Lea Valley Walk
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lea Valley Walk | |
|---|---|
 The trail goes through Wardown Park |
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| Length | 50 miles (80 km) |
| Location | South East England |
| Trailheads | Leagrave Limehouse Basin |
| Use | Hiking,Cycling,Angling, Boating |
| Season | All year |
The Lea Valley Walk is a 50 miles (80 km) long distance path located between Leagrave the source of the River Lea near Luton to the Thames, at Limehouse Basin, Limehouse, East London. From its source much of the walk is rural. At Hertford the path follows the towpath of the River Lee Navigation and becomes increasingly urbanised as it approaches London. The walk was opened in 1993 and is waymarked throughout using the swan logo waymarker.
Contents |
[edit] Route
[edit] Stage 1 Leagrave - Hatfield
The walk can be accessed close to Leagrave railway station at Leagrave common where there are a number of springs and ponds from which the Lea forms. The first part of the walk is through the suburbs of Luton where it shares it route with Icknield Way. After passing through Wardown Park the path joins the A6 road and through the town centre passing St.Mary's church as it heads close to the runways of Luton Airport. The A505 road is crossed as the trail makes its way through open countryside towards Harpenden.
The path descends into the Lea Valley, passes under the railway lines before crossing the B653 road. The route now follows the track of an disused railway the former Luton,Dunstable and Welwyn junction line.After Harpenden the path leaves the railway track and heads uphill into Wheathampstead through the village past the church and crosses over to the other bank of the river. The path now follows the river towards Water End Lane and the grounds of Brocket Hall where it crosses the middle of a golf course on its way towards Lemsford. The path goes under the A1 road to Stanborough Park.
[edit] Stage 2 Hatfield- Broxbourne
The path runs alongside the A414 road in the grounds of Home Park Hatfield till cutting through a small woodland to the Cecil Saw Mill. A short stretch of road leads to a bridleway and then the river. The path crosses the river at Holwell Bridge the trail continues through woodland opposite Holwell Court and joins the Cole Green Way the route of the former Welwyn to Hatfield railway line to the outskirts of Hertford. This part of the walk is shared with the Hertfordshire Chain Walk. The path continues to Hertford town centre passing Hertford Town F.C and Hertford Castle before following Maidenhead Street and Bull Plain to rejoin the River Lea.
At this point the Lea becomes the canalised River Lee Navigation. For the remainder of its length, the walk follows the towpath all the way to the Thames. At the edge of the town the first lock is passed Hertford Lock. The rivers Beane and Rib enter the Lea on the opposite bank. The walk passes through the town of Ware which is the start of Lee Valley Park. Passing Ware Lock, Victorian gazebos can be seen in some of the far bank riverside gardens.The path goes under the A1170 road opposite the Saracen's Head public house and then passing Hardmead Lock. On the far bank is Amwell Quarry anSSSI.
Stanstead Lock is next before continuing under the A414 road towards Rye House. Attractions nearby include Rye House Stadium and the gatehouse of Rye House.Close to the confluence of the River Stort and Lea is Feildes Weir. Passing Feildes Weir lock, the Rye House Power Station dominates the skyline. Crossing the river opposite the Fish and Eels public house which is above Dobbs Weir and then over the Hoddesdon to Nazeing road close to the Lee Valley Camping site where a stretch of the Old River Lea can be seen. With the canal to the right the path passes Dobbs Weir lock and then onto Carthagena Lock behind the lock is Carthagena Weir. Below the lock the tail end of the weir pool joins the main river. The path carries on under the Broxbourne to Nazeing roadbridge, close to Broxbourne railway station.
[edit] Stage 3 Broxbourne - Lea Bridge Road
The Crown public house is located adjacent to towpath. Attractions in this area include a swimming pool.boat centre and Broxbourne Mill. The river is crossed to the west bank by bridge. On the opposite bank there are a number of riverside houses.Over a small bridge under which flows the Broxbourne Mill stream. Above Aqueduct Lock a channel from the river feeds into Kings Weir and a stretch of the Old River Lea can be found. On both sides of the river mature flooded gravel workings can be seen, a legacy of this areas large sand and gravel industry. Continuing past Cheshunt Lock. Close to Cheshunt railway station is the Lee Valley Youth Hostel. A glimpse of the Small River Lea can be seen which flows nearby under Windmill Lane.Past Waltham Common Lock and then Waltham Town Lock which is close to the town of Waltham Abbey.
