The London Loop is the a walk that meanders round the outskirts of the city exploring the rich spral of woodland and heath that is preserved within the boundaries of the suburbs. A rich opportunity for discovering the hidden gems within the Green Belt. It is a welcome and wilder contrast to the Capital Ring that I completed last winter: where green often equals playing fields and parks. Not that the London Loop does not pass through similar landscapes of municipal upkeep.
Yesterday was part of my catch-up. The path starts in Erith, a former village with vestiges of beauty situated on the south bank of the Thames. The path follows the industrial estates on the shore and turns southwards down the River Cray, a waterway that gives its name to many suburbs along the way: Crayford, St Paul's Cray, St Mary's Cray etc. Despite some small moments of delight such as the reed marshes east of Slade Green and the woodlands that insulate the walker from the surrounding city, streets, cars and dual carriageways soon intrude to remind you of the arteries and veins that criss-cross your path. There are many of these.
Yet, travelling southwards to Bromley, the woods become more open, the roads die away and the scenery becomes much prettier. Until, during the final stretch towards Hayes, one is in the countryside circling the village of Farnborough and the city is left behind. It only takes twenty miles to get out of it these days.
I walked out of the city yesterday.