Walking London's Ancient Black Path (4K)
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- Опубліковано 5 січ 2025
- Walking the ancient Black Path or Porter's Way from Walthamstow to Shoreditch. The Black Path was a drover's route that led from Epping Forest to the markets in the City of London - primarily Smithfield Market. It dates back to at least the middle ages but some local historians believe its origins may stretch back further in time. The path starts at St James Street, Walthamstow then passes down South Access Road to Leyton Marshes after which is crosses the River Lea and passes across South Millfields Clapton, along Powerscroft Road to St John at Hackney and the medieval church tower of St Augustine. We then follow the Black Path along Hackney Grove, Martello Street to London Fields, Broadway Market, Goldsmith's Row, Columbia Road, Virginia Street ending at St Leonard's Church Shoreditch on the junction of Old Street and Ermine Street.
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This is one of those few UA-cam channels where you can hit “like” first, and then watch the video, because the content never disappoints.
Thanks Paul
Just what I was thinking /
So agree🎉
Absolutely
Lol. I used 0:36 to eat at Taro in Soho like 20 years ago.
However saying that it only means 2003, and someone in 2003 saying 'Soho 20 years ago' would mean 1983 and thats worth twice its weight in gold.
i have gotten so miserable. I must take a leaf out of your book John and enjoy what is here. Thank you.
Nice comment and I feel that same
I feel most ppl these days sense they're just spinning their wheels somewhat. As you said I need too also quit focusing on what I don't have and think I need and rather focus on what I do have, and the fact that I have everything I truly need.
Just sat down with a few cans, and UA-cam recommended this to me.
I used to love walking and exploring places, but I'm not as able to now, and spend most of my time at home, sat in front of my PC screen. UA-cam is a good way for me to re-live that fun of checking out places, and your excellent commentary just makes the experience even better! Cheers!!!!!
I am from Canada, and have never stepped foot in England, but this summer i am making the trip. And it is all thanks to your videos. Ive watched them all, and cant wait to explore this wonderful city.
Wtf is that supposed to mean? Silly little man!
@@andrewemery4272 no, that’s Justin Trudeau
I’ve just returned to the UK from visiting my sister in Canada…..what a beautiful country!
I hope you enjoy your trip to my home country as much as I enjoyed my time in yours 😊 safe travels x
@@andrewemery4272 Ignore this pranny!
Just a warning, London walks never end. You set out to go one place, but there are so many interesting side paths, you may never make it! But always amazing fun
Mum, Dad and I moved out of London in 1975, but I spent the first 15 years of my life in Markhouse Ave. Back then I had an Aunt living quite near Columbia Road who we visited often, though we would never have dreamt of walking there, it seemed so far away. I'm not even sure if the bottom of the South Access Road was passable by foot at the time - in my mind it was a muddy dead end, home to a few broken prams and abandoned vehicles. Mum, Dad and my Aunt are all gone now, but after watching this video, the next time I'm in London I'm going to set aside an afternoon to follow the Black Path from our old house to hers.
A fabulous first walk of the year John. I look forward to joining you on many more over the coming months.
At 25:35, and Hackney Town Hall. I have a photo of my parents as newly weds on those steps - they got married in the town hall in 1954.
Goodness! Did she wear a suit? And little hat? Like my mother?
@@casteretpolluxOf course.
I live right beside Millfields and Hackney Marshes, I often walk around Hackney Marshes to Leyton. Its lovely having it on your literal doorstep. Its one of the bonuses of living in Lower Clapton.
I live just across from Portersfield, near the ice rink, all that area I walk around about 3-4 times a week. So great to see it on here.
As a former Londoner who has been living in rural North East India for nearly twenty years, I find your beautifully researched and insightful videos a really good way of reconnecting with old stomping grounds. Keep up the good work!
I used to live in Millfields Rd for years, working as bicycle courier in central London so I cycled this path every morning and evening. I left London and UK in 2014 and never came back. your channel gives me great connection to my past. really appreciate it
Where did you end up ?
The Pumphouse has a wonderful little transport museum inside,that's open to the public on Sundays. One of the gems of Walthamstow that's often overlooked.
