This Other London: Adventures in the Overlooked City

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Join John Rogers as he embarks on an adventurous exploration of an uncharted London, akin to a redbrick Indiana Jones seeking the lost meaning of metropolitan life. With two reluctant knees and a can of Stella, he traverses the city’s forgotten corners through the seasons. After settling down to start a family, Rogers traded exotic travels for local discoveries, catching the ferry to Woolwich and exploring the city’s edges at Crayford Marshes. His journey unfolds on foot, revealing the hidden stories beneath the city’s surface. Armed with a samosa and outdated A-Zs, he ventures into isolated luxury apartments in Brentford, the ruins of Lesnes Abbey, and the ancient Lammas Lands in Leyton. Labeled a "hippy wizard" by his sons, he uncovers tales of holy wells in Lewisham, wassailing in Clapton, and a heretical fresco in West Ham. Along the way, he encounters the Highwaymen of Hounslow Heath, veterans in Beckton, and cyclists at Herne Hill Velodrome. From Uxendon Hill to Tulse Hill, he reveals the rich history of the city’s suburbs. This exploration invites you to discover the wonders of London that often go unnoticed, reminding us that adventure begins at home.