War and Renewal on the Askew Road: a walk in Shepherd's Bush

War and Renewal on the Askew Road: a walk in Shepherd's Bush

A walk exploring the impact of two world wars on the area surrounding Askew Road, Shepherd's Bush, and post-1945 reconstruction efforts.

By Iya London - Guided Walks

Date and time

Location

128 Askew Rd

128 Askew Road London W12 9BL United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 2 days before event.

About this event

  • Event lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

In the week observing the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, this walk explores the impact of two world ward on the area round Askew Road, Shepherd's Bush. As well as marking the lives lost and property destroyed by war, the walk celebrates new assets created for the community after 1945.

You'll explore the impact of bombing on the area assisted by bomb damage maps and hear about the impact of the 1944 "Little Blitz" on this area of London.

You'll see the remarkable interior of St. Bobola, a Polish Roman Catholic church set up after World War II. It contains stained glass and other memorials to the Polish armed forces who fought alongside the Allies during World War II, including as pilots in the Battle of Britain.

The walk will end at Greenside School. Built on a bombsite, it is one of only two primary schools in the U.K. designed by the famous modernist architect Erno Goldfinger.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐"I recently attended the ‘War and Renewal on the Askew Road’ walk with Joanna and WOW! did it exceed my expectations!! In every way. I live locally so knew a bit about the destruction caused by the war but was so facinated by the photos and the stories that brought the mini blitz to life. Loved the visit to the church. This walk was so well researched and all the content was so interesting. It’s really encouraged me to dig deeper into my local history." Shannon Rodgers (Google)

Photos 1, 2 and 4 courtesy of Frédérique Cifuentes.

Frequently asked questions

What's the distance of the walk?

The walk's about one mile.

Are public toilets available?

At the start of the walk, there are no public toilets, but there are facilities available in various cafes on Askew Road. At the end of the walk, public toilets are 10 minutes walk away from Greenside School. Facilities in the cafes and the pub on Askew Road are 5-10 minutes walk away.

Is the walk suitable for children?

The walk is suitable for secondary school children. All children are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult if aged under 16.

Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are welcome, but note that they cannot enter St. Bobola Church.

Is the walk accessible for a wheelchair user?

The walk is accessible for a wheelchair user. If you have any other accommodation needs, please contact Iya London through the Eventbrite organiser page.

Do walks go ahead if the weather is bad?

Iya London Walks go ahead, rain or shine. However, in the rare event of the Meteorological Office issuing a red warning covering the location of the walk, we will cancel the walk. You will be offered an option to book an alternative date for the walk.

Is the walk suitable if I'm bringing a child in a pushchair/stroller?

Yes.

Where does the walk end?

The walk ends at Greenside School, Westville Road, London W12 9PT.

Organized by

Iya London - Guided Walks, brought to you by Joanna Oyediran.

Iya London unearths and shares London’s overlooked stories, past and present.

£10 – £13
Sep 7 · 10:45 AM GMT+1