Welcome

We're pubtastic this week. We've got a handful of north London walks that end in a cozy pub, and news of the iconic Ye Olde Swiss Cottage pub.

🍻 4 North London Pub Walks

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Winter's chill shouldn't deter you from exploring London's scenic routes, especially when each journey concludes at a welcoming pub. Here are four delightful winter walks, each ending with a cozy spot to warm up.

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1. Highgate Cemetery to The Flask

Begin your journey at the historic Highgate Cemetery, where Victorian architecture and serene pathways offer a tranquil escape. After exploring the notable graves and lush surroundings, make your way to The Flask in Highgate. This charming pub provides a warm atmosphere, perfect for unwinding with a hearty meal and a pint.

The Flask, 77 Highgate West Hill, N6 6BU

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2. Little Venice to The Warwick Castle

Stroll along the picturesque canals of Little Venice, admiring the colourful houseboats and tranquil waters. As your walk concludes, head to The Warwick Castle, a traditional pub nestled in the heart of Maida Vale. With its warm interiors and classic British fare, it's an ideal spot to relax after your scenic walk.

The Warwick Castle, 6 Warwick Place, Maida Vale, W9 2PX

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3. Hampstead Heath to The Holly Bush

Traverse the rolling hills and woodlands of Hampstead Heath, capturing panoramic views of the city skyline. Conclude your journey at The Holly Bush, a historic pub with low-beamed ceilings and roaring fireplaces. It's the perfect place to unwind with a comforting drink in hand.

The Holly Bush, 22 Hollymount, Hampstead, NW3 6SG

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4. Alexandra Palace to The Faltering Fullback

Start your walk with breathtaking views from Alexandra Palace before following the Parkland Walk, a peaceful four-and-a-half-mile trail along a disused railway line to Finsbury Park. End your journey at The Faltering Fullback, a lively, greenery-covered pub with a Thai-inspired menu, Gaelic football on TV, and a charming beer garden.

Faltering Fullback, 19 Perth Road, Stroud Green, N4 3HB

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Each of these walks offers a unique glimpse into London's winter charm, seamlessly blending natural beauty with the city's rich pub culture. So, bundle up, embrace the crisp air, and reward yourself with a cozy retreat at the end of your journey. 🍻

Events

KIDS

Saturday 15th February

​The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show | Sat, Feb. 15 | 2:00 pm to 2:50 pm | artsdepot, N12 0GA | £14 | Eric Carle's timeless stories leap from the page to the stage in this delightful show featuring a menagerie of 75 loveable puppets.This vibrant production faithfully adapts four stories by author & illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Busy Spider and of course, the star of the show – The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

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​Mini Chef Workshop | Sat, Feb. 15 | 11:00 am to 12:30 pm | Millbrook Park, NW7 | £25 per child | Come join for a cooking workshop and we have a few lovely little surprises planned. Example menu of what our little chefs will learn to make: personal pizzas, dimsums, healthy brownie date balls. Healthy snacks provided to fuel them little chefs up.

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ARTS

Monday 10th February

​Community Culture Craft | Mon, Feb. 10 | Chipping Barnet Library, EN5 4QT | Free | Throughout February, visit The Gallery at Chipping Barnet Library to see 'Community, Culture, Craft' by Rosalin Gorur. A recent BArch graduate from the University of Nottingham, Rosalin created a student project for a craft learning centre, woven artworks and a handheld loom.

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Sunday 16th February

​Imagining the Landscape Workshop | Sun, Feb. 16 | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Stephens House & Gardens, N3 3QE | £25 | Join visual artist Rebekah Dean on a walking and drawing workshop that aims to conjure the imagination. You will be walking and photographing the Gardens at Stephens House, and creating mixed media compositions and drawings from your experiences.

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COMMUNITY

Tuesday 11th February

​Valentine’s Day 1 to 2 Throwing Workshop Morning | Tue, Feb. 11 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | Woodberry Grove, N12 0DN | £220 | Make handmade bowls and cups with your loved one. During the two-hour workshop, you will be able to make 2-3 pieces. One month later you can come and collect the pieces that you made.

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Saturday 15th February

​STEM Week - RAF Museum | Sat, Feb. 15 | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | RAF Museum London, NW9 5LL | Join the RAF Museum this February Half Term for STEM Week. From an awe-inspiring maths-themed Bubble Show to a super Laser Tag sessions, there will be so much to keep all entertained all day.

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OLDER PEOPLE

Wednesday 12th February

Camilo's World Music - Singalong and Lunch | Wed, Feb. 12 | 11:30 am to 12:30 pm | Candlewood House, Bentley Drive, NW2 2TD | £5 | Sing along to hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s plus Latin American folksongs. Whether you love Elvis, Mozart, Bob Dylan or Richard Strauss, there's something for everyone. Email.

