Part One - A WALK FOR PEACE - 5 MILES - allow 3 hours Basic route - Tibetan Peace Gardens, Imperial War Museum - Westminster Bridge Road - Florence Nightingale Museum (St. Thomas Hospital) - Archbishop’s Park - Lambeth Bridge - The Thames Path - Vauxhall Bridge - Nine Elms - Battersea Dogs & Cats Home - Battersea Park - Peace Pagoda - Albert Bridge - Chelsea Embankment - Chelsea Physic Garden - Royal Hospital - National Army Museum - Sloane Square. Map - London A to Z Street Guide. O.S. 1:25,000 Explorer Series No. 161 - London South. Start - Elephant Castle Underground Station or bus. End - Sloane square Underground Station or bus. Inns - The Riverside, St. George’s Wharf. Cafe - The Battersea Barge. Gondola Cafe, Battersea Park. ABOUT THE WALK - This is very much a yin and yang walk, for the aim is simply to walk from the Tibetan Peace Gardens, beside the Imperial War Museum, to the Peak Pagoda in Battersea Park. But on the way you see the opposite of peace - war - as you pass the Imperial War Museum, and then onto they very gifted work of Florence Nightingale, who as a result of war transformed the nursing profession. You pass the Archbishop’s Gardens and Lambeth Palace, before following the Thames path to Battersea Park, passing the Dogs and Cats home. After the park you cross the Albert Bridge, and enter Chelsea. Fist to the Chelsea Physic Gardens, then past the National Army Museum and the Royal Hospital, the home of the renowned Chelsea Pensioners; again the result of war. WALKING INSTRUCTIONS - From the Elephant & castle Underground Station, cross the road and keep ahead along the righthand side, following the signs for the Imperial War Museum. In a short distance turn right along St. George’s Road and after 1/4 mile turn left into the Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park. Immediately turn right to walk through the Tibetan Peace Gardens. TIBETAN PEACE GARDENS - Opened by the Dalai Lama in 1999. IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM - The building was built in 1811 and was the Bethlehem Royal Hospital for the Insane (“Bedlam”). The hospital moved in 1930 and the two wings were later demolished leaving the central part, which the museum occupied in 1936. Inside are many tanks, guns and planes from various wars, please exhibitions of life during warfare. Open daily. www.iwm.org.uk Continue to the war museum and huge naval guns, and turn right down to the gates; you can visit the museum before continuing. Turn right then left to continue along St. George’s Road. Keep ahead into Westminster Bridge Road, with the London Eye ahead, and follow it under the railway lines of Waterloo Station. Just after keep left and left again along Lambeth Palace Road. Cross to the right to Guy’s and St. Thomas Hospital, and turn right to the Florence Nightingale Museum. FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM - The story of “The lady with the lamp”, who nursed the soldiers during the Crimea War - 1853-6. She also founded the first school of nursing here. For a more detailed look at her life see my book - “Florence Nightingale” - ISBN 978-1-903627-18-1 Open daily, except Bank Holidays. www.florence-nightingale.co.uk Return to Lambeth Palace Road and turn right. In 100 yards cross to your left and enter the Archbishop’s Park. Keep to the righthand path past the children's play area, before bearing half left on the tarmaced “Lambeth Millennium Walkway”. Plaques in the path -“To celebrate the people, places and events that have made Lambeth special over the last 1,000 years.” Opened in June 2000. Hard to believe this was once marshland. Keep ahead to the gates and onto Lambeth Road, opposite building 109. Turn right and pass St. Mary’s church and 17th. century National Garden Museum - both worth a visit. Just after pass the entrance gate to Lambeth Palace. Cross the road to the right of Lambeth Bridge and reach the embankment, Lambeth Pier and Thames path. ST. MARY’S CHURCH - Inside and outside are many fascinating gravestones - such as the Candle Maker; butcher etc. In the porch is one to a man struck by lightning. The Museum of Gardening, illustrates the history of gardening in Britain. Open daily. www.museumgardenhistory.org LAMBETH PALACE - The london home of the Archbishop of Canterbury. You pass the Tudor gatehouse built in 1485. THAMES PATH - A National Trail - The Thames Path - follows the banks of the river from its source and the whole route is well signed with an acorn. The River Thames, England’s premier river, rises at Thames head in the Cotswold Hills and travels 154 miles (248 km) to London Bridge. From here it is a further 56 miles (90 km.) to the open sea. The river is tidal and ebbs and flows to Teddington Lock, some 20 miles inland from London Bridge. Seawards at Woolwich to control the sea surges and to protect London from flooding during the winter months, the Thames Barrier was built in 1982 and stretches 1/3 mile across the Thames; bank to bank. Turn left and follow the embankment and walk under Lambeth Bridge. Walk beside the River Thames on your right and as you near Vauxhall Bridge, walk around a slipway and then the MI6 offices. Pass under Vauxhall Bridge where a path sign says -Battersea Park 1 1/4 miles/Albert Bridge 2 miles - you will walk nearer 