Greenwich

Taking the Docklands Light Railway to Greenwich is an experience in itself. The DLR travels overground through  London's regenerated Docklands, and gives panoramic views of Canary Wharf. The stations have evocative names, like Mudchute, Custom House and Gallions Reach. You can almost smell the tar and hear the boards creak. Plus the trains are driverless, so if you fancy the experience of taking the controls as the trains dive into tunnels and carve their stately progress in and out of cityscapes more reminiscent of Dallas than London, grab the front seats before someone else does.

Our walk starts at Island Gardens (Zone 2). Take the DLR from Bank (Central Line) and when you alight, cross the road and enter the Gardens from where there is a view over the river to the old Royal Naval College. Then cross under the Thames through the Victorian pedestrian tunnel. Scary or what? Not really - there is a lift at both ends (currently the North side lift is closed) and the only peril is avoiding the speeding illegal cyclists.

The steps or lift on the south side emerge into the magnificent view of Cutty Sark. You can visit this clipper, then walk along the river in front of the old Naval College, now home to Greenwich University and the Trinity College of Music.

Turning inland, we enter the park, and climb to the Royal Observatory. Like most of the attractions in Greenwich entrance is free. Don't miss the collection of wooden clocks. These were the first seagoing chronometers accurate enough to solve the problem of calculating longitude. Their invention saved literally thousands of lives.

After seeing all the other buildings in the park, descend to the town centre. Don't miss the Market, which operates on Saturdays but is worth a visit for its shops and quirky signs at other times too. Then there is St Alphege Church and a number of interesting craft, antique, book, and bric a brac shops.

Finally there is the wonderful Goddards pie and mash shop. Order pie with mash and liquor if you dare, and eat on scrubbed board tables with the locals. Wash it down with a bottle of warm beer. Try Bishops Finger.

The walk ends at Cutty Sark DLR (Zone 2).

A great walk. Enjoy it! Take your GPS along if you have one, and check its accuracy as you stand astride the east and west hemispheres.