On the A121 road bridge stands the Old English Gentlemen public house ( closed May 2008 ). Close by are the Royal Gunpowder Mills which are open to the public. The path goes under the M25 motorway to Rammey Marsh Lock. The river splits on the far bank and a section of the Old River Lea flows through the former Royal Small Arms Factory now a housing development known as Enfield Island Village. The Victorian Terraced houses on the east bank are former Small Arms factory workers' houses known as Government Row. Above Enfield Lock a new bridge leads to the housing estate. Passing the Greyhound public house and the lock. Adjacent to the Rifles public house ( closed May 2008 ) is the Old River Lea and section 13 of the London Loop a Long distance path can be joined. Crossing the bridge over the Swan and Pike pool a former barge turning basin.
The grassed embankment of the King George V Reservoir is directly in front and is the first in the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain. Turkey Brook joins the Lee on the opposite bank. The far bank now comprises mainly industrial units. At Brimsdown Mossops Bridge connects to Mossops Creek and the Brimsdown Industrial Estate area. The double lock gates at Ponder's End Lock come into view,close by to Ponders End railway station is the historic Wright's Flour Mill. Past the lock and under a road bridge to the east is the start of the William Girling Reservoir. The west bank opens up with views of the golf course part of the Lee Valley Leisure Complex.
At Pickett's Lock the Pymmes Brook Trail can be joined.From the lock the 100 metre chimney of the Edmonton Incinerator dominates the skyline,and on the horizon the towers of Canary Wharf and the Swiss Re can be clearly seen.Following the towpath under the North Circular Road past the site of the Cooks Ferry Inn public house (well known music venue-demolished late 20th century for road widening). Both sides of the river are industrialised. The river opens up with views of Banbury Reservoir to the East and Tottenham Marshes. Under a small footbridge known locally as Chalk Bridge. Walking towards Stonebridge Lock with Lockwood Reservoir to the East.
Crossing the river here it is less than 1 mile to Tottenham Locks. Pymmes Brook joins the Lee here. To the East are the High Maynard and Low Maynard reservoirs. Passing under Ferry Lane A503 road bridge.Close by is the Ferry Boat Inn public house and Tottenham Hale station. The path passes under the Victoria Line the Silverlink Gospel Oak to Barking line and Lea Valley Lines railway bridges as the towpath skirts the West Warwick Reservoir further to the east are the East Warwick Reservoir and the Walthamstow Reservoirs. The Coppermill Stream joins the Lea close to the Lee Valley Marina.Passing by Springfield Park the path crosses the river at Horseshoe Bridge. Passing under the Lea Valley Lines rail bridge. Walthamstow Marshes and Leyton Marshes are passed as the path heads towards Lea Bridge Road.
[edit] Stage 4 Lea Bridge Road - Limehouse Basin
Amenities in Lea Bridge Road area include the Lee Valley Ice Centre, riding stables and two nature reserves; the Middlesex Filter Beds and the Waterworks Nature Reserve. The river splits here. Still following the towpath. The walk crosses a small footbridge to the east bank adjacent to Hackney Marshes. Passing under A106 road Eastway and then the East Cross Route. The path passes nearby Hackney Wick Stadium. The walk passes under the North London Line railway and Rothbury Road. The Hertford Union Canal joins the river on the west bank before crossing Victoria Park.
Heading towards Old Ford Lock the path links to the Capital Ring walk and then passing under The Greenway and the Docklands Light Railway close to Pudding Mill Lane station. Crossing to the opposite bank at Bow Road and crossing the river at Three Mills Bridge close to Three Mills. The walk continues under the District Line and Hammersmith and City line close to Bromley-by-Bow. The river forks at Bow Locks with the Lee Navigation joining the tidal section of the river known as the Bow Back Rivers through Bow Creek to its confluence with the Thames. The path now follows the Limehouse Cut to Limehouse Basin where the walk ends. Close by is the Thames Path.
[edit] Other users
The towpath section of the river is popular with cyclists, and much of it forms part of the National Cycle Network NCR 1.
Angling is available on much of the river.Angling Information
[edit] Maps
Ordnance Survey Explorer 162.174.182.193 Landranger 166.177
[edit] Further reading
Lea Valley Walk by Leigh Hatts ISBN 978 185 284 5223 Published by Cicerone
