Walk with a map

During lockdowns we walked for exercise, and to help continue the habit for everyday walking, a new pedestrian map has been created. The original Central London Footways map has been expanded for all Islington and Hackney. Like the original it links key destinations along attractive, low pollution routes, benefiting from the amazing knowledge of local guides.

David Harrison wants more 'parklets' created (Image: David Harrison)

You will find wonderful green routes along the Parkland Walk, the New River and Hackney Marshes and interesting links to them. There are routes through handsome streets of Georgian and Victorian houses plus stunning modern buildings, parks, High Streets and stations, and remarkable areas designed for children such as Murrain Road near Clissold Park. Children and pedestrians are also catered for by the increasing number of school streets and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, free from dangerous rat-running traffic. Hackney as well as Islington residents can take a stroll to Exmouth Market for a bite and a drink. This is part of the proposed largely, traffic-free Five Boroughs Link joining Walthamstow to Southwark.

Unfortunately, too much of the borough is still waiting for People Friendly Streets and plagued by through motor traffic, but even here the new map has plotted the quietest, most appealing routes until much needed improvements can be made.

The key purpose of the map is to enable individuals and families to walk to the main destinations as businesses open up, meet each other, explore neighbourhoods and interesting features and keep up the vital habit of exercise.

The map tinyurl.com/uwhuawcy is in draft for comment. So send yours and favourite features to hello@footways.london

Where possible, ditch the tube, shun the car, and walk. Have fun!