The Spaniards Loop

A circular walk that starts and ends at the Spaniards Inn — one of the great English pubs, dating from 1585 — taking in the northern edge of the Heath, the Kenwood car park wood, and a section of the ancient Sandy Road that runs along the Heath's western rim. An ideal walk for a Sunday morning, finishing with a pint in the Spaniards' garden before the lunchtime crowds arrive. Start at the Spaniards Inn on Spaniards Road — the bus stops directly outside (bus 210 from Archway or Golders Green). Walk east along the Spaniards Road, noting the original tollbooth on the opposite side of the road. Enter the Heath through the gate opposite the car park and head south along the avenue of trees. The Kenwood car park wood to the east is an unusual mixed plantation — limes, chestnuts, and a few remaining elms — planted in the 18th century as a formal approach to Kenwood House. In autumn the colour here is dramatic. Bear west along the Heath edge above the Viaduct Pond — the brick viaduct visible through the trees was built in 1844 and now serves primarily as a backdrop for wedding photographs. Loop back north through the birch scrub and return to the Spaniards along the Sandy Road path.

Highlights

• The Spaniards Inn — 16th-century coaching inn
• Dick Turpin connection
• Original tollbooth on Spaniards Road
• Kenwood car park wood — spectacular in autumn
• Viaduct Pond and Victorian brick viaduct
• Sandy Road — ancient Heath edge path

Route Map

Route Waypoints

1. 1

   The Spaniards Inn

   Start & end — 16th-century inn, large garden, dogs welcome

2. 2

   Spaniards Road Gate

   Heath entrance — head south along the avenue

3. 3

   Kenwood Car Park Wood

   Lime, chestnut, elm — exceptional autumn colour

4. 4

   Viaduct Pond

   1844 brick viaduct visible through trees, popular with photographers

5. 5

   Heath Edge Path

   Looking west toward Golders Hill Park

6. 6

   Sandy Road

   Ancient trackway along Heath western rim — birch scrub and bracken

7. 7

   The Spaniards Inn

   Return — beer garden open from noon; arrive before 1pm on Sundays

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