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Alastair Hilton

@London_W4 • 88,945 subscribers

I’m a photographer in London, living on a narrowboat. If you haven’t bought my book The Greatest Pubs, your life isn’t complete. Click the link to buy.

Shorts

Found my daughter and her boat and we’ve pulled her in to the bank and secured her boat. You don’t get that living in a house: waking up to find your home isn’t where it was when you went to sleep. The speed of the river is incredible. Just trying to pull the boat in, took all mine and a very kind stranger who was there, strength. Watching the river and loads of fish jumping out. I’ve realised the poor things are dying as they can’t breathe in all the mud and silt that’s in the water. Anyway, an exciting morning which I didn’t want. Things could have been much worse as you’ll see from my video of another narrowboat that’s underwater. Daughter is safe though, thank goodness, so now it’s time for a full English breakfast.

Found my daughter and her boat and we’ve pulled her in to the bank and secured her boat. You don’t get that living in a house: waking up to find your home isn’t where it was when you went to sleep. The speed of the river is incredible. Just trying to pull the boat in, took all mine and a very kind stranger who was there, strength. Watching the river and loads of fish jumping out. I’ve realised the poor things are dying as they can’t breathe in all the mud and silt that’s in the water. Anyway, an exciting morning which I didn’t want. Things could have been much worse as you’ll see from my video of another narrowboat that’s underwater. Daughter is safe though, thank goodness, so now it’s time for a full English breakfast.

523,179 Aufrufe

Walking home and as I passed this place, I noticed a warm glow emanating from it, so I thought I’d go in and investigate. Turns out that it’s a pub.

Walking home and as I passed this place, I noticed a warm glow emanating from it, so I thought I’d go in and investigate. Turns out that it’s a pub.

3,591,235 Aufrufe

Spent a perfect Sunday afternoon with my four month old granddaughter in a pub garden in London. I’m very pleased to say that I’ve taught her to say her first word: sausages.

Spent a perfect Sunday afternoon with my four month old granddaughter in a pub garden in London. I’m very pleased to say that I’ve taught her to say her first word: sausages.

56,557 Aufrufe

And now I’m here at another English pub. The Fish Inn in Ringwood. Set on the banks of The River Avon at the end of a beautiful little country lane where you come over that gorgeous little bridge at the beginning of my video. Also at the end of the beautiful country lane however, is the A31 dual carriageway, with a million cars whizzing by. Still, I shall sit by the river with my wine and pretend that isn’t there. Cheers 🥂

And now I’m here at another English pub. The Fish Inn in Ringwood. Set on the banks of The River Avon at the end of a beautiful little country lane where you come over that gorgeous little bridge at the beginning of my video. Also at the end of the beautiful country lane however, is the A31 dual carriageway, with a million cars whizzing by. Still, I shall sit by the river with my wine and pretend that isn’t there. Cheers 🥂

30,951 Aufrufe

On my way home. Coming out of Mile End tube station in London this afternoon, I was going to do one of my little videos of the area, but I’ve decided not to now.

On my way home. Coming out of Mile End tube station in London this afternoon, I was going to do one of my little videos of the area, but I’ve decided not to now.

662,272 Aufrufe

And now I’m here at this lovely rooftop bar in central London. It’s a gorgeous, hot, sunny day, with a balcony that overlooks all of the London landmarks, so have a guess why nobody is sat outside? That’s right; you’re not allowed drinks outside anymore. They had an incident on Saturday and since then have banned drinks outside. This is everything that’s wrong with this country. A few people do something stupid and instead of dealing with them, everyone has their fun stopped. Bloody depressing.

And now I’m here at this lovely rooftop bar in central London. It’s a gorgeous, hot, sunny day, with a balcony that overlooks all of the London landmarks, so have a guess why nobody is sat outside? That’s right; you’re not allowed drinks outside anymore. They had an incident on Saturday and since then have banned drinks outside. This is everything that’s wrong with this country. A few people do something stupid and instead of dealing with them, everyone has their fun stopped. Bloody depressing.

361,651 Aufrufe

Here we go again. These Islamic flags have just gone up all the way down Mile End Road in London. The Islamic takeover of London is complete. Why don’t I like that? Because I wanted to live in England, not a third world shithole.