Thanks for this, John. My Dad lives on Powerscroft Road, so it was pretty special seeing you walk that way. I remember him telling me once that people used to drive geese up the road, all the way from East Anglia, but I didn't know it was part of such a well defined path. Of course it makes sense when you see the route almost in one continuous straight line.
Hello Joe. Say hello to your dad from me. We know each other through The Sharp End. Richard Bull
@@richardbull4166 Nice one, Richard. I will let him know you said hi.
The art deco building on Urswick Rd was originally built by the London Electricity Board. The main show room was around the corner on Mare St, opposite Hackney Baths
Thanks Martin
Forty years ago when I worked in Hoe Street, what was said about the Black Path it was where traders LOST GOODS to the Black Market and the Black Horse was how the goods were distributed. so fine this vlog tells a fresh version Cheers John
Love that - thanks
Respect for the decision to keep the F Cooke Pie n Mash shop sign that you passed on the section through Broadway Market, certainly got me a little misty-eyed remembering that I often went to that location with my Dad. Scarfing down a plate of steaming hot plate pie n' mash covered in green liquor sauce and a mug of strong tea on a cold day...nectar!
I cycle down a lot of these streets in Shoreditch. I had no idea about its heritage. Fascinating
Great video, as always ;). That white building is in Clapton is The Strand Building, I found this on the interweb. - The Strand Building is a well-known office residential building in the middle of Hackney in London. The building was built as the Hackney Electricity Demonstration Halls and Offices in 1925. It was designed by J.A. Bowden in an ‘Art Deco’ style, before being converted into flats in 1995.
Many thanks- it has that look of the excitement of new technology
Yes, thats the old side entrance that you walk past on Urswick Road, the front is round the corner on Lower Clapton Road. At street level it's covered by newer shops these days but cross the road, look up and you can still see the old front of the building.
Thanks for the info Jennie! I recognised it as a Bowden Decco masterpiece, but didn't know the rest. ⭐👍
Cheers
Great walk John. Thanks. The Royal Oak is the pub used in the TV series ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’ with Nicholas Lyndhurst.
The pub next to the Empire used to be the Samuel Pepys, there was also the Ship close by too joind to Mare St by a quaint tiled alley
I remember them too, didn’t the Samuel Pepys pub have a painting of him hanging outside?
@@ttp436 Yes, indeed
I don't miss Hackney and its environs John but its nice to see now and again. Such an interesting walk through my former life over 40 years ago. 20 years ago I came to live in Japan but I often think of the times I walked with my mother along the River Lea and through Springfield Park. Many thanks. RP
I have similar experience. I lived next to the princess of wales lee bridge road. Walks with my mother around those parts 20 years ago. I know live in Switzerland and both have their benefits and not so great points
That`s nice to know. @@travelthebest2676
Looking forward to this. I hope 2024 is treating you well so far John. Here’s to a great year of walking!
Your videos are a magical way of reconnecting to our ancestral lands.
London is so much more than the tourist sights, but it’s so vast that I wouldn’t know where to start. The last time I came with a friend and we were going to do a canal walk , we got lost because nothing was sign postered very well, my sense of direction wasn’t good, we got soaking wet and ended up getting on a canal boat. It’s put me off the idea of walking and finding the hidden places now. I live in Essex so it’s not a long commute in, but the fares can work out expensive I think. Watching this will bring back interest I hope
I unknowingly walked a bit of The Black Path a couple of weeks ago to take my visiting cousin from Hackney to Brick Lane.
We mentioned it was a lovely walk and conveniently very straight.
Very chuffed to now know it's an ancient walk with all your fantastic historical facts. Thank you very much!
Walking The Ancient Black Path is such a terrific start of he year.
It was -4 F today in NE Indiana, US with windchills of -24 F so I get a bit of chill in the air. Love your videos and learning about London's deep history and all the sights still available. Hope to visit again in 2025.
Shame is postman pat John loves our history our gov for years have sold it darn the river but there'll always be a England
I live in England the Northeast Teesside, and it is −4.
Wonderful walk John, brought back many fond memories, so many parts have changed but other parts almost are identical. Incredible we walk in our ancestors footprints so often. Thank you
What a great start to the year. I’d never heard of the Black Path, but it all makes sense. Just reflecting on how lucky I was to be born and brought up in that part of London.
