East Finchley to Gospel Oak: Mansions & Lost Rivers with Author Paul Talling

Event information

This guided walking tour with Paul Talling, author of London's Lost Rivers and Derelict London, starting at the Art Deco East Finchley station, takes in the UK headquarters of McDonald's and its 'Hamburger University,' the flat where Peter Sellers lived with his mum and the house where George Michael was born.

The highlight of the tour is our walk along the length of The Bishops Avenue (aka Billionaires Row) - lavish homes owned by monarchs, business magnates, and celebrities. Many of the houses are influenced by designs of Ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome, as well as traditional English country houses. Some are in pristine condition, though some are in a run-down condition. Paul gives a running commentary of who owns (or owned) each house and sometimes associated crimes committed. The Guardian revealed in that in total, 16 of the properties (an estimated worth of £350 million) are derelict and have not been lived in for several decades. According to one resident, perhaps only a handful of the houses are occupied on a full-time basis.

On the final leg of the tour, we pass Kenwood House, a former stately home on the northern boundary of Hampstead Heath. Within, its grounds, we look at some of the head streams that feed the River Fleet, one of the largest of London's subterranean rivers. Many of you will already have been on Paul's Hampstead tour looking at the streams that feed the Hampstead Ponds but this tour focuses on the Highgate ponds before the Fleet descends underground as a sewer.

The tour starts at East Finchley station (High Rd exit) and ends at Gospel Oak Station (Overground). The time estimate for this walk is roughly 4 to 4 1/2 hours from start to finish.

Recommended for pre-walk fry up - Casa Pepe, 89 High Rd, N2 8AG (turn left out of station & it is a 5-min walk)

Dogs are welcome. The tour does not involve trespassing on private property.

By purchasing a ticket for a walk, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

* Although public liability insurance is held, the organiser shall not be held responsible for accidents, injury, loss or damage to persons or property as a consequence of participation in Paul Talling's walks. Ticket holders are responsible for their own safety while taking part in a walk. The guide is responsible for showing ticket holders sites of interest, but not to steward ticket holders across roads etc.

* The tour goes ahead regardless of the weather. No refunds due to inclement weather are given.

* The walk will depart promptly at the advertised time & will not wait for late-comers. If a ticket holder misses the walk, no refund will be given. You are strongly urged to check TFL for weekend engineering works that may affect your journey.

* Once a ticket has been purchased, the agency is unable to offer a refund or swap dates.