Walking west from Spitalfields

Each week, I walk up to the West End and back a couple of times. It takes about an hour from Spitalfields to Covent Garden and I love this precious time of free-associative thought as I take my steps through the infinite spectacle of the city. When I set out, I usually let my feet guide me, but the first clear choice is whether to go north or south of Liverpool Street Station. South of the station takes me through the City and past St Paul’s Cathedral, whereas north of the station takes me via the Barbican and Smithfield or Clerkenwell. Most often, recently, I find myself walking through Bunhill Fields (pictured above) north of the Barbican, dropping in on Whitecross Street Market, then through Fortune Street Park, over to Smithfield and straight on to the West End.

As I walk back and forth, I’ll be reporting regularly to you on my recommended routes, discoveries and observations along the way.