Thanx John, Born and raised in Hackney always pleases me to get a glimpse of my old stomping ground.
I love this on so many levels and I can't even say what those levels encompass! There's something so primordial, free association about these videos. They're waaay more than the some of their parts. Thank you!!!!
I used to live on Martello Street. I love learning about the “Old London”. Another great video.
What a great way to start the New Year following the Route of the Black Path.The Walks go from strength to strength John and. Hope you had an enjoyable Pint after!!
Many thanks and yes I had a lovely couple of pints of Jaipur
I always enjoy your walks, John, especially those around London, and this one in particular. I have been in Melbourne for many a year now, but a part of me will forever be in Powerscroft Road.
great video! fascinating deiails and (speculations!) I love walking around London and environs ... I am scuppered at this time by long-covid but your ramble was so satisfying! Best regards Keith
I lived at the other end of the Stow Market, Cairo Rd in the 80's early 90s, as I worked at Hawker at Faulbourne Road, one of the older fellas told me about the Black Path and he remembers way back that he was a kid, in the 30's that he did see a drove where geese were walked along that path, I thought he was pulling my leg. The following days at work, he came in with this old photo of two guys with around 400 odd geese the lead guy had a large hat and following were a few kids he said it was taken in Markhouse Road, I'd totally forgotten about it until your vid popped up. Many thanks John, much appreciated ~Trooper
Thanks for sharing that great story
I normally like your marshland walks more but this was really interesting, specially liked the pubs, good to see lots have survived... ATB Chris.
There seems to be an iconic ' Black Path ' on Teeside . Definitely there named Black because it was a cinder path . Lots of cultural events associated with it .
Would be great if the two Black Paths were connected by a long forgotten ' Great Black Path ' .
Hi. Indeed there is! I walked it on a blazing day in August ‘22, nearly 8 miles it leads from Middlesbrough Dock through the failing heart of the steelworks and to Redcar on the coast. It’s an absolutely surreal landscape, entirely man made!
Excellent video, I wish this was around when I lived in Walthamstow a long time ago. Went to Manzes many times, a neighbour and friend, the actor David Kennedy (Hollyoaks apparently and EastEnders) once asked what was in the pies... "meat" was the simple reply 😊
I used to use a fair bit of the Black path as a medical student on the way to Homerton, without knowing that I I was doing so.. but I'm not surprised, the route felt very direct and natural
thanks John - another great video - East London has not been an area that i’ve been familiar with over the years- so i really enjoy these videos - they have encouraged me to be much more adventurous when walking around
Absolutely marvellous. Never heard of The Black Path despite so many familiar spaces (lived in South Tottenham in the 80s) . How on earth are you going to follow this one in 2024? I've gone full on nostalgic!!
Im going to watch the whole thing again immediately. Without tracking on map app this time
@15:30
More on Black Marsh Farm ! Silk dyers and osiers -
m.ua-cam.com/video/bV8etUBqijQ/v-deo.html&pp=ygUMQ2xhaXJlIHdlaXNz
We cycled this at the weekend. Loved it. Smell of bread, lots of markets!
I wanna move to Walthamstow listening to your walk! As a South Londoner it's unlikely.
Lovely stuff. Happy 2024, to you!
Lovely walk, I live in Hackney and do part of this walk every week. The virgin queen pub used to be The Albion pub if I remember correctly, a lovely local pub. Didn’t know st Augustine’s tower was from the 13th century! Wow 😊 thank you for bringing us along
many thanks for watching Valeria and for that info. Hopefully more info on St Augustine's coming soon
Wonderful video! I live by St James St and work in London Fields, so I cycle pretty much your exact route every day. I love the Black Path! A couple of things to add - you walked right by Lamb Lane and parallel to Sheep Lane, and also I always wondered if Mare Street is an agricultural reference?
Highly interesting walk, look forward to the next, where ever that may be 👍
A fine note on which to start the year. An enjoyable and informative walk that brought back many happy memories.
Thanks John, this is basically my cycling route, the pub crawl is an outstanding idea 😂🎉
Jeez , I thought I was just going for a walk but you led me to the Gentle Author and the guided tours and the recommendations which included Labour and Wait shop and , much to my delight, the clothes made by Old Town - I think I say an earlier incarnation of this taylor but I had lost track of him. Beautiful serendipity. Thank you!