2 1/2 miles! Keep ahead on the Thames path along St. George’s Wharf, before gaining the road opposite the Flower Market. Turn right and in a short distance right again back to Thames, walking along Riverside Walk, then William Henry Walk. Pass a Father Thames sculpture and regain the road - Nine Elms Lane - before turning right. Turn right again to continue along Tideway Walk, beside the Thames and pass “The Battersea Barge”. Soon after walk past moored boats and barges of the Nine Elms Marina. Soon after leave the river and reach a road. Keep ahead and turn right along Kirtling Street to Battersea Park Road; opposite is the New Convent Garden Market. Turn right passing the tall chimneys and the former building of battersea Power Station. Pass the Battersea Dog and Cats Home - shop - and pass under a railway line. Immediately after turn right turn right along the Prince of Wales Road to a roundabout. Keep to the righthand side to reach Rosery Gate and entrance to Battersea Park. BATTERSEA PARK - The second public park in London opened in 1858, with a boating lake, gardens and waterfalls. Originally the area was known as Battersea Fields, a marshy area. www.batterseapark.org Reaching the main drive, turn right along the east Carriage Drive. Soon pass to your left the lake and Gondola Cafe. On your right is a Trim Trail and the Millennium Arena. Keep ahead along the drive past tennis courts to the Thames Path. Turn left and soon reach the Peace Pagoda. PEACE PAGODA - The 100 ft. (35m.) high pagoda was built in 1985 by Japanese Buddhist monks and nuns, with four golden buddha’s at the four main points of the compass. In memory of the Hiroshima Atom Bomb in 1945. Continue beside the Thames on your right and gain Albert Bridge. cross and turn right along Chelsea Embankment. Pass on your left the Royal Hospital Road and soon after is the Chelsea Physic Garden. Cross the road and walk along Swan Walk, which brings you past the entrance to the garden. CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDENS - London’s oldest Botanic garden, founded by the Society of Apothecaries in 1673. The name “physic” refers to the then understanding of the healing properties of plants; their study is still carried on today. The garden of four acres was bought by Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) - his statue is in the gardens - and rented the site to the Apothecaries Society for £5 per annum. Open most days with a garden cafe. www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Continue you to the Royal Hospital Road. Pass the National Army Museum on the right and then the Royal Hospital, the home of the Chelsea Pensioners. NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM - The story of British troops from 1485 to the present day. Shop. Open every day except Bank Holidays and Christmas. www.national-army-museum.ac.uk THE ROYAL HOSPITAL - Designed by Christopher Wren in 1682, for Charles 11, as a home for old or wounded soldiers; today known as the Chelsea Pensioners. Their scarlet coats,tricorne hats and medals are a distinctive mark at many of London’s parades and ceremonies. 330 retired soldiers live here today. The building has a magnificent chapel and large dining room; both used today. Open most days. www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk Continue along the road with a cricket field on your left. At the main cross roads, turn left along Lower Street Street to reach Sloane Square - underground station and bus stops. SLOANE SQUARE - Rectangular shaped with a venus fountain in the middle. © The John Merrill Foundation 2008 PART TWO - SLOANE SQUARE TO BUDDHAPADIPA TEMPLE (WIMBLEDON) - 5 MILES - allow 2 1/2 hours. Basic route - Sloane Square Underground Station - Royal Hospital Road - Albert Bridge - Thames Path - Wandsworth - Wandle Trail - King George’s Park - Capital Ring - Wimbledon Underground Station - Wimbledon park Lake - St. Mary’s Church - Buddhapadipa Temple - Wimbledon. Map - O.S. 1:25,000 Explorer Series No. 161 - London South. Start - Sloane Square Underground Station. End - Wimbledon Rail Station or bus. Inns - Gazette, Plantation Wharf. The Spotted Dog, Wandsworth. The Woodman, Wimbledon Park. Cafe - McDonald's, beside the A3205 roundabout, near Wandsworth Bridge. Garratt Street, Wandsworth. Several in Wimbledon Park shopping area. ABOUT THE WALK - This walk can be done in its own right, following the Buddhist theme, or as an extension to the Walk for Peace, making a walk of some 10 miles - you will simply continue on the Thames Path from the Albert Bridge. From Sloane Square you pass the Royal Hospital and the renowned Chelsea Pensioners. Followed by the National Army Museum and then the Chelsea Physic Gardens. After crossing Albert Bridge you join the Thames Path; to your left is the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park. Following the Thames Path you pass Battersea Bridge before the Georgian, St. Mary’s Church. You continue by the river for awhile before walking inland around the London Battersea Heliport. Soon after you return to the river, briefly, before leaving it to walk through central Wandsworth, passing its museum. Soon after you reach King George’s Park, and follow a section of the Wandle Trail. Exiting the park you soon gain a brief