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MUSIC

Sunday 16th February

​Burgh House Series: The Diva | Sun, Feb. 16 | 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm | Burgh House, New End Square, NW3 | £25 | Inspired by the great Renée Fleming, rising young soprano Georgie Malcolm will bathe you in glorious music performed by lyric sopranos, from Mozart and Handel to Bizet.

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Tuesday 18th February

​OperaUpClose: Riders to the Sea | Tue, Feb. 18 | 8:00 pm | artsdepot, N12 0GA | £18 | OperaUpClose in association with MAST Mayflower Studios present Vaughan Williams’ and JM Synge’s Riders to the Sea, with a new dramatic prologue and chamber orchestration by Michael Betteridge. A man, full of unshed tears and haunted by the ghosts of his past, finds himself drawn back to the sea, and the memory of his mother, his sisters, and a great loss.

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SPORT

​Yoga For A Cause | Sun, Feb. 16 | 11:30 am to 1:00 pm | St Marks Church, EN5 5HY | Donation based | We’re excited to host a Charity Yoga Session in support of the British Heart Foundation. Let’s come together for a rejuvenating hour of yoga, followed by a 30-minute talk on heart health all for an amazing cause.

Events - Book Ahead

Sunday 30th March

​Mother's Day High Tea | Sun, Mar. 30 | 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Stephens House & Gardens, N3 3QE | £28 per person | Treat Mum to a traditional High Tea Served in the historic rooms of the Main House at Stevens House and Gardens.

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Monday 31st March

​Community Quilt Barnet Workshop | Mon, Mar. 31 | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Finchley Church End Library, N3 2LN | Free | CommUnity Quilt Project Barnet is a social justice-motivated creative initiative. The project aims to promote cohesion and unity through creating a community patchwork quilt, and is particularly focused on welcoming migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Participants create a 25x25cm patchwork square representing their interpretation of "peace", "community" or "unity".

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Saturday 26th April

​Girl Guides Workshops - RAF Museum | Sat, Apr. 26 | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | RAF Museum London, NW9 5LL | £3 | A hands-on presentation about the links between Girl Guides and the RAF from 1919 to present, including stories of inspirational women a chance to explore and handle objects from our collection. The opportunity to try on real RAF uniforms and take some great photos.

Local Lowdown

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Collecting

• Literary legacy. Celebrate George Orwell with the new £2 silver proof coin. Orwell lived not too far from Finchley. The coin features iconic themes from his visionary works. Grab it - it's limited edition.

Historic traveling

• Bus around. The 240 bus route has been running since 1934 and has not changed at all in that time. It offers a ride through North West London's suburbs in just 45 minutes. Perfect for a leisurely afternoon adventure.

Entertaining

• Tiny but mighty. Well Walk Theatre scooped Building of the Year at The Stage Awards. The 50-seat puppet haven in Hampstead celebrated its win at the Royal Opera House. It has been recognised for its standout design and intimate performance space since opening last September.

Developing

• Splash into the future. Finchley's Great North Leisure Park could soon have a massive transformation. Proposed plans aim to replace the outdated leisure spots with 1,500 new homes, a state-of-the-art leisure centre, and a lido with views over Glebelands.

Rebuilding

• History buffs rejoice. Balls Pond Road Cemetery is getting a facelift. Thanks to a £190,731 boost from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this Grade II-listed site will improve access, restore memorials, and offer school programmes.

Finchleyite: Ye Olde Swiss Cottage

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After nearly 200 years, Ye Olde Swiss Cottage, one of North London’s most iconic pubs, has closed its doors.

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Named after the area it helped define, the Swiss chalet-style pub on Finchley Road has been a local landmark since around 1840. Over the years, it has served countless Londoners, offering a unique alpine aesthetic in the heart of the city.

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The pub even gave its name to the nearby Swiss Cottage Tube station, cementing its place in local history.

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The reason for the closure remains unclear, but its sudden shutdown has left regulars and locals disappointed. Many have taken to social media to share memories of the much-loved spot. Whether this is a permanent farewell or just another chapter in its long history remains to be seen. There are moves to have it listed as an asset of community value. ​

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For now, Swiss Cottage has lost its Swiss cottage.

Editors' Note - From Tessa

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As a true Scot I enjoyed a Burns supper last month.

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Haggis, bagpipes, poetry, and a spot of ceilidh music.

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What's not to love.

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"Some hae meat and canna eat, and some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankit"

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Also, let us know about local events or local news. We curate our content to keep it a 5-minute read, so can't include everything we're sent.

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You can now get a guaranteed (paid) listing for local events or local lowdown/news items.

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​And email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.

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Tessa Davis Sasha Frieze