Here we go again. These Islamic flags have just gone up all the way down Mile End Road in London. The Islamic takeover of London is complete. Why don’t I like that? Because I wanted to live in England, not a third world shithole.

470,098 Aufrufe

The correct way to spend a Friday. At a bar by the river in London with my eldest daughter and granddaughter

The correct way to spend a Friday. At a bar by the river in London with my eldest daughter and granddaughter

48,156 Aufrufe

Sitting on my deck watching the ripples. I’ve no idea what’s on tv right now, but I’ll guarantee this is better.

Sitting on my deck watching the ripples. I’ve no idea what’s on tv right now, but I’ll guarantee this is better.

17,457 Aufrufe

And now ladies and gentlemen; The Beatles! Me today, running down the alleyway and out into the sunlight of Stand on the Green in Chiswick and turning to face The City Barge pub on the river. In 1965, the Beatles when filming Help! ran down this very alleyway and into this pub. It is almost exactly the same today as it was then. They were accompanied by bagpipers however, which I didn’t have to hand today. Anyway, I thought you might enjoy seeing it.

And now ladies and gentlemen; The Beatles! Me today, running down the alleyway and out into the sunlight of Stand on the Green in Chiswick and turning to face The City Barge pub on the river. In 1965, the Beatles when filming Help! ran down this very alleyway and into this pub. It is almost exactly the same today as it was then. They were accompanied by bagpipers however, which I didn’t have to hand today. Anyway, I thought you might enjoy seeing it.

30,452 Aufrufe

This is an independent coffee shop this morning in Camden Passage, Islington. A perfect location, beautifully done inside, friendly service from the actual owner and yet there’s only me and one other person here. The big chains like Starbucks etc are rammed with people. So next time you moan there are only awful chain coffee shops everywhere, giving terrible service from staff who don’t care and no independents, look at yourself and where you spend your money.

This is an independent coffee shop this morning in Camden Passage, Islington. A perfect location, beautifully done inside, friendly service from the actual owner and yet there’s only me and one other person here. The big chains like Starbucks etc are rammed with people. So next time you moan there are only awful chain coffee shops everywhere, giving terrible service from staff who don’t care and no independents, look at yourself and where you spend your money.

479,228 Aufrufe

Just walked out of Earl’s Court tube station in London, to be met by this enormous mural to showcase local artists. What do you notice about almost every face on here? Which group do you notice is not represented?

Just walked out of Earl’s Court tube station in London, to be met by this enormous mural to showcase local artists. What do you notice about almost every face on here? Which group do you notice is not represented?

263,110 Aufrufe

Sunday morning in England. I love this view right now, as I stand here with the wind buffeting me and the black clouds gathering, but on the horizon there are blue skies across this green and pleasant land.

Sunday morning in England. I love this view right now, as I stand here with the wind buffeting me and the black clouds gathering, but on the horizon there are blue skies across this green and pleasant land.

12,367 Aufrufe

Heading home now and in Whitechapel and the fucking Muslim call to prayer is blasting out. Ffs.

Sensitive content

Heading home now and in Whitechapel and the fucking Muslim call to prayer is blasting out. Ffs.

178,997 Aufrufe

On my way to ikea and I’ve accidentally come to a gorgeous rooftop bar overlooking Regent Street instead. Haven’t been here for a few years. Used to be a tiny standing only rooftop, but they’ve expanded it nicely. A perfect place to sit with a wine in the sunshine. IKEA can wait.

On my way to ikea and I’ve accidentally come to a gorgeous rooftop bar overlooking Regent Street instead. Haven’t been here for a few years. Used to be a tiny standing only rooftop, but they’ve expanded it nicely. A perfect place to sit with a wine in the sunshine. IKEA can wait.

129,390 Aufrufe

On the tube heading home now. Turnham Green in Chiswick to Whitechapel. For those who don’t know London, it’s like going from a very lovely place, to Kabul in Afghanistan. And for those of you who haven’t been to Kabul, it’s shit. I wouldn’t recommend it. Anyway, does anyone else play the game while sat on the tube where you have to visualise what the outside of the station at each stop looks like? I always do. Maybe it’s just me.