section of the Capital Ring to Wimbledon Park. Here you leave the Ring to pass the park and reach Calonne Road and the Buddhapadipa Temple. A short walk from here brings you to the main road opposite Wimbledon Common and buses to Wimbledon and its rail station. WALKING INSTRUCTIONS - Leaving Sloane Square Underground Station, turn right and soon left along Chelsea Bridge Street. At the next road junction turn right along Royal Hospital Road, passing on your left the Royal Hospital, National Army Museum and the Chelsea Physic Garden. Just after the road turns left to Chelsea Embankment. Turn right to the Albert Bridge and cross. At the end turn right and gain the Thames Path - here the “Walk for Peace” joins the walk, omitting crossing the bridge etc., Keep the river on your right as you pass a lock on your left, and continue to Battersea Bridge (1890). Pass under and continue by the river to St. Mary’s church. Cross a small road and keep along the embankment to Albion Quay. Soon after bear left to the road - Lombard Road. Pass under the railway line and shortly afterwards, turn right back to the embankment. Follow it for short distance before turning left back to the road near Falcon Wharf. Turn right along Lombard Road, passing on the right the London, Battersea Heliport. At the junction with the main road, A3205, turn right along York Road. 100 yards later turn right into York Place and ahead along Cotton Row back to the Thames, briefly. Pass Plantation Wharf and turn left past the buildings and Gazette - cafe & inn. Just after turn right and left along Mendip Road. Pass battersea Reach on your right and reach the main roundabout of the A3205, with the road to Wandsworth Bridge, on your right. Cross the road and just before McDonald's, turn right along Marl Road. Pass the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, on the left. Follow the road left - now Smugglers Way - and pass a public refuse depot on the right. At the end of the road turn left, still along Smugglers Way and pass Marble City. Pass under a railway line and reach the main road. Turn right and soon after right again along Armoury Way. In a short distance bear left along Ram Street; immediately passing a plaque to the Surrey Iron Railway. Continue into central Wandsworth. Pass Ram Brewery (Youngers) on the right. At the cross roads here, go straight across along Garratt Street - signed for Tooting, with a shopping centre on the right. On the left pass Wandsworth Museum, and on the right is The Spotted Dog Inn. Just after turn right along Appleton Road, cycle path signed - Wimbledon 2 1/2 miles. In 100 yards turn left into King George’s Park and follow the Wandle Trail. Keep to the lefthand side of the park and River Wandle. At the junction of another tarmaced path keep left to continue along the lefthand side of the park to a road. Here on the left is a plaque to the lollipop stick racers. Cross the road and continue on the tarmaced path to Fosters Way. Keep ahead on this still on the lefthand side of the park. Soon after bear right across the park, still on Fosters Way, to its righthand side. Continue to the park's southern entrance. Continue straight ahead, now along Acuba Road. Go straight across a minor road and turn right along Mount Road, here picking up The Capital Ring Path. Turn left along Lucian Way to a gate and Durnsford Recreation Ground. Follow the Capital Ring signs right past a school on the right to Wellington Road. Turn left along it and at the end bear right onto a path to the main A218 road. Turn left and at the Woodman Inn, turn right along Arthur Road past shops to Wimbledon Park underground station. Just after turn right along Home Park Road. At the entrance to Wimbledon park, you leave the Capital Ring, and keep ahead along the road, with the park and golf course on your right. At the end of the road rejoin Arthur Road and turn right, passing St. Mary’s church on the right, and at the road junction, a lodge with a deer on top, on the right. Keep right along St. Mary’s Road. Just after at a cross roads, keep ahead along Burghley Road. Pass Marryat Road on the left and keep ahead on the road following it left and now Calonne Road. On the left at n0. 14 reach the entrance to the Buddhapadipa Temple. After your visit, continue along Calonne Road to the main A219 road opposite Wimbledon Common. To your left is the bus stop for busses to Wimbledon and rail station. To the right busses go to Putney. ALBERT BRIDGE - built in 1873; many proclaim it as the finest across the Thames, when lit up at night. ST. MARY’S CHURCH, BATTERSEA - A church has existed here since the 10th. century. Today’s Georgian building was built in 1775; the stained glass is from the previous building. The Buddhapadipa Temple - A four acre site with a large Buddhist Theravada Temple in Thai style. They are only outside Asia, this being one of the largest of them. The main shrine hall was opened in October 1982. The roof structure is three tiered style, known as the bird-winged shape. The interior walls are covered with paintings showing the life of Buddha, and took six months to complete. www.buddhapadipa.org © The John Merrill Foundation 2008.

Map Two

The Tibetan Peace Gardens.

Battersea Peace Pagoda

The Thai Buddhapadipa Temple, Wimbledon.