NORTH LONDON / LOST RAILWAY / GHOST STATIONS
London’s Lost Railway & Ghost Station Walk
Follow a forgotten Victorian railway from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, where ghost platforms, deep woodland and a strange creature hidden in the brickwork turn an ordinary London walk into a proper adventure. The route links both sections of Parkland Walk through Queen’s Wood and Highgate Wood, keeping road walking to a minimum.
The route at a glance
Why this walking route is worth doing.
There are plenty of London walks that show you the famous sights. This one
shows you the London that nature quietly reclaimed.
The Parkland Walk follows the remains of a railway that once carried trains
between Finsbury Park, Highgate, Muswell Hill and Alexandra Palace. The rails
have gone, but ghost platforms, brick arches, cuttings and bridges still
appear between the trees.
The route isn’t completely continuous. The southern and northern railway
sections are separated around Highgate, so this version joins them through
Queen’s Wood and Highgate Wood. It turns the break in the old line into one of
the best parts of the entire walk.
Finish by climbing through Alexandra Palace Park for one of North London’s
great panoramic views. It is a wonderfully strange journey: part railway
history, part woodland escape and part urban treasure hunt.
THE GHOST OF THE RAILWAY
London forgot the railway. Nature took it back.
Passenger trains once travelled through these cuttings on their way between
Finsbury Park, Highgate and Alexandra Palace. The final passenger service on
the southern line ran in 1954, with the last train movement taking place in
1970 before the tracks were lifted.
Today the platforms remain, but trees, wildflowers and birds have taken the
place of steam and steel.
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LOOK UP
The Spriggan is watching.
Hidden high in the brickwork beside the old Crouch End platforms is a
folklore-inspired creature that thousands of walkers pass without noticing.
The Spriggan was created by artist Marilyn Collins in 1993 and has become the
strangest landmark on the entire route.
Route overview
The complete London lost-railway journey
Begin at Finsbury Park Station and cross the park to join Parkland Walk
South near Oxford Road. The old trackbed then leads through wooded cuttings,
past railway remains and the surviving platforms at Crouch End.
Look carefully around the brickwork near the Crouch End platforms for the
Spriggan, a large folklore-inspired sculpture that appears to be climbing out
of the old railway wall.
The southern section finishes at Holmesdale Road beside the sealed Highgate
railway tunnels. Leave the former line here and use the quieter connection
through Queen’s Wood and Highgate Wood to reach Cranley Gardens.
Parkland Walk North then follows a shorter surviving stretch of railway
towards Muswell Hill. Continue into Alexandra Palace Park and make the final
climb to the Palace and its enormous London view.
Main route highlights
- Parkland Walk South and its wooded railway cuttings
- Remains of Crouch End railway station
- The hidden Spriggan sculpture
- The sealed Highgate tunnels and important bat habitat
- Queen’s Wood and Highgate Wood
- Parkland Walk North
- Alexandra Palace and panoramic London views
Follow the route
1. Finsbury Park Station to the old railway
Leave Finsbury Park Station on the Station Place side. Cross at the lights,
turn left along Stroud Green Road and bear right onto the walkway just before
the railway bridge. Follow the Capital Ring link markers into Finsbury Park.
At the junction with the main Capital Ring route, turn left and cross the
footbridge over the railway. Turn right to join the old trackbed near the
Oxford Road end of Parkland Walk South.
2. Parkland Walk South
Follow the broad former railway line north-west through trees, embankments
and shallow cuttings. The route is generally easy to follow, but the coarse
surface, exposed roots and rough stones mean it feels more like a country
trail than a city pavement.
3. Crouch Hill and the possible live diversion
Before reaching Crouch Hill, check the latest Friends of Parkland Walk
access notice. If the bridge-maintenance closure is still active, leave the
trail at Crouch Hill and follow the official signed street diversion before
rejoining at Blythwood Road. Do not try to pass through a closed work area.
4. Crouch End platforms and the Spriggan
Continue towards the remains of Crouch End station. The old platforms still
sit on either side of the trackbed, slowly being absorbed by the woodland.
Just east of the platforms, look high in the brick abutment for the Spriggan,
the strange figure created by artist Marilyn Collins in 1993.
5. Holmesdale Road and the Highgate tunnels
Stay on the old railway until the southern section ends at Holmesdale Road.
The sealed tunnels ahead are not part of the walking route and must not be
entered. They are an important bat-roosting site. Leave by the steep access
slope and prepare for the woodland connection between the two railway
sections.
6. Queen’s Wood
Follow signs for the Capital Ring. Cross at the lights near the furniture
shop, turn right up Shepherds Hill and then left down the narrow path beside
the library. This drops onto Priory Gardens. Turn right, cross over and walk
up Priory Gardens until a small alley on the left leads into Queen’s Wood.
Follow the woodland path, cross Queen’s Wood Road and continue as the path
drops and climbs towards the Queen’s Wood café. This is a good point to stop
for a drink before the second half of the walk.
