Flipping between tranquil and the buzz of the suburbs

I had already decided to start Tuesday with an early walk and cover another section of the Capital Ring .  This time Greenford to South Kenton.  According to the guidebook it is the hillest!

It proves to be an interesting walk that provides an interesting  window on west London merging into the start of north London. The walk flips between green and tranquil and the buzz of the suburbs.

After the bussle of Greenford with its tube station and shops you are suddenly away from roads and houses and walking through some extensive wetlands called Paradise Fields (yes that it their name)

Then there is short section alongside the water of the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal.

This was very typical of the southern section of the GU.

Wide and broad and clean and clear tow paths.

After this the hilly sections begin.  First off up Horsenden Hiil.  Some bits are steep and others are brambly.  I got a bit lost on the way up as I took the alternative route through the visitors centre. 

The climb is a well worth it for the view!  However the hill is only 260 feet above sea level!

The climb is followed by a brilliant downward walk through Horsenden Wood. The path wonders through the trees however, there are plenty of other signed walks to follow but I do not deviate from the Capital Ring.

The route then takes you back to more houses and shops. 

This time it is Sudbury Hill.  

After a dreary high street with a tube and railway station the path goes up a few side roads to make another climb.  This starts as an old stony track known locally as Piggy Lane and becomes Sudbury Hill proper but sadly the hill is not a green and pleasant land it seems to be totally built up!

This soon become Harrow on the Hill with its public school founded in 1572, historic buildings and a great view over London.  This is the highest point (at 350 feet) of the whole of the Capital.

The downhill trek through the grounds of Harrow School through its playing fields and then meadows is really pleasant.  Once across a busy main road to Watford (A404) there is another treat in store.
It is Duckers Path which leads to a wood beside Northwick Park Hospital and a golf course.

This is the last treasure of the walk as the suburb of South Kenton is quickly upon you.
The walk ends abruptly at the station is built beneath the roaring Virgin trains heading for Euston and the clanking Bakerloo Line