Thanks for pointing out the historical sites and locations along the path, it makes the walk interesting and adds context to the path. Great job.
Maybe Mr Porter was descended from one of the original porters who walked the black path and bought the land. lovely interesting walk thanks
Thanks John for a brilliant walk. Here's to many more in 2024!
Lovely video great start to the year (and loved those pubs )keep them coming 😊
Wow, that's a long walk! I lived as a child (1940-1950) Markhouse Road, Leyton. Then Maude Terrace, Walthamstow (1950-59). Knew the market very well. My fathers family grew up in St. Mary's Road, Walthamstow - Both ends of Market Street has a Railway station, Blackhorse Road, which I used to get to work in Liverpool Street and beyond. My Grandmother had the river Lea at the bottom of her garden, but it was more of a tiny stream at that time. I used to play in the Marshes which had a railway line through it. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for this John. I have lived in Sydney NSW for the last 20 years but grew up in Edmonton North London and wonderful to see places I knew and could piece together. Keep them coming! Regards Gareth Shaw
Fascinating as always John, think I will try this path myself when next in the smoke. Great video😊
Expat living in OZ 🇦🇺. Just discovered this site. FANTASTIC, enjoyed every moment. Look forward to following
I needed something to watch while walking on my treadmill today and decided to watch your latest walk. It was so suited for treadmill viewing. I literally felt like I was on a virtual walk through London. Excellent! If I can't walk through the real London, I will use your videos to pretend! Need to build up my stamina so I can one day be a radical rambler like you. Thanks!
Another excellent walk, John.. And full of great historical info. You're doing a grand job at keeping those ancient walkways alive. More power to your deeply topographical elbows and knees.
A fascinating walk. I love the shot of the row of bare trees against the grey, winter sky.
Great walk. Thankyou .I lived in Saratoga road and went to Millfields school 56 years ago. Happy happy days .
Your video a few years ago on Leyton Marshes reminded me of my first cross country run as a child when I attended Church Mead School.
Respected Sir,when you start journey of city london then it seems good but when you do end the journey of yours it makes me unhappy because we know that you really give great information to us...black path's pub is great and I think it looks much beautiful in evening 😊 😊❤ great walk Sir, take care very very congratulations for your new book 😊
Thanks Shipra
Your questing for not only the most likely path but for a hint of the past experience ("I feel I should do a bit of marshland walking") and all your commentary is such fun. My thoughts of the upcoming year here in the US are brightened by your promise of many many more such walks.
Thank you for the video. As a Londoner born and bred now living in Norfolk, you remind me of why I miss London so much. Looking forward to 2024. Cheers.
John, again you have educated me about a route I've used a thousand times, but did not have a clue about the ancient black path. I do always delight in cycling that way to work from Walthamstow, so it must have somehow resonated with me.
never stop John. we love you
ah thanks Tom - plenty more videos on the way
What a cracking way to start 2024, hope you enjoyed your pint at the end.👍
I just love that there are so many folks on push bikes
, that gives away my age, but as always great video, maybe should be “great historical recording”,as stuff changing very quickly!
Wow, makes me think of at least two streets called Czarna Droga (=Black Way) in my native Poland! THank you for another beautiful episode!
I walked this from the other end on Sunday. Only as far as Clapton this time but I will definitely do it all soon. Thank you for the video
Took me back to my childhood the latter part of this video, my parents were married at Shoreditch church and I was christened there, the Broadway was so different back in the 50's, thankyou John for taking me back to happy memories.
Thanks! Great stories and editing 🎉
That’s very kind - many thanks
great video as always John, and please do more 'drovers paths' if you can find them in the archives, and as a bonus they are all great ideas for a pub crawl 🙂
Thank you John, that was very enjoyable seeing some of the places I used to visit when growing up. I always love the bits of history you add along the way too, we are never to old to learn something new. You deserve a drink or two at the pub after walking and talking, much appreciated thank you 💕🇦🇺
Loved the walk. So interesting.
I remember going to Walthamstow market as a kid. It was full with stalls from start to finish and it was a brilliant market. My grandmother used to come from Ireland to buy her Mac Coats in a fashion shop there. They use to roll out the carpet and really provide a first class service. I got my dog from there too, sadly now passed. All in the past now. Great memories. London has changed so much now. My Aunt lived in Cologne Road near Wells Street. Spent so much of my early life in Hackney and East London.