On the tube heading home now. Turnham Green in Chiswick to Whitechapel. For those who don’t know London, it’s like going from a very lovely place, to Kabul in Afghanistan. And for those of you who haven’t been to Kabul, it’s shit. I wouldn’t recommend it. Anyway, does anyone else play the game while sat on the tube where you have to visualise what the outside of the station at each stop looks like? I always do. Maybe it’s just me.

155,785 Aufrufe

The correct way to cruise down the River Thames. Sunday sunshine at Strand on the Green, Chiswick, London.

The correct way to cruise down the River Thames. Sunday sunshine at Strand on the Green, Chiswick, London.

17,814 Aufrufe

Blimey! This was a challenge to find. The Brewery Tap pub in Brentford right now. It’s even in my book of Greatest pubs, but when I just came to find it I got totally confused and had to get Google maps out! The street is completely changed since I was here. None of these buildings existed when I last came. Just mentioned to the landlady and she said yes, they’re thinking of having a box of medals on the bar to anyone who manages to find the pub. I’m celebrating finding it with a glass of wine. Cheers 🥂

Blimey! This was a challenge to find. The Brewery Tap pub in Brentford right now. It’s even in my book of Greatest pubs, but when I just came to find it I got totally confused and had to get Google maps out! The street is completely changed since I was here. None of these buildings existed when I last came. Just mentioned to the landlady and she said yes, they’re thinking of having a box of medals on the bar to anyone who manages to find the pub. I’m celebrating finding it with a glass of wine. Cheers 🥂

26,689 Aufrufe

Stood on my deck now, looking at the gorgeous crescent moon and Venus and thinking how lovely it is tonight. I’m also thinking how incredible the zoom is on my iPhone.

Stood on my deck now, looking at the gorgeous crescent moon and Venus and thinking how lovely it is tonight. I’m also thinking how incredible the zoom is on my iPhone.

20,169 Aufrufe

And now some proper British cultural history going past. I’m on the 21 bus and unless I’m mistaken, those council tower blocks over on the right, are where Del and Rodney lived in Only Fools and Horses. Nelson Mandela House in Peckham. Lovely jubbly

And now some proper British cultural history going past. I’m on the 21 bus and unless I’m mistaken, those council tower blocks over on the right, are where Del and Rodney lived in Only Fools and Horses. Nelson Mandela House in Peckham. Lovely jubbly

159,716 Aufrufe

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I am having a drink this evening with a friend in a Chiswick pub. Two policemen have just come into the pub and asked me to step outside. I have stepped outside and they have threatened me because I tweeted about a councillor banning seating outside pubs in Chiswick. They admit on video (watch it!) that I did not break the law at all. They came to threaten me. To warn me off tweeting about councillors and the council. This is modern Britain. This is the police state. Please, please, please watch this video. It does involve me using very bad language, but this has got to be seen. Police coming out to threaten someone who hasn’t committed a crime. I’m fuming.

I am having a drink this evening with a friend in a Chiswick pub. Two policemen have just come into the pub and asked me to step outside. I have stepped outside and they have threatened me because I tweeted about a councillor banning seating outside pubs in Chiswick. They admit on video (watch it!) that I did not break the law at all. They came to threaten me. To warn me off tweeting about councillors and the council. This is modern Britain. This is the police state. Please, please, please watch this video. It does involve me using very bad language, but this has got to be seen. Police coming out to threaten someone who hasn’t committed a crime. I’m fuming.

Alastair Hilton

5,820,063 Aufrufe • vor 1 Tag

Good morning boys and girls. Friday morning, the sun is shining and I haven’t been arrested for not breaking the law. Thank you so much for all the support regarding my video of the police yesterday. Really appreciated. I’m off to get a coffee. I’ve put on clean boxer shorts today though, just in case I get arrested. Better safe than sorry. Cheers 🍻

Good morning boys and girls. Friday morning, the sun is shining and I haven’t been arrested for not breaking the law. Thank you so much for all the support regarding my video of the police yesterday. Really appreciated. I’m off to get a coffee. I’ve put on clean boxer shorts today though, just in case I get arrested. Better safe than sorry. Cheers 🍻

