1. Start of the route at New Cross

Before getting on the number 36, it’s worth a visit to Deptford Town Hall, which is shared with Goldsmiths College (University of London). It’s a grade II listed building and has a very interesting history. It was acquired by Goldsmiths in 2000. Originally a private boarding school for boys, it was bought by the Royal Naval School to educate the sons of officers in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
After the Naval School moved out in 1889, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, one of the most powerful of London’s ‘City Livery Companies’, purchased the site and buildings.

2. Hanover Park

A few minutes’ walk from here is New Cross bus garage, the start of bus route 36. Hop on the bus and get out at Hanover Park and walk to Bellenden Road. Here you’ll find some unexpected street furniture made from cast iron, by Antony Gormley a local resident. Named Somewhere, he chose to model the bollards in the shapes of a snowman, peg, penis and oval. As part of the same regeneration project, are some new lighting columns with an individual bespoke design by Tom Phillips, another local resident.

Also in Bellenden Road is a wall photographic exhibition of the area over the years as well as some graphic street art on the corner of the road with Choumert Road.

3. Vestry Road

Back on the bus towards the Vestry Road stop and walk round the corner to Lucas Gardens. Occupying the former grounds of a terrace of Georgian houses, it’s a pleasing ornamental green space with winding paths, mature trees, flower beds, benches and a small playground.

4. John Ruskin Street

And so to South East Side Gallery at John Ruskin Street stop. The outside wall gallery is inside Kennington Park and takes up many metres of wall, depicting life in the area, then and now.

5. Rochester Row

From here, visit St Gabriel’s Church in Warwick Square. The organ is currently being renovated, with the church having been consecrated in 1853. Built in Gothic style, one of the endearing features is that the twelve columns supporting the nave are capped with heads of the twelve apostles.

6. Marble Arch/Edgware Road

There are many beautiful streets and squares in London and in particular in the area of Bayswater. So visit Connaught Square to see an example of Georgian style grade II listed buildings. The former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and his wife Cherie bought number 29 some years ago – though they don’t live there any more.

7. Sussex Gardens

Back on the bus to Sussex Gardens and walk a few minutes to the Floating Pocket Park in Merchant Square. The structure rests on a series of pontoons constructed from recycled materials – one of which is designed to attract ground-nesting birds. The park is calm and an oasis in the heart of a busy area of London. Also here is The Fan Bridge, a moveable pedestrian bridge spanning the canal. It is architecturally and mechanically unique, and when opened, the segments of the bridge are brought to varying angles of elevation. The visual effect when opened has been likened to that of a Japanese fan.

8. Chippenham Road/Shirland Road

Take the bus to Chippenham Road/Shirland Road and on the corner of Shirland Road and Elgin Avenue, you’ll find a red-brick building with J Welford & Sons over the top of the front door. This was a dairy and had been started on a small scale in 1845 by Mr Welford. When he died 10 years later, his wife and sons took it to a different level – and even became a supplier to Queen Victoria. Welford’s also prided themselves on the high quality and cleanliness of their milk, a rarity in Victorian England.

Round the corner are the Maida Vale Recording Studios which have not been used since 2018. It’s been designated a grade II listed building by Historic England. Many famous and important musicians have recorded here in the past, as well as drama sessions for the BBC. In the foyer are photos of some well-known recording artists – none is named, so you can test yourself and see if you recognise any!

This being almost at the end of the route, it’s possible to take a brief walk to Queens Park station.

Extra information: I’ve been asked about toilets along the route/s so these are where it’s possible to go, without paying. Obviously you could go to a café for a drink and use their facilities instead!

• Deptford Town Hall
• Hilton London Metropole