The Capital Ring is a signposted circular walk of 78 miles (126km) around London. Divided into 15 ‘easy-to-walk’ sections it traverses some of London’s finest scenery, including open spaces, fine scenery, nature reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest as well as urban areas. The graphic below, courtesy of Transport for London’s very helpful and informative website, gives the general idea.

Over two and a half days commencing Monday 10th June I will walk the Capital Ring, counter clockwise, starting and finishing at The Dodo Micropub in Hanwell. The Dodo is close to Section 7 of the walk and while it won’t be open when I start, at 7:30 Monday morning, it will be open when I return around 13:30 Wednesday and I can’t think of a more fitting place to finish my walk. The Dodo’s fine ales and one of Mr Barrick’s legendary pork pies will encourage a timely return.

On Monday I will walk over 30 miles from The Dodo in Hanwell to The Rusty Bucket in Eltham. Why? Because many months ago I met Rachel, now co-proprietor of this wonderful micropub, in The Dodo when she popped in for a chat and left inspired. Those of us who met her said we would visit once the Rusty Bucket was up and running. And it’s time we did. I plan to be there at opening time at 4pm having left The Dodo at 7:30. This day will see me walk through or around Brentford, Richmond Park, Wimbledon Common, Wandsworth Common, Streatham Park, Norwood, Beckenham and Crystal Palace to Eltham.

On Tuesday I will walk from Eltham via Falconwood, the Woolwich Foot Tunnel, London City Airport, the Olympic Park, Hackney and the River Lea to Finsbury Park and on Wednesday I will start early, around 7am, in order to enjoy an ale and pork pie at the Dodo, all things being equal, by around 1:30. My route in the final day will be via Highgate, East Finchley, Hendon, Harrow and Greenford.

Should anyone want to join me for a section or two on my fairly sprightly trip around some of London’s finest scenery please let me know and I’ll share the section timings. Or maybe you fancy a visit to The Rusty Bucket? Otherwise I hope you will enjoy the blog which will aim to take you with me in words and pictures.