Alastair Hilton

222,741 Aufrufe • vor 20 Stunden

And now I’m here and I’m very angry. I mean fuming. Strand on the Green in Chiswick and the councillor Rick Rowe of Hounslow council has said that the pubs here; the Bell and Crown, The City Barge and The Bulls Head, aren’t allowed outside seating anymore. They’ve had that seating forever and people love to relax outside in the sunshine by the river, but now, the council has said that must stop. Hounslow council govern Chiswick. Hounslow is an absolute third world shithole. All the taxes from Chiswick pay for Hounslow to survive and these idiots want to make it even harder for businesses to survive. I have no say in these pubs and they certainly haven’t asked me to post, in case someone thinks that. I’m posting because I know how hard it is to run a business. I know how hard pubs work to survive and I know how terrible councillors are. Disgusting

And now I’m here and I’m very angry. I mean fuming. Strand on the Green in Chiswick and the councillor Rick Rowe of Hounslow council has said that the pubs here; the Bell and Crown, The City Barge and The Bulls Head, aren’t allowed outside seating anymore. They’ve had that seating forever and people love to relax outside in the sunshine by the river, but now, the council has said that must stop. Hounslow council govern Chiswick. Hounslow is an absolute third world shithole. All the taxes from Chiswick pay for Hounslow to survive and these idiots want to make it even harder for businesses to survive. I have no say in these pubs and they certainly haven’t asked me to post, in case someone thinks that. I’m posting because I know how hard it is to run a business. I know how hard pubs work to survive and I know how terrible councillors are. Disgusting

Alastair Hilton

530,271 Aufrufe • vor 2 Tagen

I’m on a train right now heading to central London and almost everyone on here is white. I’ve noticed that every time I’m on a commuter train at crack of dawn in the morning, there are almost only white people commuting to work. Every time I walk across London Bridge in the morning rush hour, almost everyone is white. The rest of the day, white people are a tiny minority in London. I can’t imagine why that would be.

I’m on a train right now heading to central London and almost everyone on here is white. I’ve noticed that every time I’m on a commuter train at crack of dawn in the morning, there are almost only white people commuting to work. Every time I walk across London Bridge in the morning rush hour, almost everyone is white. The rest of the day, white people are a tiny minority in London. I can’t imagine why that would be.

Alastair Hilton

1,831,573 Aufrufe • vor 7 Tagen

Watch this! I’m sat outside the Bell and Crown at Strand on the Green in Chiswick right now watching a dolphin! Yes, seriously! A dolphin in the Thames in Chiswick while I sip my wine. Life cannot get any better. Incredibly, this is the second time I’ve stood here and watched a dolphin.

Watch this! I’m sat outside the Bell and Crown at Strand on the Green in Chiswick right now watching a dolphin! Yes, seriously! A dolphin in the Thames in Chiswick while I sip my wine. Life cannot get any better. Incredibly, this is the second time I’ve stood here and watched a dolphin.

Alastair Hilton

130,867 Aufrufe • vor 2 Tagen

And now I’m here. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. I’ve come to a proper village fete in Frogham in the New Forest. I’ve paid 50 pence for raffle tickets at the bottle tombola (I won a bottle of Diet Coke and not the alcohol I’d hope for), I totally failed to knock a single coconut off at the shy, but I did win a little packet of sweets by knocking tin cans down with a bean bag at the stall next to it. This is exactly like the village fetes my Mum took me to fifty years or so ago. It hasn’t changed a bit. A totally perfect slice of English life.

And now I’m here. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. I’ve come to a proper village fete in Frogham in the New Forest. I’ve paid 50 pence for raffle tickets at the bottle tombola (I won a bottle of Diet Coke and not the alcohol I’d hope for), I totally failed to knock a single coconut off at the shy, but I did win a little packet of sweets by knocking tin cans down with a bean bag at the stall next to it. This is exactly like the village fetes my Mum took me to fifty years or so ago. It hasn’t changed a bit. A totally perfect slice of English life.

Alastair Hilton

280,428 Aufrufe • vor 6 Tagen

And now I’m here. Midday Saturday at a most pleasant pub in England. People enjoying a drink and outside, families paddling in the river. A scene that has remained unchanged for a hundred years. Perfect. The George in Fordingbridge in case you wondered.

