Parkland Walk: London’s Historic Railway Trail

If you’ve ever walked the old railway line in Paris, then the Parkland Walk in London might give you that same feeling of peaceful escape, only with a very British twist. I had been wanting to do this walk for a while, especially after hearing how it follows a disused railway line all the way to Alexandra Palace.

A Green Escape Through North London

I live in Shoreditch, so getting to the start of the walk was super easy, no long commute needed. WE started by having a pastry and a coffee at Popham’s, London’s favourite bakery and head to Finsbury Park station to start Parkland Walk.

It turned out to be the perfect day for it too: around 22°C, sunny, with just enough of a breeze to keep things comfortable. One of the best parts? Most of the trail is shaded, which makes it an ideal walk even when it’s hot out. No melting in the midday sun!

The walk starts at Finsbury Park, and from the get-go, you’re stepping away from the city buzz. You pass by tennis courts, and soon enough, the urban noise fades into the background. The path is clear and well signposted, you can actually put your phone away and just follow the trail.

Brick railway arch covered in graffiti along the Parkland Walk trail in North London

There are a few spots along the path where you pass under old bridges and climb gently uphill, just enough to catch a new perspective of the city through the trees.

The old railway

The trail winds through trees, under bridges, and past old brick railway arches. It really feels like walking through a leafy time capsule. Parkland Walk follows part of the Edgware, Highgate and London Railway, with the section from Finsbury Park to Highgate originally opening in 1867. Along the way, you’ll spot several reminders of its past life: the platform at Crouch End Hill, the station house on Stapleton Hall Road, and the viaduct near Muswell Hill.

Disused train platform overgrown with greenery at Crouch End Hill on the Parkland Wal

Interestingly, if you look at London Underground maps from 1938, they actually show the line between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace as “under construction.” But the work was eventually abandoned and never completed. Makes you wonder, are there ghost stations still out there, hidden beneath the city like Aldwych?

The guardian of the Parkland Walk

If you look closely along the way, especially near the arches, you might spot something unexpected. Above one of the graffiti-covered walls, there’s a strange creature-like statue crawling down the bricks. It’s easy to miss, but adds a quirky touch but this can look creepy too…

The Wildflower Trail

Don’t miss the little gate that leads into the wildflower garden, it’s tucked away and honestly easy to walk right past. But if you spot it, step through. You’ll find yourself in a peaceful patch of colour, especially lovely in spring and early summer when everything’s in bloom.

entrance of the wild flower trail by the Parkland Walk

Colorful wildflowers growing beside a shaded footpath on the Parkland Walk

Coffee break in Highgate

Highgate is roughly the halfway point on the Parkland Walk and a great place to stop for a coffee or quick break in this quiet corner of North London. It’s also one of my favourite parts of the walk, not just for the ice coffee, but because Highgate itself is a cute little pocket of London. It feels a bit like a village, and it’s worth wandering off the main path for a look around.

I went on a weekend and was pleasantly surprised by how chill it was. Sure, the stretch between Finsbury Park and Crouch End is a bit busier (lots of dogs, runners, families and even bicycles) but it never felt packed. The rest of the walk was peaceful, shaded, and easy to follow, with very little elevation.

Highgate Wood: A Forest in the City

After stopping in Highgate, the trail goes through Highgate Wood before continuing toward Alexandra Palace. Ancient oak trees and soft forest paths. The contrast with the old railway trail makes the walk even more interesting. It’s also a great picnic spot!

Shaded woodland path through Highgate Wood with sunlight filtering through the trees

When you approach Muswell Hill, the Parkland Walk rises onto an old railway embankment with views over London skyline. The path here is lined with iron railings, remnants of the former infrastructure.

Panoramic city view from the elevated Parkland Walk near Muswell Hill with iron railings

Finishing with a View: Alexandra Palace

Eventually, the path brings you out near Alexandra Palace, and I was surprised! I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but it really does feel like London’s version of Montmartre, with wide open views and a slightly grand, faded charm. Don’t just stop at the view, go inside the palace if it’s open. The glass roof is beautiful.

Built in 1873, Alexandra Palace burned down twice, but came back both times. More importantly, this is where the BBC made its first television broadcast in 1936, so you’re literally walking into a piece of broadcasting history. Inside, there’s a concert hall, an ice rink, and an old theatre. You can even see old cameras from the BBC.