk

Alexandra Palace

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Credits

Images & Footage:

Maps: David Rumsey & The National Library of Scotland

‘What to Do in an Air Raid’

Parkland Walk Route Map

Stephen King

Crouch End Station: Bishopsgate Institute

Cow and Calf footage: Taryn Elliot (pexels)

Cranley Gardens: Disused Stations

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Sound Effects:

Steam Train: Benboncan (Creative Commons)

Cow Moo: spurioustran

Speeding up passing screeching car: reyborlaza

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Music:

Love or Lust (Quincy’s Moreira)

Ceremonial Library (Asher Fulero)

Shadoma (Mini Vandals)

Frightmare (Jimena Contreras)

Los Encinos (Quincas Moreira)

Quiet (The Mini Vandals)

SOUND EFFECTS:

Steam Train: Benboncan (Creative Commons)

Cow Moo: spurioustran

Speeding up passing screeching car: reyborlaza

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[Robslondon]

Thank you so much for watching! 

Have you explored the Parkland Walk yourself? And if you could turn any other abandoned railway into a similar nature reserve, which one would you choose? Please be sure to let me know in the comments.

[thewrecker]

Why are these first class documentaries not gettng more hits. In a different league to most similar subjects on youtube. Come on all you Robslondon fans start sharing on all social media platforms.

[nickgiles]

Another gem, absolutely fascinating. Thanks Rob.

[irenemacdonald]

Brilliant, really interesting Rob thanks !

[WagnerGimenes]

What a lovely presentation, Rob. Your videos are almost an ASMR experience. You should be proud.

[pamcullen]

A very enjoyable stroll, I feel I got my exercise in just watching, thank you 🦆💕

[FluffyMcFluffavicMeowskiOFluff]

Inspired by yet another top notch video, the Mrs and I went for a lovely 15 mile stroll last Saturday, following the path and locations you've highlighted in this video. We ended up doing it from Muswell Hill to Camden Town, via Finsbury Park ... We definitely earned a few pints that day 😅
Keep up the good work, you deserve a medal for all your efforts for London ❤🤍♥️

[johnimg]

I lived in South london most of my life so this isnt an area i ever visited, thanks for showing us around, all the time and effort you out into these vids is much appreciated , most dont understand how much effort needs to be put in to achieve this kind of vid, thanks very much and keep up the great work !👍

[PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

A subject about which I previously knew nothing. Most informative and entertaining. Thanks Rob.

[sharonleong]

Great and interesting sharing. I really love it. Keep up the good work. Thanks Robert. 👍👍👍😍😍😍

[dominicstevenson]

I lived in Muswell Hill for ten years and have walked that route many times but you taught me loads of new bits there! Thank you!

[vickybatchelor]

I do love disused railway walks... fascinating history of London and so great to see the bridges and platforms are still there 😀 It looks like you had some lovely weather, Rob. Thanks for your brilliant video 👌❤

[juvenalsdad]

Very interesting. Another item to add to the 'to-do' list should I find myself back in London.

[michaelwiggins]

I was mesmerised. It's heart warming to realise such cam be created and preserved by a group of like minded people.

[davehustwayte]

Hi Rob, Hope you are keeping well, Thank you for another fantastic and interesting subject. Appreciate the work that goes into these videos, Thanks again

[rhondafarmer]

Very nice to see normal everyday London for a change. Thank you.

[Evemeister]

I used to do midnight bike rides with friends on the parkland walk 20 odd years ago. Many accidents occurred but bloody good fun all the same.

[terrymoore]

Thanks Rob
I never knew this existed. Next time I am in London I will visit it.

[brianartillery]

Excellent video, Rob. A tiny mention of the abandoned Highgate High Level station, in a book, many years ago, started a fascination with abandoned LU stations, which led to the rabbit hole (sorry), that is subterranean London, and from there, wartime and cold war underground structures.
Thank you. 👍👍👍

[theukyankee]

The Parkland Walk is fabulous. Thanks for sharing the history of it and around it, which I've never heard before.