7. Highgate Wood to Cranley Gardens
Pass the café, leave Queen’s Wood and cross Muswell Hill Road into Highgate
Wood. Bear right and follow the path around the edge of the wood until you
reach Cranley Gate. Turn left after leaving the gate and take the ramp down on
your left to reach Parkland Walk North at Cranley Gardens.
8. Parkland Walk North
Follow the shorter northern railway section for approximately 750 metres
towards Muswell Hill. Look for the remaining railway features beside the
path, including old cable-carrying ironwork and concrete ducts left from the
abandoned plan to make this part of the Northern line.
9. Alexandra Palace finish
Continue from Parkland Walk North into Alexandra Palace Park. Follow the
park paths uphill towards Alexandra Palace, allowing time to enjoy the wide
view across London. The Grove Café provides a useful final stop with drinks,
light meals and toilets. Return by local bus or continue through the park
towards Alexandra Palace railway station.
THE WOODLAND LINK
Two lost railway sections, joined by two ancient woods.
The original railway route disappears around Highgate, but the detour is no
disappointment. Queen’s Wood and Highgate Wood replace the missing track with
shaded paths, mature trees and a useful café stop before the railway reappears
at Cranley Gardens.
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Before you go
Practical information.
This is a linear walk, so public transport makes far more sense than driving.
Finsbury Park is served by the Victoria and Piccadilly Underground lines,
National Rail and numerous buses. Buses also serve Highgate, Muswell Hill and
Alexandra Palace, giving several places to shorten the route if needed.
The full station-to-palace walk is approximately 5 miles / 8.1 km. The two
official Parkland Walk railway sections and the shortest connection are often
listed at roughly 5 km, which explains why different distances appear online.
Wear comfortable shoes with a decent grip. Much of the trail is coarse and
uneven, with rough stones, tree roots, small stumps and sometimes slippery
edges. Mud and standing water can develop after prolonged rain, especially
near the Finsbury Park end between Stapleton Hall Road and Oxford Road.
The complete route is not wheelchair or pushchair friendly. Almost-level
access is available at the Oxford Road and Blythwood Road entrances, but other
access points include steep ramps or steps. The Holmesdale Road entrance is
steep, some bridge approaches are difficult for unpowered wheelchairs, and
the woodland connection includes uneven paths and slopes.
Dogs are welcome and are currently permitted off lead on Parkland Walk, but
the route is busy and shared with walkers, runners and cyclists. Keep dogs
under close control, clean up after them and prevent them from disturbing
birds or entering sensitive habitat. Use a lead whenever recall is uncertain.
Food and drink are available around Finsbury Park, Crouch End, Highgate,
Queen’s Wood, Highgate Wood and Muswell Hill. The Grove Café in Alexandra
Palace Park serves drinks, cakes and light meals. Customer toilets are
available at many cafés, with accessible toilets near the Finsbury Park café.
The old Highgate tunnels are closed and must not be entered. They provide an
important roost for bats. Keep to the public route and leave wildlife,
railway structures and conservation areas undisturbed.
Use this as a daylight walk. Some sections run through enclosed wooded
cuttings, so keep your phone charged, tell someone your route and avoid
isolated sections alone after dark.
Terrain
This detail has not yet been verified for this route. Check the official visitor information before setting off.
Accessibility
This detail has not yet been verified for this route. Check the official visitor information before setting off.
Toilets and refreshments
This detail has not yet been verified for this route. Check the official visitor information before setting off.
Dogs
This detail has not yet been verified for this route. Check the official visitor information before setting off.
Safety
This detail has not yet been verified for this route. Check the official visitor information before setting off.
Seasonal considerations
This detail has not yet been verified for this route. Check the official visitor information before setting off.
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Useful answers
London’s Lost Railway & Ghost Station Walk FAQs.
How long is London’s Lost Railway and Ghost Station Walk?
The complete Days Out Now version from Finsbury Park Station to Alexandra
Palace is approximately 5 miles / 8.1 km and usually takes 3–4 hours with
photographs, woodland stops and the final climb. The two official railway
sections and their shortest connection are often quoted at roughly 5 km.
Does Parkland Walk run continuously from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace?
No. Parkland Walk South ends at Holmesdale Road and Parkland Walk North begins
at Cranley Gardens. This route connects them through Queen’s Wood and Highgate
Wood, which keeps traffic to a minimum and adds another attractive section to
the walk.
Is Parkland Walk dog friendly?
Yes. Dogs are welcome and are currently allowed off lead, but the path is busy
and shared with walkers, runners, cyclists and children. Keep your dog under
close control, use a lead when needed, clean up after it and protect the
wildlife living in the nature reserve.
Is Parkland Walk suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs?
Only some sections offer reasonably level access. The complete route includes
steep ramps, rough stones, tree roots, muddy ground and woodland slopes, so it
is not fully wheelchair or pushchair accessible. The Oxford Road and
Blythwood Road entrances provide some of the easier access points.
Where next?
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