Loved this video - the whole concept of these ancient paths in London is very compelling.
great, thanks... another entertaining video - adds colour to walking around london. always watch with google maps open on my other screen to follow/identify where you are to see if it combines with where i have been - so I know next time.
We have a Black Path up here on the south bank of the Tees, some call it the Sailors Trod. It runs from Middlesbrough to the mouth of the Tees through what would have been marsh land. In the late 1800s the Tees was constrianed and industry (iron and steel) sprang up, which is why I thought it was called the Back Path. Your idea sounds probable too
Brilliant thanks for that info. Be interesting to find out more about other Black Paths
This is a great video of a fascinating walk John. I love the historical anecdotes that punctuate the journey. I know the Hackney end without realising I was traversing it. Always good to get new insights into familiar stomping grounds. Thank you John as ever.
What a fabulous walk. Really loved the interesting buildings along the way, always appreciate you panning up with your camera. Happy new year, looking forward to the next walk.
Another great walk John. I'm from West Kensington & now West Ĺondon. Its amazing how busy the streets were in your video. Can recall the much early videos. Around the covid era. There was hardly anyone in your then videos. Just played my wife your walk of the River Pinn. As we now live in Ruislip.
Dammit John... every time I watch your videos, I get terribly home sick.
And this vid went right across my home... Clapton, where I have not lived since 1984.
Great walk, as always and great insights and historic wealth of knowledge, which more deeply allows a connection to these places and spaces.
A very interesting walk. I enjoy your pacing. Thank you.
I’m kinda obsessed with the original Colombia Market building, it looked amazing and I’m shocked and devastated that it was demolished
The white Art Deco style Building in Urswick Road I think is the side entrance to what was the LEB ( and presumably Hackney council electricity department ) building around the main corner into Lower Clapton/ Hackney. Part now appears to be Springboard Housing Advice , etc. The rounded arch tops are similar to the electricty substations (though they are brick) in Lea Bridge Road
Many thanks
Wonderful start to 2024 John, thanks for another great video. When we tackled it I could not help noticing that, certainly from Powerscroft Road, The Shard was directly ahead for much of the way, it provided a good pointer if we happen to stray off course.
Thank you, Roger. Enjoyed the walk.
Meant to say John 🙏
I worked at that bakery there ("Sunblest") for a short time in the summer of 1983. There was no baking on a Saturday night (so no fresh bread in the shops on Sunday), but production started back up again on a Sunday, ready for sale on Monday. These were the days before Sunday opening, so I would have assumed that this would no longer be the case.
A very lovely walk to start the year! Love to see all the urban areas! Thanks for the wonderful video!
Many thanks Jennifer
Another great walk John and the first of many in 2024, fantastic to watch and hear about the history of London and beyond the rivers and walkways long forgotten by most.
Thank you for sharing, great to see these places of history. Very interesting.
Thank you for taking me down memory lane. I now live in West London but I grew up in Hackney and went to school near the marshes . It
Is amazing that some of the places on the route have not changed such as Mare Street. It was really enjoyable.
Thanks for another cracking trip around London,very informative 😊
Great walk to start the year off
Compelling and intimate commentary John, which warms the views of the Black Path on a cold January day! All respect to your wide overview of the geography, ecology, industry - and always remembering the people whose lives made the history through the ages. When you reached Shoreditch High Street I recalled that when the Lea Bridge Turnpike was built in 1757, as you mentioned, the route for Wraggs stagecoaches started there and ended at Walthamstow. Thanks for the wee mentions, your walks bring the pages of local history text alive!
what amazing bit of history you have given me. i lived in canning town for many years and didnt no anything about this. bless and thank you for sharing your journey
The white art deco building was the Strand Buildiing which was part of the electricity board way back.The building next door was known as "the Welfare" back in 60's.I remember being gassed there prior to having a few teeth pulled circa 1965
I'm absolutely taken by your impression of a telegraph pole at 4.07 minutes.
Well executed and indeed, a fine performance. Bravo!
Just the perfect video to wind down with on a particularly busy and stressful blue Monday in January. Thanks!