Walking with Linda: 6 or 8 mile, London Blackfriars to St. Pancras Walk, Mercato 'Church' Lunch & Br

Join Linda for this 6 or 8 mile, London Blackfriars to St. Pancras Walk, Mercato 'Church' Lunch & British Architecture Museum.

Please meet just inside Blackfriars railway station on the north side of the Thames (NOT on the south side of the Thames) at 0950, ready to depart at 1000.  

We will walk alongside the River Thames and through various riverside gardens, St. James's Park, Green Park and Hyde Park to Mercato, Mayfair for lunch (at your own expense).

The Mercato, Mayfair is the repurposed St. Mark's Church which now houses a multitude of takeaway food outlets with dining tables laid out in the main body of the church. We will arrive in time to select a table and explore the magnificent dining area before we each order our lunches from our individually preferred takeaway food and drinks outlets spread over three floors of this unique building and then dine together at a table in the Nave. Or you can opt to dine in the wine bar, sushi bar in the crypt or the roof terrace if there is room.

St Mark's was built in 1825–28 in response to a shortage of churches in the Mayfair area. The building was constructed in the Greek revival style to the designs of John Peter Gandy. Gandy produced most of his work in Neo-classical designs, with St Mark's being one of the finest examples.

In 1878 architect Arthur Bloomfield made substantial changes to the church interior, introducing a Romanesque open roof structure, wall decoration and architectural detail. The 34 feet (10 m) façade, together with the elegant porch, is known as one of the finest in London.

The church was listed Grade I in 1958. It was deconsecrated in 1974 and remained empty for many years until being developed for its current purpose in 2014.

After nearly two hours to admire the building and have lunch, we'll walk to Regent's Park and then onto the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) building to explore their exhibitions of masterful architectural designs of iconic and potential future buildings. We are just in time to view their exhibitions, architectural plans, models and photos of magnificent buildings before the whole RIBA building itself is closed for a major three year redevelopment project.

If a 6 mile walk, lunch and the RIBA museum is enough for you, you can go home from Regent's Park tube station.

Otherwise, from the RIBA building, we will make our way via back streets to St. Pancras railway station where we can opt to have a cup of tea stop before catching our trains home or just go straight home if you wish.

Please bring drinking water, money to buy lunch and any other drinks and snacks you may want. 

Please dress for the weather on the day (and bring a golfing umbrella if it is expected to rain!).

Please check your transport times, and for any engineering works, at least the day before the walk and allow some contingency time for delays.  

The walk needs to depart on time for the comfort and enjoyment of those who have arrived on time. Thank you.