The London Loop

by David Sharp

The Loop?or "London Outer Orbital Path"?is a 140-mile walking route around the capital’s periphery that utilizes the network of rural footpaths linking the secret ribbons of greenery that still survive amidst the suburban sprawl. In this guide the route is divided into fifteen sections, each representing a reasonable day’s walking and starting and finishing at locations readily accessible by public transport. Users of the guide will be astonished at the extent and variety of the countryside that still exists within the orbit of this "walker's M25" and at the number of fascinating sites?ancient woodlands, historic buildings and parklands, picturesque villages, rivers, canals, and nature reserves?to which the Loop will lead them.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

165 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Ed Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the whole the signage on the LOOP is very good, meaning that you could probably find your way around this track for about 80% of the distance without a problem. However, for those areas where the signs are pointing in the wrong direction (for example, it seems the students have enjoyed realigning every single arrow in Kingston) or absent altogether (especially in wooded areas where multiple tracks cross) then this book proves invaluable. Sometimes the descriptions are a bit weird or arbitrary, or just outdated due to the restructuring of fields or the route itself, but even in these cases the Ordnance Survey maps will come to the rescue. I did the Heathrow stretch in the winter and one of the paths was totally flooded and impassable, but the maps allowed me to find a diversion on the streets without any difficulty.

It may be that there's an electronic route available using some kind of smartphone app, rendering even the maps useless. However, there's a wealth of detail included here that adds an extra dimension to the walk, over and above the information provided on the many LOOP or other information panels in various parks or riverside walks. Sharp provides little nuggets of history at relevant points, including interesting diversions to sights off the route that are worth visiting.

I really enjoyed this walk - and I'd recommend it to anyone living in London as a magnificent escape from the urban sprawl, as well as to gain insights into the city itself - and a great deal of that enjoyment was down to this book.

[Scott Westron · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unhelpful obsession with triangles of grass or the asphalt ground became a bit of a running joke during our walks but on the whole this is interesting and easy to follow.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you plan on doing the London LOOP, you should, without a doubt, have this book. But not because it's amazing. There are missing signs, and signs pointing the wrong direction, and it can be easy to loose your way. This book has very handy OS maps, which are great for moments of uncertainty. And you will have them, as the book itself gives sometimes vague text-based instructions. Phrases such as 'in awhile', 'continue for a distance', 'soon' are common place. I have seen other guides use distances and cardinal directions, which are extremely helpful and lacking here.
All in all, a must have for Loop walkers.