1. Wandsworth

I do try to find somewhere of interest at the start of the route, before I get on the bus and this week was no disappointment. I came across the river Wandle and found a heron paddling in the water. I walked up the road and went into the shopping centre and saw a wall poster with information about the river’s history. Most of this information is unknown to the majority of people so I always like it when I find these notices. Just up from the shopping centre is Garratt Lane Old Burial Ground. It’s almost a hundred years since the last burials but there are still quite a few graves. The park has connections with the Huguenots (French protestants who emigrated here to flee persecution in Europe in the 17th century, bringing their weaving skills with them). Some of the headstones bear the name Chatting, an anglicised version of the Huguenot name Chatelaine.

Opposite the bus stop is the Grade II listed Wandsworth Town Library which used to be a court house. Sadly it was closed, being a Monday but the outside is really lovely to see.

2. Bridgend Road

On the bus, I then alighted at Bridgend Road and headed for Jews Row. This street probably originates from the 18th century, when the presence of a local Jew in an otherwise Christian area might have been deemed noteworthy. There had been a “Jews House” which later was bought by the Duchess of Marlborough but I couldn’t locate it. I did find the Thames and yet another heron parading in the water.

3. Tyrawley Road

I got back on the bus and went to Tyrawley Road stop and walked round to Rewells Street, to look for Sandford Manor House. This is allegedly where Nell Gwynne (mistress to King Charles II) was thought to have lived. I couldn’t find it despite walking up and down the street! I walked from there and came to Edith Row where I found Warr’s Harley Davidson shop – if you love these bikes, it’s worth a visit.

4. High Street Kensington

I took the 28 to High Street Kensington and walked round to Campden Hill Road. On the way up the hill, I came to Observatory Gardens, so called because an eminent 19th century astronomer, Sir James South, bought and renamed the small street, putting an observatory in his garden. The row of houses are really pretty though I didn’t actually see an observatory. Round the corner, I came to 80 Campden Hill Road which had been the home of Ford Maddox Ford. Further up is 118 which had been home to the poet G H Boughton and where he in fact also died in 1905.

5. Notting Hill Gate/Pembridge Road

Alight at Notting Hill Gate/Pembridge Road in order to visit the Kensington Temple. Founded as Horbury Chapel, and used by the Hornton Street Congregational church, it became the temple in 1935. It has a simple interior, though lovely stained glass windows and was a pleasant and cool stop on a very warm summer’s day.

While waiting at the next bus stop, I found a poster announcing that TFL want to remove route 31 and encouraging people to have their say. Time will tell if they do remove it but as it’s only 3 bus routes away for me, I will no doubt be using and reporting on it.

6. Harrow Road/Ladbroke Grove

According to the TFL website and the permanent announcements inside the bus, the number 28 was due to terminate at Kensal Rise. Imagine my surprise when we got to Harrow Road/Ladbroke Grove stop and I was told by the driver that this is now the permanent end of the route.

As I had expected to finish at Kensal Rise, I made the decision to go there anyway so hopped on the number 52.

7. Queen’s Park

I walked round to Queens Park which is a big open space, with plenty of amusements for young children and came across a curious wooden sculpture, made out of a tree trunk. This being my final place of interest for the day, I took a well-earned rest on a park bench and soaked up the view. Note that as of September 2022, the 28 now terminates at Kensal Rise