Alexandra Palace and the New River Head
The weather forecast was for sub-zero temperatures, fog, ice underfoot and amber warnings for the elderly and vulnerable to stay at home and keep warm. Our poor leader was struck down with a dreaded lurgy so Margaret M had to stand in. Despite this 18 valiant LWG members took their chances and had a wondeful day. With multiple gasps of fear and giggles as support was grabbed from a nearby member to prevent falling A over T we proceeded.Waymarks were missed, lost in the fog, gothic castles loomed and ghosts paddle boarded on the reservoirs but no one was mislaid and we were able to discover the New River. Tired and hungry we arrived at our lunch destination in the safety of Angel(s).
We now need to repeat the walk to find out where we went
Outward Travel: Moorgate 09.13am arrivesAlexandra Palace at 09.35am. Or if travelling from west London, Piccadilly line to Finsbury Park, change to national rail platform 7 or 8 to connect with above train which stops at Finsbury Park at 09.27am. Loos on platform 7. Please check TfL website for timings and latest travel advice.
Return travel: underground stations at Angel and Farringdon. Buses along Rosebery Avenue to Holborn for Piccadilly line
This linear walk follows, wherever possible, the route of the New River, a water supply aqueduct which brought drinking water from Hertfordshire to the City of London (see attached note). This remarkable, now somewhat neglected, engineering feat was conceived by Edmond Colthurst in 1602and completed by Hugh Myddelton in 1613. The walk takes in parkland, footpaths, pavements, typical London domestic architecture, some urban grot, repurposed pumping stations and other historic evidence of the New River. We pass through Hornsey, Harringay, Finsbury Park, Clissold Park, Canonbury and Islington, finishing at Myddelton Square close to Sadlers Wells.
There will be a morning break at Stoke Newington Reservoir where there is a café and loos. The walk will end with lunch (scheduled for about 2pm).
George & Monkey pub, 68 Amwell Street, EC1R 1UU. Pre-ordered lunch only. Pub takes card payments only. PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHOICES FROM THE ATTACHED MENU AND EMAIL MARGARET HYDE ASAP AND BY WEDNESDAY 7 DECEMBER LATEST. margaret.hyde@marg178.plus.com
SUNDAY ROAST MENU
SERVED SUNDAY 1PM TO 7PM
BAKED CAMEMBERT TO SHARE £9 Whole baked camembert with garlic and rosemary, served with homemade bread
SOUP OF THE DAY £6 Made fresh every Sunday morning, served with homemade bread
MEAT BOARD TO SHARE £10 Selection of cured meats served with silverskin pickled onions,
cornichons and grissini toast
GRASS FED BEEF £18 Slow roasted grass fed beef rump cap served with duck fat roast potatoes,
Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables and gravy
CORN-FED CHICKEN £17 Corn-fed chicken supreme served with duck fat roast potatoes, Yorkshire
pudding, seasonal vegetables and gravy
CAULIFLOWER STEAK £14 Slow charred and roasted cauliflower steak with a cheese sauce served
with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables and vegetarian gravy
(FOR VEGAN – NO CHEESE OR YORKSHIRE PUDDING)
STUFFED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM £14 Baked portobello mushroom stuffed with diced chestnut mushrooms, shallots
and herbs served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal veg and veggie gravy
ADDITIONAL GRAVY BOAT £1.50
DESSERT OF THE DAY £7 Please ask one of the team for todays dessert
CHEESE BOARD TO SHARE £10 Selection of artisan cheeses supplied by the team at Natures Choice,
served with homemade chutney and grissini toast
ALL FOOD MAY CONTAIN ALLERGENS
PLEASE NOTIFY ONE OF THE TEAM OF ANY ALLERGYS
CHILDRENS MENU
ALL ROASTS £11 All our Sunday Roasts made slightly smaller for kids. All roasts come with roast
potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables and gravy.
FISH FINGERS £9 Fish fingers, roast potatoes and peas.
MAC AND CHEESE £7 Homemade daily baked Mac and Cheese.
LUNCH SPECIAL
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY – 12NOON TO 3PM
ANY PIZZA & A PINT OF HOUSE LAGER OR A GLASS OF HOUSE WINE ONLY £13
EARLY WEEK EVENING SPECIAL
MONDAY AND TUESDAY – 5PM TO 10PM
ANY TWO PIZZAS
ONLY £14
SUNDAY ROASTS
EVERY SUNDAY 1PM TO 7PM
OPENING TIMES
MONDAY TO SATURDAY 12 NOON TO 11PM SUNDAY 12 NOON TO 10:30PM
NotesGradients gentle, some very muddy patches so boots and walking stick advised. We cross a number of busy roads so please be alert and take care.