And now I’m here. Midday Saturday at a most pleasant pub in England. People enjoying a drink and outside, families paddling in the river. A scene that has remained unchanged for a hundred years. Perfect. The George in Fordingbridge in case you wondered.

Alastair Hilton

127,534 Aufrufe • vor 6 Tagen

And now I’m here. People ask me why pubs have turnstiles at their entrance. Well here’s your answer: there are a lot of alcoholic horses in the New Forest and if you didn’t put a turnstile up, they’d all be in boozing away. I’ll admit that I felt sorry for them this evening and sneaked them in. So now I’m sat drinking with a load of horses.

And now I’m here. People ask me why pubs have turnstiles at their entrance. Well here’s your answer: there are a lot of alcoholic horses in the New Forest and if you didn’t put a turnstile up, they’d all be in boozing away. I’ll admit that I felt sorry for them this evening and sneaked them in. So now I’m sat drinking with a load of horses.

Alastair Hilton

72,299 Aufrufe • vor 7 Tagen

And now I’m here, wandering around London. Imagine you’ve booked this Travelodge for your holiday in London. I’d love to see the trip advisor reviews of anyone who’s stayed in rooms 3-5 here…

And now I’m here, wandering around London. Imagine you’ve booked this Travelodge for your holiday in London. I’d love to see the trip advisor reviews of anyone who’s stayed in rooms 3-5 here…

Alastair Hilton

1,993,816 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

Sitting in the coffee shop watching the world go by this morning. One minute and fourteen seconds of very little happening. Wait forty years and it’ll be the most fascinating video you’ve ever seen.

Sitting in the coffee shop watching the world go by this morning. One minute and fourteen seconds of very little happening. Wait forty years and it’ll be the most fascinating video you’ve ever seen.

Alastair Hilton

1,526,494 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

How my morning is going. It’s 730 and I’m walking down the canal after an urgent call from my daughter from her boat that has become unpinned from the riverbank and is now goodness knows where with her on it. Be great if life was easy.

How my morning is going. It’s 730 and I’m walking down the canal after an urgent call from my daughter from her boat that has become unpinned from the riverbank and is now goodness knows where with her on it. Be great if life was easy.

Alastair Hilton

77,495 Aufrufe • vor 10 Tagen

Wednesday evening, cycling home, looking at the pretty houses in Islington, when this happened.

Wednesday evening, cycling home, looking at the pretty houses in Islington, when this happened.

Alastair Hilton

1,964,621 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

Join me for four and a half minutes as I wander down the back alleys of Brentford. You’ll see boats, an old warehouse, me eating blackberries straight from the bush, long balconies a river and boats. Also, you’ll hear me completely confuse myself about the railway. I was right initially, as it isn’t a railway anymore and was used many, many years ago to connect to Brentford Dock for boats to offload straight onto the wagons. So sit back, enjoy the walk and the sunshine.

Join me for four and a half minutes as I wander down the back alleys of Brentford. You’ll see boats, an old warehouse, me eating blackberries straight from the bush, long balconies a river and boats. Also, you’ll hear me completely confuse myself about the railway. I was right initially, as it isn’t a railway anymore and was used many, many years ago to connect to Brentford Dock for boats to offload straight onto the wagons. So sit back, enjoy the walk and the sunshine.

Alastair Hilton

21,428 Aufrufe • vor 2 Tagen

Continuing my journey home and this is St Pancras area of London at 1035pm on a Saturday night. What you may notice is there are no people, even up the side roads. Just tumbleweed.

Continuing my journey home and this is St Pancras area of London at 1035pm on a Saturday night. What you may notice is there are no people, even up the side roads. Just tumbleweed.

Alastair Hilton

1,613,641 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

Outside the pub right now, waiting for my grocery delivery to be delivered and the camera car is here. He drives up and down the road, instantly and automatically fining anyone without a permit. I think it’s wrong. So I’m stood in the road being pathetic and childish and delaying him from ruining peoples evening. This country is just plummeting to the bottom and I think we’ve all had enough. Never thought I’d reach this level.

