This was a local bus route today which was just as well as it coincided with the Notting Hill carnival.

1. Edgware station

I made my way to Edgware and before getting on the bus, walked up the road from the station to the old Railway Hotel which is currently in poor repair but is being renovated. Round the corner is the former White Hart pub – now called the Change of Hart. The premises are grade II listed and it dates from the 17th Century. Both were used extensively at one time to put up travellers on their way to London.

On my way back to the start of the route, I went to St Margaret of Antioch churchyard. Dating back to the 13th century, the church had been used by the Knights Hospitaller and is now a grade II listed building. As the church wasn’t open, I wandered around the churchyard and came across some interesting graves. In 1907 coffins were discovered in up to 3 feet of water under the nave floor. A grave was erected with the reinterred human remains from these coffins.

In a corner of the churchyard is the tomb of Charles Day. He had a colourful life – he invented shoe polish, the chemicals from which had caused him to become blind. He had had a secret affair for years and his connection with Edgware is that his legacy allowed for alms houses to be built locally.

And so to the start of the number 32 bus route at Edgware bus station. 2. Montrose Avenue/Unitas Youth Zone

First stop today was at Montrose Avenue, to see the Silk Stream in Silkstream park. It’s a lovely park with the stream flowing through the middle as well as having sports facilities – including a skateboard park.

3. Burnt Oak Broadway

The bus route today took me along main roads and I found several charming buildings along the route, many of which had previously been cinemas when they were in their heyday. First was Savoy Cinema at Burnt Oak Broadway, built in the 1930s in Art Deco style. It’s now sitting empty and there’s some talk of converting the building into flats. Other old cinema sites will feature later in this blog.

4. Park Road

I got back on the bus to Park Road stop and went to see Brent Reservoir and all that it had in store. Strangely, I hadn’t been here before and it really is a wonderful discovery. The reservoir itself was pretty full (despite very little rain recently) and had birds of all shapes and descriptions swimming, gliding and flying. There are numerous walks around the reservoir and I will definitely go back and wander on another day.

5. Skardu Road

Back on the bus to Skardu Road and to visit Mapesbury Dell, a small conservation area off Kilburn High Road. It’s beautifully kept by volunteers and although small, has something for everyone. At the entrance to the dell is a tall wooden sculpture called Buzz Tower.

6. Buckley Road

From here, I hopped on the bus to Buckley Road where I got out and walked down the High Road. I walked into Kilburn Grange Park, a pleasant area with plenty of amenities. I had wanted to go to the Kiln Theatre (formerly the Tricycle) but unfortunately it was closed. It had originally been a permanent home for the Tricycle Touring company of actors which produced in particular British premiers of new plays.

7. Kilburn High Road

I wandered down Kilburn High Road and came across the former Grange cinema. Built in 1914, it was at the time, Britain’s largest purpose-built cinema, with its copper dome and a Wurlitzer. It has had various iterations since then and is currently a place of worship.

Walking to my next stop, I found a flagstone on the pavement which commemorates Sabrina Moss who was killed there as an innocent victim. A case of wrong place, wrong time. At least her memory will live on for ever.

So on to the original Gaumont State cinema. Built in the 1930s, it was among the largest cinemas in Europe, seating 4,000. Built in Art Deco style, it’s named after the Empire State building and to this day, the word STATE is written in large letters on the top of the tower. Over the road is the Old Bell inn, dating back to the 18th century. At one time there was a medicinal spring in the grounds of the inn but it’s long since gone.

8. Kilburn Park station

My final scheduled stop was at the end of the route at St Augustine’s Church. I had been there before on bus route 16. It’s a Victorian church built in the gothic style with a very tall spire. I had hoped it would be open this time but it looks as if it’s being renovated so I will have to come back on another day.

I walked to the station along Cambridge Avenue and came across a couple of interesting buildings. The first was Cambridge Hall, built in 1863 as St James’s Episcopal Chapel. It is made of corrugated iron and is a grade II listed building. Next door is the Animals War Memorial Dispensary. Originally built as a home in the mid nineteenth century, it was converted to the dispensary as a memorial for the animals who died during World War I as a result of enemy fire.

When I was researching this bus route, I thought it looked rather boring but in fact the opposite was true. From the lovely old buildings along Kilburn High Road to the hidden treasures of Silk Stream and Mapesbury Dell, it turned out to be one of the better routes. Memo to self – don’t pre-judge and literally go along for the ride!