Extra Walk 42 – Greenford to Osterley
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 1/10

Take a Central Line tube (towards West Ruislip) to arrive at Greenford by 10:40 (every 5-10 minutes; a 30-minute journey from central London). Meet downstairs and wait for the 10:27 shuttle train from West Ealing to arrive at 10:39 (the alternative route for people in that area) before setting off.

Return is by Piccadilly Line tube from Osterley, or local buses if these are more convenient. Greenford and Osterley are both in TfL Zone 4.

Four months ago someone requested this as a weekend winter walk. A threatened tube strike on the Central Line scuppered its pre-Christmas appearance but we'll try again. The walk goes through lots of green spaces in west London and you can almost imagine yourself in the countryside when you reach Osterley Park, a grand estate managed by the National Trust. There's an admission charge for non-members to visit the House (which is hosting a ‘Made for the Table’ Exhibition; last entry 3pm), but not for the Stables Café or parkland.

The suggested lunchtime stop is the Plough in Norwood Green, a Fuller's pub which serves food all day. It's three-quarters of the way through the published walk but there's plenty of scope to extend it by exploring Osterley Park at the end.

You'll need to bring the directions from the Greenford to Osterley walk page. A recent comment suggested that the GPX route on the site might be slightly inaccurate in one or two places, so use with care. T=swc.42

Extra Walk 42 – Greenford to Osterley
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 1/10

Take a Central Line tube (towards West Ruislip) to arrive at Greenford by 10:40 (every 5-10 minutes; it's a 30-minute journey from central London).

There's an alternative route via train but you have to change. You'd need to take the 10:03 Heathrow Connect service from Paddington and change at West Ealing (arr 10:13, dep 10:27), arriving Greenford at 10:39.

Return is by Piccadilly Line tube from Osterley, or local buses if these are more convenient. Greenford and Osterley are both in TfL Zone 4.

Another urban walk for those allergic to mud, but this one's got lots of pleasant green spaces and you can certainly imagine yourself in the countryside when you reach Osterley Park, a grand country estate managed by the National Trust. There's no admission fee for the park or the Stables tearoom; last entry to the House is 4pm if you want to visit.

The suggested lunchtime stop is the Plough in Norwood Green, a Fuller's pub which serves food all day and got a very favourable review from some midweek walkers last year. It's three-quarters of the way through the published walk but bear in mind that there's plenty of scope to extend this short walk by exploring Osterley Park.

You'll need to print the directions from the Greenford to Osterley Walk page. T=swc.42

Greenford to Osterley

Book 3* Walk 42 * online only

Brief Description

Suggested Lunch stops

Suggested Tea stops

Map

Return train details

Extra Walk 42 – Greenford to Osterley
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 1/10

Take a Central Line tube which will arrive at Greenford by 10:40. On the West Ruislip line these run every 5-10 minutes and take about 30 minutes from central London (Oxford Circus).

Return is by Piccadilly Line tube from Osterley, or local buses if these are more convenient. Greenford and Osterley are both in TfL Zone 4.

In view of the threatened rail strike I'll post this outer London walk which should be feasible for anyone on the tube network. TfL have confirmed that these two lines will be running as normal. [If the strike is called off a longer country walk will be posted as well.]

While not exactly a country walk, this one goes through pleasant green spaces and passes some interesting features, not least an unusual triple bridge for road, rail and canal. It finishes in Osterley Park where National Trust members might be able to visit Osterley House, although their web site says that most of the house is only open for guided tours on Mondays.

The suggested lunchtime stop is the Plough in Norwood Green. This is quite close to the end of the walk so you could simply carry on to Osterley Park; there's no charge to visit the NT's Stables Café.

You'll need to print the directions from the Extra Walk 42 page. These haven't been updated recently so it's worth noting some helpful clarifications on the walk's Comments page.