Outside the pub right now, waiting for my grocery delivery to be delivered and the camera car is here. He drives up and down the road, instantly and automatically fining anyone without a permit. I think it’s wrong. So I’m stood in the road being pathetic and childish and delaying him from ruining peoples evening. This country is just plummeting to the bottom and I think we’ve all had enough. Never thought I’d reach this level.

Alastair Hilton

1,554,950 Aufrufe • vor 11 Monaten

Just chatting with my lodgers as I go off for breakfast. Him and his wife appear to live permanently on the roof of my boat now. He was all chatty until I started filming and then he got shy. I love that he nodded in agreement with me at the end of the video.

Just chatting with my lodgers as I go off for breakfast. Him and his wife appear to live permanently on the roof of my boat now. He was all chatty until I started filming and then he got shy. I love that he nodded in agreement with me at the end of the video.

Alastair Hilton

58,652 Aufrufe • vor 12 Tagen

My walk by the canal this evening and I thought you might be interested to see a lock. I realised that some of you might never have seen one and I know everyone is fascinated as to how they work. Locks are a way for boats to go up hill or downhill. Without them, there would be waterfalls and a narrowboat can’t do those. If I were sailing my boat from where I’m walking in this video, I’d need to open the paddles with my windlass to let all of the water out. Once the water was out of the lock, I could open one gate (a narrowboat exactly fits through just one gate) and sail into the lock. I’d then close the gate and walk to the other end of the lock as I do in this video. I’d open the paddles at these gates and the water would now flow into the lock and my boat would rise up as the lock filled with water. Once it was full, I’d open a gate and sail out. A very simple system, but very clever. P.S. I have employed a swan to carry my video camera for these videos, as the duck I first employed couldn’t handle the weight of the camera and kept crashing into the water. The swan is better but as you’ll see at the beginning of the video, he’s so big that he crashes straight through the tree branches. There is a lot more training required and he was told off and debriefed after this video was made.

My walk by the canal this evening and I thought you might be interested to see a lock. I realised that some of you might never have seen one and I know everyone is fascinated as to how they work. Locks are a way for boats to go up hill or downhill. Without them, there would be waterfalls and a narrowboat can’t do those. If I were sailing my boat from where I’m walking in this video, I’d need to open the paddles with my windlass to let all of the water out. Once the water was out of the lock, I could open one gate (a narrowboat exactly fits through just one gate) and sail into the lock. I’d then close the gate and walk to the other end of the lock as I do in this video. I’d open the paddles at these gates and the water would now flow into the lock and my boat would rise up as the lock filled with water. Once it was full, I’d open a gate and sail out. A very simple system, but very clever. P.S. I have employed a swan to carry my video camera for these videos, as the duck I first employed couldn’t handle the weight of the camera and kept crashing into the water. The swan is better but as you’ll see at the beginning of the video, he’s so big that he crashes straight through the tree branches. There is a lot more training required and he was told off and debriefed after this video was made.

Alastair Hilton

21,355 Aufrufe • vor 4 Tagen

And now I’m here, walking across Jubilee Bridge. I’ve wiped the sweat from my face and thought I’d share the beauty of London on a Friday morning. Have fun you gorgeous people and stay cool.

And now I’m here, walking across Jubilee Bridge. I’ve wiped the sweat from my face and thought I’d share the beauty of London on a Friday morning. Have fun you gorgeous people and stay cool.

Alastair Hilton

33,201 Aufrufe • vor 7 Tagen

If I’m honest, I never wanted to live in a Muslim country, but here we are. Full veils and Allah. London.

If I’m honest, I never wanted to live in a Muslim country, but here we are. Full veils and Allah. London.

Alastair Hilton

1,649,278 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

On a train heading out of London for a trip to England. Thought I’d show you the architectural dross that is Nine Elms. Possibly the most poorly designed, most devoid of character, devoid of personality area in London. If you can bear to watch to the end, there is a glimpse of an architectural masterpiece amongst it all though.

On a train heading out of London for a trip to England. Thought I’d show you the architectural dross that is Nine Elms. Possibly the most poorly designed, most devoid of character, devoid of personality area in London. If you can bear to watch to the end, there is a glimpse of an architectural masterpiece amongst it all though.

Alastair Hilton

366,638 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten