Posts tagged Canal

Walking the River Wey Part 5: Canons and Cornmills

Start & Finish: Ripley High Street, Ripley, Woking, GU23 6AN
Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 50m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Wey Navigation Footpath, The Fox Way
Other Routes Touched (cycle): Surrey Cycleway
Cafe / pubs on route: Several in Ripley High Street at the start and end. We like Nest Home and Cafe. Also, The Anchor (5.7 km in)
Map: Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
Links: Wey Navigation, River Wey, River Wey and Godalming Navigations (National Trust), Pyrford, Ripley, Newark Priory

This is the fourth of a series of short circular walks along the River Wey and the Wey Navigation canal in Surrey. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

As with the Weybridge Locks and Levels Walk, this was an already established route rather than one that I created myself. The PDF is a great guide to the walk so I won’t repeat any of it here. The only thing to note is that the route does miss a short section of the Wey Navigation near Pyrford Lakes in order to include Ripley and Ockham Mill. If you prefer a shorter walk that misses Ripley and Ockham Mill but covers the full length of the Wey then the Newark Lane Car Park is a good alternative place to start and end the walk.

Previous section (north): Walking the River Wey Part 4: Byfleet and Wisley
Next section (south): Walking the River Wey Part 6: Newark Lane and Send (Blog post coming soon)

Back to Surrey Hills Index

Richard gower16 November 2024Trek, Canal, National Trust, Surrey, EnglandComment

Walking the River Wey Part 4: Byfleet and Wisley

Start & Finish: High Road Parking, 10 High Road, Byfleet, West Byfleet, KT14 7QG
Distance: 8.1 km (5 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 33m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Wey Navigation Footpath
Other Routes Touched (cycle): Woking Planet Network: Venus Route
Cafe / pub on route: Several in Byfleet Village Centre. The Anchor (2.7 km in)
Maps:
- Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell Map | Thames Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 160
- Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
Links: Wey Navigation, River Wey, River Wey and Godalming Navigations (National Trust), Byfleet, Pyrford, Wisley

This walk starts at Byfleet village centre where there’s free parking at the western end of High Road. Walk in a westerly direction along the A245 Parvis Road, cross over the canal on the road bridge. Descend on the northern side of Parvis Road to cross back over to the eastern side of the canal on the Old Parvis Road bridge.

Continue south along the Wey Navigation for just over 2 km to reach the Anchor pub at Pyrford Lock. Points of interest along the way are Murray’s Footbridge and Dodd’s Footbridge, both with information signs detailing their history.

At The Anchor pub leave the canal and take a footpath heading in an easterly direction across Wisley Golf Course toward Wisley village centre. Take a left onto an unnamed lane by the Old Village Shops then a right onto a footpath. Follow this path in an easterly direction for 1.2 km, through woods and over the M25 to a path junction. Take a left and follow the path to join the eastern bank of the River Wey. Cross over the Wey on a wooden footbridge then take a right onto the driveway that connects Byfleet Manor with Mill Lane. Cross over Mill Lane and continue along the western side of the River Wey until the A245 Parvis Road. Take a left onto Parvis Road, then a left onto High Road and follow it all the way back to the start.

Previous section (north): Walking the River Wey Part 3: New Haw and Byfleet
Next section (south): Walking the River Wey Part 5: Canons and Cornmills

Back to Surrey Hills Index

Richard gower12 October 2024Trek, Canal, National Trust, Surrey, EnglandComment

Walking the River Wey Part 3: New Haw and Byfleet

Start & Finish: Byfleet Road Parking, Byfleet Road, Addlestone, KT15 3JQ
Distance: 7.3 km (4.5 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 28m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Wey Navigation Footpath, Locks and Levels
Other Routes Touched (cycle): None
Cafe / pub on route: The White Hart near New Haw Lock at the start and end. Several in Byfleet village centre.
Map: Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell Map | Thames Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 160
Links: Wey Navigation, River Wey, River Wey and Godalming Navigations (National Trust), New Haw, Byfleet, Brooklands

This is the third of a series of short circular walks along the River Wey and the Wey Navigation canal in Surrey. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

This walk starts at the New Haw Lock where there’s a free car park off Byfleet Road. From here pick up the Wey Navigation Towpath, heading south. After 1 km you’ll reach Woodham Junction, where the M25, Basingstoke Canal and the London to Woking railway line all cross or connect to the canal. The M25 flyover is crosses over the canal diagonally and has some impressive artistic graffiti that’s worth checking out. After the M25 there’s a small footbridge across to the Basingstoke Canal, a nice reminder of when I cycled it a few weeks before.

After Woodham Junction continue south along the Wey Navigation for another 1 km to the Old Parvis Road Bridge. Cross over to the western side of the canal then find the steps up to the new Pavis Road bridge to cross back over to the eastern side of the canal. This is where we leave the Wey Navigation for this section.

Here you have 2 options to cross through Byfleet. The shortest, simplest route is to continue east along Parvis Road then take a left to follow the A318 Sopwith Drive and find the footpath on the eastern side of the A318 that heads in an easterly direction to the River Wey. Alternatively, as we did, follow a slightly longer, but less busy route through Byfleet village centre via High Road. This re-joins Parvis Road where you can cross over and follow Green Lane and Weymede to meet the footpath that connects to the River Wey. Note that some of the gates to the footpath at the northern end of Weymede can be locked as it’s a private estate. We found one that was unlocked, but it you find all gates locked you may need to take a longer route to join the path from the A318 Sopwith Road.

Once on the River Wey path follow it in a northerly direction, keeping the river on your right and Brooklands on your left. Brooklands is the former aerodrome and racing circuit that has since been converted into several different uses including a community park and the home to Mercedes World. After the northern end of Brooklands, the River Wey and the footpath pass under the large brick railway bridge that carries the London to Woking line, previously seen at Woodham Junction. After the railway bridge take a left at the path junction to follow the Locks and Levels path back to new Haw Lock.

Previous section (north): Walking the River Wey Part 2: Weybridge Locks and Levels
Next section (south): Walking the River Wey Part 4: Byfleet and Wisley

Back to Surrey Hills Index

Richard gower5 October 2024Trek, Canal, National Trust, Surrey, EnglandComment

Walking the River Wey Part 1: Weybridge and Desborough Island

Start & Finish: Churchfield Car Park, Churchfield Road, Weybridge, KT13 8DB
Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 34m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Wey Navigation Footpath, Locks and Levels, Thames Path
Other Routes Touched (cycle): NCN 4
London Coal Duty Posts: 91, 92, 93
Cafe / pub on route: Several in Weybridge Town Centre, The Old Crown and The Minnow (2.2 km in), D'Oyly's (2.7 km in)
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Weybridge, Wey Navigation, River Wey, River Wey and Godalming Navigations (National Trust), D'Oyly Carte Island, Desborough Island, Desborough Cut,

This is the first of a series of short circular walks along the River Wey and the Wey Navigation canal in Surrey. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

This walk starts at the Churchfields Car Park in Weybridge town centre. Walk along Church Street in a south-westerly direction then take a right onto Bridge Street. Soon you’ll cross the old Wey Bridge which the town took its name from. The bridge crosses over both the River Wey and the Wey Navigation. Once over the bridge take a right to step down to the Wey Navigation footpath to follow it in a northerly direction towards the confluence with the River Thames. You’ll pass a lot of large, expensive houses on the route. At 1.6 km into the walk you’ll reach Thames Lock, the final lock on the Wey Navigation. Cross over to the right hand side of the lock and follow the path that crosses over the River Wey onto Church Walk. Take a left onto Church Walk, cross over Jessamy Road and follow the path to Thames Street. Take a left onto Thames Street, heading north and pass the Old Crown and The Minnow pubs. Take a left into the small car park next to the Rowing Club to join the path by the River Thames.

Follow the path by the Thames in a north-easterly direction. Soon you'll pass the small ferry where you’ll pick up the Thames Path National Trail. Next you’ll pass D’Oyly Carte Island where there a good, and often busy, cafe. Just after D’Oyly Carte Island, you’ll reach the Desborough Cut, an artificial channel, completed in the 1930s, that bypasses a meandering stretch of the Thames near Shepperton. The Thames Path National Trail follows the Cut, but for this walk we crossed over the Walton Lane bridge to follow the path along the northern side of Desborough Island to stay close to the original course of The Thames.

At the eastern end of Desborough Island cross over the bridge and walk down the steps to rejoin the Thames Path. After 100m, cross over Walton Lane to pick up Broad Water Walk, a path that follows the southern edge of the Engine River and Broad Water lake. Follow this path in a westerly direction until you reach Grenside Road. Take a left to follow Grenside Road south, onto Thames Street, then High Street where you’re back at the start of the walk at Weybridge town centre.

Next section (south): Walking the River Wey Part 2: Weybridge Locks and Levels

Back to Surrey Hills Index

Richard gower21 September 2024Trek, Canal, Coal Duty Post, Thames, National Trust, National Trails, Surrey, EnglandComment

Leighton Buzzard 10K

When: September 15th 2024
Where: Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
Course: Flatish circuit of south of town from Pages Park to the Grand Union. Mix of trail and pavement
Other routes touched: Grand Union Canal Towpath, Two Ridges Link
Finish time: 56 minutes 57 seconds

Back to Run Index

Richard gower15 September 2024Run, 10k, Canal, Disused Railway, Bedfordshire, EnglandComment

Cycling The Basingstoke Canal

Where the Basingstoke Canal meets the Wey Navigation at New Haw

Start: Greywell Tunnel, 134 Hook Road, Greywell, Hook, RG29 1BY
Finish: Thames Towpath parking, 91 Thames St, Weybridge, KT13 8LR
Distance: 55.6 km (34.5 miles)
Elevation change: +246m / -318m. Net -72m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Three Castles Path, Blackwater Valley Path, River Wey Navigation Path, Locks and Levels,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 221, 223, 4,
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Fox and Goose at the start. Several just off-route but we stopped in Fleet (16 km in) and Woking (43.5 km in) and The Old Crown near the end.
Maps:
- Basingstoke, Alton & Whitchurch Map | Odiham, Overton & Hook | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 144
- Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
- Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell Map | Thames Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 160
Links: Basingstoke Canal, Greywell, Greywell Tunnel, Odiham Castle, Fleet, Woking, Aldershot, Mytchett, River Wey Navigation, River Wey

The Basingstoke Canal is a navigable waterway that runs through Hampshire and Surrey. Originally built in the late 18th century to transport goods between Basingstoke and the Thames, the canal fell into disuse in the mid-20th century. The first 10 km from Basingstoke to the Greywell Tunnel is either completely lost or unnavigable. Most of the eastern side of the canal after is navigable albeit the first couple of km only suitable for canoes and paddleboards.

We completed the full length of the canal in 2 sections. The first section was a walk of the “lost” part from Basingstoke to Greywell and the section section a tow-path cycle ride from Greywell to the Thames. See my previous post for the first section and read on for part 2.

The first point of interest is only 1 km into the ride. On the left hand side of the path you’ll find the ruins of Odiham Castle, build in the early 1200s for King John. I had already visited it on a Three Castles Path walk a few years ago but it had a bit of restoration work since then.

Our trip was on a misty late-summer Sunday morning which made for a very pleasant quiet ride along the misty canal. Cycling in this direction shows the gradual increase of its use from overgrown and empty at Greywell to an active use at Woking. The canal takes it’s time to get to the Thames, meandering around the contours on a consistent level at the start before a much straighter and steeper descent at the end.

Navigation is super-simple (just stick to the tow-path) and there’s lots of options just off the path for food stops. We stopped at Fleet and Woking, both big towns, although there’s other choices if you keep an eye on the map.

The Basingstoke Canal ends at Woodham Junction near Byfleet and New Haw railway station. Here the canal joins the Wey Navigation and its where the Waterloo to Basingstoke railway line crosses under the M25. This is an obvious place to stop if you just want to complete the Basingstoke Canal and you also have the option here to return to Basingstoke by train.

We weren’t done yet though as we wanted to reach the Thames. We crossed the small bridge over the Wey Navigation and took a left to follow the towpath on the eastern side toward Weybridge. The Wey Navigation meets the River Wey 4km north of Woodham Junction. Keep to the towpath on the western edge of the Wey Navigation to the end point at the confluence of the Wey and the Thames.

Back to Cycle Index

Richard gower8 September 2024Cycle, NCN, Canal, Thames, National Trust, Hampshire, Surrey, EnglandComment

Walking The Disused Basingstoke Canal

Start: Festival Place, Church Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7LJ
Finish: Greywell Tunnel, 134 Hook Road, Greywell, Hook, RG29 1BY
Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: + 94m / -91m. Net +3m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Three Castles Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 23
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots at the start at Festival Place, plus The Hatch (4.1 km in) and The Fox and Goose at the end.
Map: Basingstoke, Alton & Whitchurch Map | Odiham, Overton & Hook | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 144
Links: Basingstoke Canal, Basingstoke, Old Basing, Up Nately, Greywell, Greywell Tunnel

The start is very easy to get to as the original Basingstoke Basin was under what is now the bus station at the Festival Place Shopping Centre. There’s also a large car park and the train station is also closeby. Start at the Festival Place food court on the eastern side of the shopping centre and take the path under Festival Way into Eastrop Park. You’ll soon be walking next to one of the branches of the River Loddon which the canal used to track for some of its length. Continue through the park, passing under the A339 bridge and into open fields until you meet Redbridge Lane. This is named after the, now buried, Red Bridge which is the first visible sign of the old canal. Take a left onto Redbridge Lane then a right into a small car park where you can continue east on a path parallel to Redbridge Lane, then through Basingstoke Common to Crown Lane.

Take a right onto Crown Lane, then onto Hatch Lane and follow it to the junction with the A30 at the Hatch Pub. This is a good place to stop for a rest and a drink before the final section. After the Hatch cross over the Lyde River and through a small industrial estate to cross over the M3 on a pedestrian bridge. The next 3 km meander through small country lanes and paths to reach Greywell Road near Up Nately. After Greywell Road you’ll be walking next to the canal with water in it for the first time. After ~800m you can take short diversion up the Nately Brickworks Arm. Per Wikipedia: “Bricks from Up Nately were also supplied to local builders in towns along the Canal and accounted for half of the traffic in bricks using the canal. To fire the kiln, about fifty tons of coal per week were supplied by barge from Basingstoke”. The brickworks are long gone and replace by large canal-side houses.

Return to the main course of the canal and continue east for just under 1 km to the entrance of Greywell Tunnel. It’s now gated off to protect the bats who now call it home. Cross over the top of the tunnel entrance to the southern side to pick up a footpath that runs parallel to the route of the tunnel. The path ends at Hook Road in-between the eastern portal of the tunnel and the Fox and Goose pub.

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower31 August 2024Trek, Canal, Hampshire, EnglandComment

Walking The Limehouse Cut and Hertford Union Canal

Start: Canary Wharf Station, Canada Square, London, E14 5AB
Finish: Bethnal Green Underground Station, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 0ET
Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles)
Elevation change: + 58m / -53m. Net -5m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Greenwich Meridian Trail, Lee Valley Walk, Jubilee Greenway, Capital Ring, London to Walsingham Camino, Regents Canal Towpath
Other routes touched (cycle): Prime Meridian Cycle Route, NCN 1, 13, C2
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several at the Start and End at Canary Wharf and Bethnal Green. Also the Cafe at House Mill (5.1 km in) and several at the junction of the Lee Navigation and Hertford Canal (7.3 km in)
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Canary Wharf, Limehouse Basin, Limehouse Cut, Bow Locks, Lee Navigation, House Mill, Hertford Union Canal, Regent’s Canal, Bethnal Green

This is a short, flat and interesting canal-side walk in the east of London. For us it was an epilog to the Regent’s Canal walk that we completed the previous year as it takes in 2 short canals that both intersect with the eastern end of the Regent’s. We started the walk from Canary Wharf Elizabeth Line Station but if you want to shorten it by 2 km you could also start from Limehouse DLR Station.

From Canary Wharf walk in a westerly direction across Cabot Square and Westferry Circus to the north bank of the river Thames. Take a right and follow the Thames Path to Limehouse Basin. Take a right into the basin, keeping to the eastern edge of the marina until you get to the Limehouse Cut.

The Limehouse Cut was constructed in the early 19th century to relieve congestion on the River Thames and provide a more direct route for barges carrying goods to and from the city. The Cut is just over 2km and, initially straight then turns in a curve to Bow Locks, where the Lee Navigation meets Bow Creek. On this walk you’ll follow the path between the Lee Navigation and Bow Creek to reach House Mill at the entrance Three Mills Island. The House Mill is the largest tidal mill standing in Britain and and has a small exhibition and cafe if you’re ready for a rest at this half-way point in the walk.

After House Mill cross over to the western side of the Lee Navigation and continue north along the towpath. You’ll pass through some derelict post-industrial land in various stages of redevelopment before reaching the Olympic Park. Here you’ll find several canal-side options for food, all of which were too busy when we arrived on a Saturday afternoon.

Cross over to the western side of the canal at White Post Lane, take left then a right onto the Hertford Union Canal. The Hertford Union was built to transport goods between Hertford and London, connecting the Lee Navigation to the Regent’s Canal. It’s just over a mile long an passes between Victoria Park on the northern side and housing on the south.

When you reach the Regent’s Canal, take a left and walk south for 200m then cross over the Roman Road Bridge. Follow Roman Road for 1km to the end of the walk at Bethnal Green Underground Station.

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower24 August 2024Trek, Canal, Railway, Thames, London, EnglandComment

Walking The Caledonian Canal from Corpach to Neptune's Steps

Start & Finish: Banavie Locks Car Park, Banavie, Fort William, PH33 7PL
Distance: 5.4 km (3.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 30m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Great Glen Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 78
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe at The Moorings Hotel at the start and finish. An Cafaidh Mara Corpach (3.5 km in)
Map: Ben Nevis & Fort William Map | The Mamores & the Grey Corries, Kinlochleven & Spean Bridge | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 392
Links: Fort William, Banavie, Banavie Station, Caledonian Canal, Neptune’s Staircase, Great Glen Way, Corpach, Corpach Shipwreck

This is a short walk at the southern end of the Caledonian Canal. The canal runs for approximately 60 miles, connecting the west coast of Scotland at Loch Linnhe to the north-eastern coast at Inverness. We were staying in Fort William for a couple of days and wanted to see Neptunes’s Staircase so we turned it into an interesting short circular walk. Neptune’s Staircase is the longest staircase lock in Britain, lifting boats 20 metres through eight locks.

Starting from the Banavie Locks Car Park take a left onto the canal towpath to ascend Neptunes Staircase in a north-easterly direction. Cross over the top lock and take a right to follow the towpath in a south-westerly direction, following the Great Glen Way. Carefully cross over the A830 and continue along the towpath / Great Glen Way to the final lock at Corpach.

Near the end of the canal you’ll see the Corpach Shipwreck across a football field to your left. The ship has been beached there since 2011 and has become a local landmark. If the weather and tides are fine it’s worth a quick diversion from the towpath to check it out.

The canal and towpath finish at Loch Linnhe in the small town of Corpach. Cross over the final lock to the northern side. We stopped at the small cafe in the marina for food and an escape from the heavy rain that suddenly came through.

From Corpach Marina keep on the northern side of the canal heading in a north-easterly direction to return to Banavie Locks.

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower13 August 2024Trek, Canal, Coast, Great Trails, Inverness-shire, ScotlandComment

Walking The Forth and Clyde Canal from The Falkirk Wheel to The Kelpies

Approaching The Kelpies on the Forth and Clyde Canal

Start: The Falkirk Wheel Visitors’ Centre, Lime Road, Falkirk, FK1 4RS
Finish: Kelpies Parking, Grangemouth, FK3 8YE
Distance: 8.7 km (5.4 miles)
Elevation change: +42m / - 85m. Net 43m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): John Muir Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 754
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafes at the start and end. The Canal Inn (3.2km in)
Map: Falkirk, Cumbernauld & Livingston Map | Linlithgow, Bathgate & Kilsyth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 349
Links: Falkirk, Forth and Clyde Canal, Falkirk Wheel, The Kelpies

This is a short canal walk linking 2 major attractions in the Falkirk area: the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies. It’s a point-to-point walk along a section of the Forth and Clyde canal. We parked at the Kelpies and got a taxi to the Falkirk Wheel where we started the walk. We used Bruce Taxis, a local company that was recommended by the Kelpies Visitor Centre.

The Falkirk Wheel is a remarkable feat of engineering that connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. This iconic structure, resembling a giant Ferris wheel, is the world's first and only rotating boat lift. It allows boats to travel between the two canals, overcoming the significant height difference between them. We stayed there for about an hour to see a couple of rotations of the wheel and walk around the whole site.

From the Falkirk Wheel Visitor Centre we walked south along the John Muir Way ascending to the higher level of the canal. We continued south through the tunnel to meet the main section of the Union Canal. A longer walk would have taken us along the Union to the south of Falkirk and Calendar Park, but for this trip, we turned around and headed back to the Visitor Centre. From here we did a full circuit of the Falkirk Wheel Basin to pick up the Forth and Clyde Canal on the northern side.

Take a right onto the Forth and Clyde, heading in and easterly direction. Navigation from here is easy as there’s no diversions along the towpath until you get to The Kelpies. Along the way you’ll pass the recently re-opened Rosebank Distillery with several metal sculptures on the towpath.

Approaching the final few km, you’ll get a good view of the Kelpies from a distance. The Kelpies are iconic steel horse sculptures standing at 30 meters tall. They are the largest horse sculptures in the world. Inspired by the mythological water horses of Scottish folklore, the Kelpies symbolize the industrial heritage of the region, once a centre of coal mining and canal transport.

The Falkirk Wheel

The Kelpies

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower10 August 2024Trek, Canal, Great Trails, Stirlingshire, ScotlandComment

Walking The River Tyburn

The boating lake at Regents Park, once fed by the River Tyburn

Start: Hampstead Underground Station, Hampstead High Street, London NW3 1QG
Finish: Westminster Pier, London SW1A 2JH, United Kingdom
Distance: 10.1 km (6.3 Miles)
Elevation change: +47m / -150m. Net -103m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Regents Canal Towpath, Jubilee Greenway, Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, Thames Path
Other Routes Touched (cycle): C27, 3, 56
Map: OS Explorer 173 London North
Guidebooks: London's Lost Rivers: A Walker's Guide, London's Lost Rivers, London's Hidden Rivers: A walker's guide to the subterranean waterways of London
Links: River Tyburn, Hampstead, Shepherd’s Well, Swiss Cottage, Regents Park, Baker Street, Mayfair, Green Park, Westminster

For today's London lost river trip we met up with some friends at Hampstead Tube station to walk the route of the old River Tyburn. The Tyburn, once a vital artery of London, now flows silently beneath the bustling city. Originally a meandering stream that provided water and powered mills, its course now follows a network of sewers. Despite its disappearance, the Tyburn's legacy lives on. Its path can be traced through street names and subtle dips in the land, while its past function is remembered in landmarks like Buckingham Palace, which it once flowed beneath. Though hidden from sight, the River Tyburn remains a fascinating reminder of London's ever-changing landscape.

From Hampstead Tube Station follow the A502 Hampstead High Street in a south-easterly direction then take a right onto Shepherds Walk. Continue onto Spring Walk and follow it all the way to Fitzjohn’s Avenue. Take a left onto Spring Path and follow it to the junction with Shepherd’s Path. This junction is the approximate location of the source of the River Tyburn.

Take a right onto Shepherd’s Path and follow it back to Fitzjohn’s Avenue. Here you’ll find Shepherd’s Well, a former source of drinking water and now an early artifact of the route of the Tyburn. Continue south along Fitzjohn’s Avenue where you’ll pass the statue of Sigmund Freud on the corner with Belsize Lane. At the Swiss Cottage Junction continue in a south-easterly direction onto the B525. You could either follow this straight to Regent’s Park or, to keep closer to the route of the old river, take a right onto Norfolk Road, a left onto Woronzow Road, a right onto St Johns Wood Terrace and a left onto Charlbert Street. Cross over Prince Albert Road and cross over Bridge #8 on the Regent’s Canal to enter Regent’s Park.

Head south through Regent’s Park and along-side the western side of the boating lake which was once filled by the Tyburn. Exit the park onto Baker Street just before the footbridge that leads to Regent’s University. Head south along Baker Street, then over the A501 into Marylebone. The area takes its name from the River Tyburn and the nearby St Mary’s Church (“St Mary’s on the bourne” = Marylebone). The route of the Tyburn meanders south through Marylebone and across Oxford Street (known as Tyburn Road in the eighteenth century) at Bond Street. Continue south into Mayfair and take a moment to stop at Gray’s Antiques Market where’s it’s claimed that the river still runs through its basement.

At New Bond Street then route of the Tyburn curves to the south-west taking you along Curzon Street and White Horse Street to Piccadilly. Cross over into Green Park and cross the park in a south-easterly direction to Buckingham Palace. The Tyburn flows under the Palace, emerging on the south side near Ambassador’s Court. Here the Tyburn splits into two with one section flowing south to Pimlico and another branch west to Westminster.

We chose to follow the Westminster branch, following the route along Buckingham Gate, Caxton Street, Dacre Street, Victoria Street and onto Parliament Square. Cross the grass centre of Parliament Square towards Westminster Bridge, then walk north on the Embankment to Westminster Pier. The unmarked confluence of the Tyburn and Thames is approximately at the spot of the Protected View to St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Eastern Source: Belsize Park to Charlbert Street

Start: Belsize Park Underground, Haverstock Hill, London, NW3 2AL
Finish: Drunch Pub Regent's Park, 38 St John's Wood Terrace, London, NW8 6LS
Distance: 3.3 km (2 Miles)
Elevation change: +6m / -35m. Net -29m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched: None
Links: Belsize Park

Having walked the Hampstead to Westminster branch of the Tyburn I wanted to visit the alternative sources at Belsize Park and the eastern confluence at Pimlico. I used OpenStreetMap as a guide as some layers show the route of the Tyburn. There’s actually 2 eastern sources shown at Belsize Park, one near the Everyman Cinema on Haverstock Hill and the other in the ground of Hillfield Court off Belsize Avenue. Both are within a few minutes of Belsize Park Underground Station.

To follow the course of the Tyburn from the eastern sources, find the junction of Glenloch Road and Glenmore Road. Follow Glenmore Road in a south-westerly direction, take a left onto Glenilla Road, then a left onto Belsize Park Gardens. Here the course of the river cuts under the terraced houses so you need to take a longer route round to pick up Lancaster Drive on the southern side. Follow Lancaster Drive south, right onto Lancaster Grove, left onto Strathray Gardens, right onto Eton Avenue and left onto King’s College Road. Here the course goes through a private estate. From the map it looked like you could walk through the estate, but I choose a slightly longer route around via Winchester Road and Harley Road to pick up the course again at Wadham Gardens. Take a right onto Elsworthy Lane, a left on to Avenue Road, right onto Acacia Road, left onto Woronznow Road, and a right onto St Johns Wood Terrace.

According to OpenStreetMap, this branch of the Tyburn merges with the Hampstead branch at the junction of St Johns Wood Terrace and Charlbert Street. The junction is flanked by the Drunch Pub and a hairdressers.

The Pimlico Branch: Buckingham Palace to Grosvenor Road

Start: Gates to Ambassadors’ Court, Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA
Finish: Thames Path by Tyburn House, 140c Grosvenor Rd, Pimlico, London, SW1V 3JY
Distance: 2.1 km (1.3 Miles)
Elevation change: +12m / -18m. Net -6m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Thames Path
Other Routes Touched (cycle): NCN 4, C8
Links: Buckingham Palace, Pimlico

To pick up the Pimlico Branch, return to Ambassadors’ Court on the south side of Buckingham Palace. The main walk detailed about heads west from here to Westminster. Instead we’ll continue south through Westminster, Victoria, Pimlico and to the confluence with the Thames.

From Ambassadors’ Court, cross over the A3124 Buckingham Gate and walk south down a small alleyway, also called Buckingham Gate, then take a right onto Stafford Place. Continue south, crossing Palace Street, along Cathedral Walk and onto the A302. Follow Carlisle Place briefly then divert onto King Scholar’s Passage to stay closer to the course of the Tyburn. Cross over Vauxhall Bridge Road and onto Upper Tachbrook Street then Tachbrook Street. At Pimlico Underground Station, cross over Lupus Street and follow Aylesford Street to Grosvenor Road that runs parallel to the Thames. Take a left onto Grosvenor Road and follow it for ~100 metres to find Tyburn House on the south side of the road. Take the alleyway to the Thames Path to meet the confluence of the Tyburn with the Thames. You’ll find it marked by a slate plaque by artist Paul Mason listing key points along the course of the Tyburn.

The Tyburn Tree and Tyburn Convent

The Tyburn Tree and Tyburn Convent are fascinating places to visit after the walk.

For over 600 years, the Tyburn Gallows loomed over London as a grim symbol of punishment. Nicknamed "The Deadly Never Green Tree," this wasn't an actual tree but a permanent, three-pronged wooden scaffold where public executions took place. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, thousands met their demise here for crimes ranging from petty theft to treason. The process could be gruesome, with condemned souls hanged, then sometimes even drawn and quartered as a chilling deterrent to onlookers. Though a morbid landmark, the Tyburn Gallows offer a glimpse into London's harsh past and the evolution of justice. Today, a solitary plaque marks the spot where countless fates were decided.

Around 300m west of the Tyburn Gallows is the Tyburn Convent. Built in the early 1900s, it serves as a shrine to the Catholic martyrs executed there during the Reformation. The convent houses a community of nuns, the Tyburn Nuns, devoted to perpetual adoration and the legacy of these martyrs. Visitors can explore the poignant Crypt of the Martyrs, learn about the gruesome history of the site, and experience a place of solace and reflection.

The Tyburn Tree and Convent are not directly on the route of the old River Tyburn. They can be visited either as a diversion when crossing over Oxford Street or via a short Tube ride at the end from Westminster to Marble Arch with a change at Bond Street.

Links: Tyburn Tree, Tyburn Convent

Day 1: Thames Barrier to Chatham

Start: Charlton Railway Station, London, SE7 7QG, United Kingdom
Finish: Premier Inn Chatham/Gillingham (Victory Pier) hotel, Blake Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 1GB, United Kingdom
Distance: 62.8 km (39 miles)
Elevation change: + 408m / -409m (Net +1m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Capital Ring, Jubilee Greenway, Green Chain Walk, London Loop. Cray River Way, Hoo Peninsula Path, Weald Way, Thames and Medway Canal Towpath, Saxon Shore Way, England Coast Path, Strood Community Trail,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 125, 179, Q14
Pubs / Cafes on route: At Woolwich Arsenal (4km in), Erith (15km in), Dartford (25km in), Gravesend (39 km in), Rochester (57km in), Chatham (59km in)
Maps:
- Greenwich & Gravesend Map | East End, Docklands, Bromley, Sidcup & Thurrock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 162
- Gravesend & Rochester Map | Hoo Peninsula | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 163
Links: Charlton, Thames Barrier, Woolwich Arsenal, Erith, Dartford, Gravesend, Thames and Medway Canal, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham

Like all Saturdays the day started with a parkrun, this time at Great Lines Heritage park, just over a mile from from the hotel. From there we headed to Chatham Station to get the train to Charlton. The Thames Barrier is a 1.4km ride from Charlton Station.

Navigation is straightforward, keeping to the NCN Route 1 all the way to Chatham. The first 20km hugs the riverside passing a mix of pleasant gentrified areas like Woolwich Arsenal and ugly industrial parts. After Erith the Route 1 cuts south away from the river to Dartford avoiding the entrance to the Queen Elizabeth Bridge. We had planned a coffee and cake stop in Dartford but nothing inspired us so we carried on. By the time we reached Gravesend we were really hungry and, as pubs were open by then, were optimistic about finding food. We found Gravesend equally inspiring so didn’t stop there either.

After Gravesend the scenery becomes much more pleasant. With the Route 1 following the disused Thames and Medway Canal. Watch out for the obelisk that marks the half-way point between the cities of London and Rochester. The Route 1 leaves the canal at Lower Higham which, conveniently for us, also has a train station. Brian was having problems with his wheel after several punctures and we’d run out of options to fix it at the road-side. Here we decided that Brian would head to Chatham by train and I would finish the first day on my own.

As it turned out Brian missed one of the best parts of the first day. The final section included quiet countryside and a descent down to Rochester. Had we kept together we would have stopped in Rochester for food ahead of the final few miles. I decided that I was on a mission to beat Brian’s train journey back to Chatham so I wasn’t hanging around. A 20 minute wait for the train meant that I was back at the hotel before Brian arrived at Halfords in Chatham. With a newly fixed wheel and fresh supplies of inner-tubes we were now ready for Day 2.

Day 2: Chatham to Margate

Start: Premier Inn Chatham/Gillingham (Victory Pier) hotel, Blake Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 1GB, United Kingdom
Finish: Margate Lighthouse, Harbour Arm, Margate, CT9 1AP
Distance: 87 km (54 miles)
Elevation change: + 514m / -513m (Net -1m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Saxon Shore Way, England Coast Path, Swale Heritage Trail, Invicta Way, Wantsum Walk,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 174, 15: Viking Coastal Trail
Pubs / Cafes on route: At Sittingbourne (22km in), Faversham (40km in), Whitstable (59km in), Herne Bay (66km in), Westgate-on-Sea (83km in) and Margate.
- We stopped at Cafe Guild in Faverham (40 km in) and The Ship Inn, Herne Bay (66km in)
Maps:
- Gravesend & Rochester Map | Hoo Peninsula | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 163
- Sittingbourne & Faversham Map | Isle of Sheppey | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 149
- Canterbury & Isle of Thanet Map | Herne Bay, Deal & Whitstable | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 150
Links: Sittingbourne, Faversham, Crab & Winkle Way, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Reculver, Westgate-on-Sea, Margate, Margate Lighthouse

Shortly after leaving the Chatham/Gillingham area, the Route 1 passes through Riverside Country Park. It was very popular with dog walkers early that Sunday morning so it was a good chance to take it slow as we warmed up for the day. After the Country Park the route cuts away from the estuary from Rainham to Sittingbourne.

Sittingbourne was our original plan for a breakfast stop but we were similarly uninspired by food options as we were on day 1. By the time we arrived in Faversham with 40km down we were starving. It was worth the wait though as Faversham is a very nice old Kent market town with several good cafes.

After Faversham the route heads back towards the coast then takes a detour up the steepest hill of the route to bypass Whitstable Town Centre. After a well-earned descent we reached the Crab & Winkle Way, a disused railway that once connected Whitstable to Canterbury. This was the point where we left the NCN 1, which follows the old railway line to the south. Instead we followed the Crab & Winkle Way north to join the Route 15 Viking Way at the Whistable coast.

The last 28km along the Viking Way from Whitstable to Margate was my favourite section of the whole route. This section keeps to the coast along flat boulevards passing seaside towns and the remains of Reculver Towers. We had made good time so we stopped for a while at a pub in Herne Bay to gaze across the estuary and contemplate future adventures.

Our 2-day adventure finished at Margate Lighthouse, an obvious place to mark the end of the Estuary adventure. We really enjoyed the trip and, baring the wheel & puncture issues at the end of day one, found it pretty easy going. I still didn’t get the sense of completion though. Yes, we had cycled the estuary to complete the Thames Path, but we had now left the southern section of the NCN Route 1 uncompleted. Within a couple of days I was already planning the next 2 day adventure to complete both the NCN Route 1 from Whitstable to Dover and the rest of the Viking Way.

The Full 2-Day Route

The Millennium Mileposts

Dotting the UK's National Cycle Network are over 1,000 unique markers known as the Millennium Mileposts. Unveiled in 2000, these cast-iron sculptures are more than just waymarkers. Designed by four artists, one from each nation of the UK, they celebrate the diversity of the cycling routes. These artistic mileposts come in various shapes and can be found in both bustling towns and scenic landscapes, adding a touch of artistic charm to a cycling adventure. Here’s the 14 Mileposts that I spotted on the 2 day estuary adventure.

Back to Cycle Index

Richard gower24 March 2024Cycle, NCN, Coast, Canal, Railway, Disused Railway, Thames, London, Kent, National Trails, England Comments

Walking The Guildford and Shalford Disused Railways

Broadford Road bridge over the disused railway path

Start: Shalford Station, Guildford, GU4 8JD
Finish: Guildford Station, Guildford, GU1 4UT
Distance: 9.1 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 52m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Wey-South Path, National Trust Railway Walk, Scholar’s Trail, North Downs Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22, Downs Link
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Snooty Fox cafe near Shalford Station, The Weyside (7.9 km in), many others in Guildford
Map: OS Explorer Map (145) Guildford and Farnham
Links: Shalford, Guildford, Wey and Arun Canal, National Trust River Wey and Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf, The Cranleigh Line

This is part of a series of short walks in and around the Surrey Hills. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

I’d had this walk in mind for a few years after I completed the Downs Link with my friend Mark in 2021. The Downs Link connects the North Downs Way and South Downs Way, mostly following disused railways. It starts at St Martha’s Hill following footpaths and joins the old rail line near Chinthurst Hill. However, there’s a section of this old line from Guildford that the Downs Link doesn’t follow so we needed to return to complete the rest.

This is a point-to-point walk with Guildford and Shalford Stations at either end. We originally planned to start at Guildford and return back on the train from Shalford. Although the train ride between them is only 8 minutes, the trains are fairly infrequent at weekends. As there was a Guildford-Shalford train leaving shortly after we parked at Guildford we took that one and did the route in reverse.

From Shalford Station cross over the A281 Horsham Road and follow the path across the common in a south-westerly direction to Broadford Road. Take a right and cross the bridge over the River Wey. Follow the path on the western side of the Wey north for approximately 1 km until you see the path on the left to the National Trust River Wey Navigations Railway Line Walk. Climb the old embankment to the WW2 Pillbox at the top and follow the route of the old rail line. This is the old section of line where trains from Shalford would have crossed over the River Wey to turn south onto the line to Petersfield. After ~400m the path reaches the fence where you can see the current Guildford to Petersfield line.

Continue a bit further and you’ll see where the Cranleigh Line used to split off from the Guildford to Petersfield line. Look closely near the A3100 Old Portsmouth Road bridge and you can see some remains of the old track with a tree growing out of them. This is the start of the old Cranleigh Line which becomes the route of the Downs Link further to the south.

Follow the route of the old rail line for another 2km, crossing under Broadford Road, across Horsham Road and back onto the Wey-South Path. Our walk reaches its southernmost point at the Tannery Lane bridge where the Downs Link joins from the north-east. Having already done the rest of the Cranleigh Line on the Downs Link, this now completes the full stretch of the disused railway.

To complete the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to Horsham Road. Instead of following the old rail line again take a right onto Horsham Road and follow the Wey-South Path. Stay on the Wey-South Path, along the banks of the Wey all the way back to Guildford. On this final stretch you’ll retrace the 1 km of the route between the Broadford Road Bridge and the start of the old railway line. You’ll also cross over the route of the North Downs Way. For me this would have been a more logical place to start the Downs Link as it would have run closer to the route of the rail lines. I guess whoever designed the trail wasn’t as much of a completist as I am and thought St Martha’s Hill was a more impressive place to start.

Annoyingly, the end-point of the Wey-South Path at Millmead Lock was blocked off when we got there. The footbridge onto the island was destroyed after heavy rain in 2019 and is still out of action. There’s an easy diversion along the A281 past The Weyside pub and then over the footbridge behind the theatre. The final 1 km of the walk follows the west bank of the Wey back to Guildford Station.

The Bridges

Bridge numbers counting up from 1 at Little Venice to 64 near Limehouse Basin. Not all bridges have numbers on them.

Back to Chiltern Rivers Index

Richard gower25 November 2023Trek, Canal, Railway, London, Middlesex, England Comment

Walking The Slough Arm Canal

Start: Slough Station, Railway Terrace, Slough, SL1 1XW
Finish: West Drayton Station, Station Approach, West Drayton UB7 9DY
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 28m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Colne Valley Trail, Beeches Way, Shakespeare’s Way, Celandine Route, London Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): Grand Union Canal Towpath, NCN 61
London Coal Duty Post: 69
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in West Drayton High Street
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Slough Arm Canal (Wikipedia / Canal & River Trust) Slough, Langley, Iver, Yiewsley, West Drayton, Colne Valley Regional Park,

The Slough Canal is an arm that branches off from the main Grand Union Canal at Yiewsley in Hillingdon, Greater London. It was opened in 1882, primarily to serve the brick industry. The arm closed to commercial traffic in 1960 and re-opened in 1975. There have been plans to extend the canal to join the River Thames between Windsor and Maidenhead, but that feels unlikely to happen.

I’ve cycled the Slough Arm on many occasions and crossed over it on other walks but, until now, hadn’t walked the whole length. It runs parallel to the GWR mainline and Elizabeth Line which makes it easy to walk as a single point-to-point between stations. We started at Slough Station and finished at West Drayton, with a short ride on the Elizabeth Line back to the start.

Leave Slough Station at the north entrance onto Railway Terrace and walk west to join the B416. Follow the B416 in a northerly direction to find the entrance to the canal basin on the right hand side of the road shortly after St. Paul’s church. The first 4km runs between a mix of residential and light industrial areas. There’s a lot of rubbish along the way despite the best efforts of the Friends of The Slough Arm local community group.

After the Langley park Road Bridge (#7), the canal becomes a parking area for boats lined up for the repair yard at bridge #6 at Hollow Hill Lane. From here the canal enters the Colne Valley Regional Park and soon joins the Beeches Way and Shakespeare’s Way. The towpath passes under the M25, then over the Colne Brook, River Colne and Frays River. Watch out for the two WW2 Pill Boxes that guard the rivers and the Coal Duty Post by the footbridge carrying the London Loop.

By the time you reach the junction with the Grand Union Canal you’ll have passed through Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, the Historic County of Middlesex and into the Greater London Borough of Hillingdon. When you reach the main line of the Grand Union, cross over the footbridge and take a right to follow the towpath for 800m to the West Drayton High Street Bridge. Leave the canal and cross the bridge to reach the end of the walk at West Drayton Station.

The Bridges

Bridge numbers counting down from the Basin to the Junction with the Grand Union. Bridges 5 and 2 have been destroyed.

Back to Chiltern Rivers Index

Richard gower28 October 2023Trek, Canal, Railway, Chilterns, London, Middlesex, EnglandComment

Walking The Aylesbury Arm Canal

Bridge 10 between Puttenham and Broughton

The Aylesbury Canal is an arm that branches off from the main Grand Union Canal at Marsworth near the Hertfordshire / Buckinghamshire border. The canal opened in 1814 and was used for the transport of agricultural produce and coal. Unlike the Wendover Canal the whole length is still navigable.

We walked the length of the canal in three sections over the autumn of 2023. Each section was part of a circular walk of around 10k. A single point-to-point walk of the canal is also 10k. Scroll down to the bottom of this page for details.

Section 1: Marsworth To Puttenham

Start & Finish: The Red Lion Pub, 90 Vicarage Rd, Marsworth, Tring HP23 4LU
Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 52m.
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Aylesbury Ring
Other routes touched (cycle): Grand Union Canal Towpath, Tring 5 Cycle Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Red Lion (at start and end), The Farmhouse Kitchen at PE Mead and Sons (7.2 km in)
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Aylesbury Arm Canal (Wikipedia / Canal & River Trust / Aylesbury Canal Society), Marsworth, Grand Union Canal, Drayton Beauchamp, Wilstone

For section 1 of the Aylesbury Arm we picked up where we left off on the final section of the Wendover Canal walk. The Red Lion Pub on Vicarage Road is a good place to start as there’s free on-street parking. From the pub walk north to cross the Grand Union Canal and take a left to follow the Grand Union Towpath to Marsworth Wharf. Here you can either cross over the gates on the first lock of the Aylesbury Canal or cross over the Watery Lane bridge. Either way, take a right after crossing the Aylesbury Canal to follow the towpath heading west.

This first section of the Aylesbury Canal towpath is just under 3km leading to bridge #7 near Puttenham. Once leaving the towpath follow the lane in a south-easterly direction to Drayton Beauchamp, crossing over the B489 Lower Icknield Way. Once in Drayton Beauchamp find the footpath on the left that leads to Wilstone Reservoir then follow the northern edge of the reservoir to join the B489 at PE Mead & Sons Farm Shop. There’s a cafe there that’s a good place for a rest before the final section.

After the Farm Shop continue along the B489 in a north-easterly direction to the point where the road curves to the right. Take a footpath on the left of the curve that leads back to Watery Lane in Marsworth, crossing over Wingrave Road on the way. Follow Watery Lane back over the Aylesbury Canal then return to the Red Lion either via the same route as the start of the trip or along Church Lane.

Section 2: Puttenham to Broughton

Start & Finish: St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Puttenham, Tring, HP23 4PR
Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 28m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Aylesbury Ring
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Aylesbury Arm Canal (Wikipedia / Canal & River Trust / Aylesbury Canal Society), Puttenham, Broughton

This section starts at St Mary’s Church in Puttenham which is one of the few places to park near the route. From the church take a footpath heading in a north-easterly direction to connect with the outer Aylesbury Ring. Follow the Outer Aylesbury Ring as it curves to the south-east, connecting with the Aylesbury Canal 2km from the start of the walk.

Follow the Aylesbury Canal towpath for just under 4km to bridge #11. You’re now at the end of this section of the towpath and on the outer edges of Broughton, a suburb of Aylesbury. Cross over the bridge to the southern bank and pick up the footpath that heads east all the way back to St Mary’s Church at Puttenham. Navigation is fairly simple as there’s few other paths connecting with it. It was very overgrown when we were there and having some hedge clippers would have made it easier.

Be careful with this section in damp conditions. It was a very wet October day when we were there and the ground on the northern side of the canal was soaked.

Section 3: Broughton to Aylesbury Basin

Start & Finish: Aylesbury Basin, Aylesbury, HP21 7SH
Distance: 7 km (4.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 20m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Round Aylesbury Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in Aylesbury Town Centre
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Aylesbury Arm Canal (Wikipedia / Canal & River Trust / Aylesbury Canal Society), Marsworth, Broughton, Aylesbury

For this final section we started in Aylesbury Town Centre where there’s a lot of options for parking and access by public transport. I tried to plan a full circular walk like for the other sections but couldn’t find a good scenic option around the urban part at the basin end. Instead, the first and last 2km repeat the final part of the towpath.

Start at Aylesbury Basin and follow the towpath on the southern side of the canal to Victoria Park. Leave the canal and cross over the Bear Brook Stream following it in an easterly direction parallel to the towpath. Cross under the A4157 Oakfield Road Bridge into Oakfield Park continuing the follow the Bear Brook as it curves down to the south-east. At around 2.1 km into the trip you can take a left hand path that crosses over the stream and through the Bear Brook Flood Relief Area. This area is (as you might imagine) prone to flooding, so if it’s impassable stick to the path to the right of the Bear Brook up to a crossing to Broughton Lane.

Whichever way you cross the Bear Brook, find the footpath that leads into fields on the eastern side of Broughton Lane north of Manor Farm. Follow the path through the field for approximately 1 km curving up to the north-east to return to the Aylesbury Canal at Bridge 13. This is where section 2 left the canal. Take a left at the bridge to follow the towpath in a westerly direction back to Aylesbury Basin.

The Full Aylesbury Arm Canal Route

The 3 circular route sections shown together. Red = Section 3, Green = Section 2, Blue = Section 3

The 10km point to point Walk from Marsworth to Aylesbury

Details for a Point-to-Point Walk:

Start: Marsworth Wharf, Tring, HP23 4BW
Finish: Aylesbury Basin, Aylesbury, HP21 7SH
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation change: +18m /- 44m. Net -26m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Aylesbury Ring, Round Aylesbury Walk.
Other routes touched (cycle): Tring 5 Cycle Route
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Aylesbury Arm Canal (Wikipedia / Canal & River Trust / Aylesbury Canal Society),

The Bridges

There’s no number sign on bridge 13.

Back to Chiltern Rivers Index

Richard gower8 October 2023Trek, Canal, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment

Walking The Wendover Arm Canal

Two sides of the Miswell Bridge. Left: looking west, Right: looking east.

The Wendover Canal is an arm of the Grand Union Canal that branches off from the main Grand Union at Bulbourne near Marsworth on the Hertfordshire / Buckinghamshire border. It was originally planned as a feeder to carry water from springs near Wendover on the northern edge of the Chilterns the main line of the Grand Union. Paul Whitewick’s video tells the story of the birth and decline of the canal and is useful watching before visiting it.

We walked the length of the canal in three sections over the autumn of 2023. Each section was part of a circular walk of around 10k. A single point-to-point walk of the canal is 11.4k. Scroll down to the bottom of this page for details.

Section 1: Wendover to Stablebridge Road

Start & Finish: Wendover Clock Tower, 3 Tring Rd, Wendover, Aylesbury HP22 6DU
Distance: 10.8 km (6.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 166m.
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Aylesbury Ring, Outer Aylesbury Ring, Wendover Woods Hillfort Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in Wendover Village Centre, Restaurant at the Chiltern Forest Golf Club (6.3k in), Wendover Woods Cafe (8.4 km in)
OS Trig Pillar: TP2394 - Coombe Hill
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Wendover Arm Canal (Wikipedia / Canal & River Trust / Wendover Canal Trust) , Wendover, Halton, RAF Halton, Wendover Woods

Section 1 starts at the Clock Tower in Wendover Town Centre. From here head north along Aylesbury Road then take a right onto Wharf Road. Here you’ll find the start of the Wendover Canal footpath at the point where Heron Brook passes under the road into the canal. This first section of the path covers 4.5 km, ending at Stablebridge Road. Along the way you’ll pass through Halton village and past the RAF Halton.

At Stablebridge Road leave the canal and walk south along the Outer Aylesbury Ring. Cross over the B4009 Upper Icknield Way and ascend up through the Chiltern Forest Golf Course. Continue along the Outer Aylesbury Ring to the Wendover Woods Visitors’ Centre. Along the way you can opt to take a short-cut across a field to visit the Coombe Hill Trig Pillar.

From the Wendover Woods Visitors’ Centre, pick up the Hillfort Trail to reach a footpath that leads down to Beechwood Lane. Continue in a south-westerly direction along Beechwood Lane, Barlow Road, Hampden Road and onto the B4009 Upper Icknield Way to return to the Wendover Clock Tower.

Section 2: Stablebridge Road to Miswell Farm

Start & Finish: Small car park on western side of Stablebridge Road, Aston Clinton, just south of the canal.
Distance: 8.9 km (5.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 157m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Outer Aylesbury Ring, Tring Parish Walk 1: Little Tring
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Restaurant at the Chiltern Forest Golf Club (6.7k in)
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Wendover Arm Canal (Wikipedia / Canal & River Trust / Wendover Canal Trust), Aston Clinton, Drayton Beauchamp

Section 2 picks up at Stablebridge Road and follows the Wendover Canal for 2.6 km to the wooden footbridge near Misbourne Farm. This takes you to the point where the restored part of the canal finishes. Cross over the footbridge and follow the path in a south-easterly direction. Cross over the B488 Icknield Way, following Miswell Lane and take a right onto Buckingham Lane. Continue in a westerly direction through the residential estate to meet a footpath by the playing fields. Take a left to follow this path.

Continue to follow the path as it curves round to the west, crossing over the A41, Dancers End Lane and then up the hill into the woods. Here you’ll reconnect with the Outer Aylesbury Ring near the Chiltern Forest Golf Course from section 1. Descend the hill in the opposite direction that you took in section 1 (heading north) to return to the canal at Stablebridge Road.

Section 3: Miswell Farm to Marsworth

Start & Finish: The Red Lion Pub, 90 Vicarage Rd, Marsworth, Tring HP23 4LU
Distance: 9.7 km (6 miles)
Elevation change: +/-61m.
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Tring Parish Walk 1: Little Tring
Other routes touched (cycle): Grand Union Canal Towpath, Tring 5 Cycle Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Red Lion (at start and end), Waters Edge (0.6km in)
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Wendover Arm Canal (Wikipedia / Canal & River Trust / Wendover Canal Trust), Marsworth, Tring Reservoirs, Grand Union Canal

Section 3 completes the Wendover Arm and gives a tour of Marsworth, the start of the Aylesbury Canal and the Marsworth Reservoirs. The start and end is at the Red Lion Pub in Marsworth village centre where there’s free on-street parking. From the pub follow Vicarage Road heading in a south-easterly direction and take a right onto Church Lane. When Church Lane starts to curve to the right, take a footpath to the left that leads to a bridge that takes the B489 Lower Icknield Way over the Grand Union Canal.

Cross over the Grand Union and take a left into the Startops End Car Park. This is a good alternative place to start the walk but can often be full at weekends. Take the footpath along the north-westerly edge of Startops End Reservoir then cross over Tringford Road to follow the north-westerly edge of Tringford Reservoir. Keep heading in a southerly direction to Little Tring Road to the bridge over the Wendover Canal.

Before the bridge leave the road to pick up the footpath heading (right) in a westerly direction to a dead-end / turnaround spot for canal boats. Continue along the footpath, now in a south-westerly direction to a path junction. Take a right, heading north to return to the Wendover Canal at the wooden footbridge where section 2 left the canal.

After crossing the footbridge, take a right to follow the route of the canal, currently dry and under restoration works. The path will lead you back to Little Tring Road where you’ll need to temporarily leave the route of the old towpath to reach the Little Tring Road bridge again. Rejoin the canal towpath, this time taking a left to head in an easterly direction. Follow the canal towpath for 2.1 km to reach the end of the Wendover Arm at Bulbourne.

To complete the walk, take a left onto the main route of the Grand Union Canal, following it for 1.7 km to the start of the Aylesbury Canal. Cross over the first lock of the Aylesbury Canal and continue to the Long Marston Road Bridge. Cross over the bridge and you’ll be back on Vicarage Road near the Red Lion Pub

The Full Wendover Arm Canal Route

The 3 circular route sections shown together. Green = Section 1, Blue = Section 2, Red = Section 3

The Point to Point Walk from Wendover to Bulbourne

Details for a Point-to-Point Walk:

Start: Wharf Road, Wendover, Aylesbury, HP22 6HF
Finish: Junction with main route of Grand Union Canal at New Canal Cottages, Tring HP23 4NG
Distance: 11.4 km (7.1 miles)
Elevation change: +55m /- 57m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Aylesbury Ring, Outer Aylesbury Ring, Tring Parish Walk 1: Little Tring
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in Wendover Village Centre, none on route
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Wendover Arm Canal (Wikipedia / Canal & River Trust / Wendover Canal Trust) , Wendover, Halton, Aston Clinton, Tring Reservoirs, Grand Union Canal

Back to Chiltern Rivers Index

Richard gower30 September 2023Trek, Canal, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Trig Pillar, EnglandComment

Walking The Uxbridge To Denham Disused Railway

Start & Finish: Buckinghamshire New University, Uxbridge Campus, 106 Oxford Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1NA
Distance: 6.3 km (3.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 27m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): London Loop, Colne Valley Trail, South Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Grand Union Canal Towpath
Pubs / Cafes on route: Swan & Bottle pub (near start and end)
Map: Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenshead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Uxbridge, Fray’s River, Alderglade Nature Reserve, Colne Valley Regional Park, Grand Union Canal

This trip was a return to visit to Uxbridge following my previous week’s cycle adventure on the Staines West to Denham Lines. Although we cycled between the old Uxbridge High Street Station and Denham, we followed a more cycle-friendly route rather than the course of the old rail line. This week Timea and I returned to walk the true route of the line. As with last week’s longer route from Staines West to Denham, this trip was inspired by Geoff Marshall’s London’s Lost Railways videos. Check out Geoff’s video for more detail on each of the lines and stations.

The route starts at 106 Oxford Road, the site of the former Uxbridge High Street Station, now a campus for Buckinghamshire New University. It’s actually in Hillingdon, Greater London, though and not in Buckinghamshire which is just across the River Colne to the west. The line closely follows the Hillingdon/Buckinghamshire border staying in Hillingdon for most of it’s length apart from one very short section at the start of Alderglade Nature Reserve.

From 106 Oxford Road follow Braybourne Close in a northerly direction to the end then into Alderglade Nature Reserve. The path follows the left hand side of the old railway embankment then follows the top of it. You can see a few bits of remaining metal from the railway if it’s not too overgrown. At the 1.3 km mark you’ll reach an old graffitied bridge that goes under the railway. Here you’ll need to cross over the Shire Ditch (Stream) and divert away from the rail route as it passes through private property.

Keep heading north on the footpath closest to the rail line and you’ll pass under a raised section of the A40 and through the Graffiti Gallery. On the north side of the A40 follow a path taking you east back to the course of the old rail line. There was a lot of nettles when we were there in July which made if difficult to see the path. Once on it, you can follow the route of the rail line through wood most of the way to the old mainline junction.

This section after the A40 is littered with old railway sleepers and bits of old railway metal. It’s a great place to explore in an area that attracts relatively few people. Around 500m from the A40 you’ll cross over an old bridge over the River Frays. Climb down the embankment just to the south of the river to get a good view of the old bridge. After the bridge continue along the route of the old railway to the site of the triangle junction that took trains onto the GWR/Chiltern Main Line. The route now ends here as the triangle is now used by a concrete company. Here you have the choice of retracing your steps for 200m to the footpath junction or, as we did, take a circuit of the small fishing lake in the woods to the east.

Whichever route you take to return from the end of the line, take the footpath that crosses between the 2 lakes on the eastern side of the old rail line. Cross over the Grand Union Canal and take a left to head south back to Uxbridge. When you pass Denham Deep Lock you could take a right into Denham Country Park to follow the South Bucks Way to Denham Station. As I’d followed that route on the bike the previous week we continued south along the canal. When you return to Uxbridge the Swan and Bottle Pub (next to the canal bridge) is a good place to stop for a rest. Look out for old photos of Uxbridge on the wall and a great map of waterways in the area. From the Swan and Bottle cross the bridge to the eastern side of the canal and back to the start at 106 Oxford Road.

Back to Chiltern Railway Walks Index

Richard gower30 July 2023Trek, Canal, Railway, Disused Railway, Colne Valley, Buckinghamshire, London, Chilterns, EnglandComment

Cycling the Staines to Denham Disused Railways

HS2 train parked up at Colnbrook Station

Start / Finish: Site of Staines West Station: The Old Station, Moor Lane, Staines, TW18 4BB
Distance: 22.9 km (14.2 miles)
Elevation: + 99m / -67m. Net +22m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Colne Valley Way, London Loop, Shakespeare’s Way, Celandine Route, South Bucks Way
Other Routes Touched (cycle): Grand Union Canal Towpath, NCN 6, 61
Pubs / Cafes on route: Fat Boys Cafe, Colnbrook (7.8k in), Several as you pass through West Drayton and Yiewsley (~14 km in), Swan and Bottle pub, Uxbridge (18.8k in), Colne Valley Cafe (21 km in)
Maps:
- Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell Map | Thames Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 160
- Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenshead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Staines-upon-Thames, Staines Moor, Stanwell Moor, Poyle, Colnbrook, Harmondsworth Moor, West Drayton, Yiewsley, Cowley, Uxbridge, Denham, Colne Valley Regional Park

This is a short cycle adventure inspired by 3 of Geoff Marshall’s London’s Lost Railways videos. It traces 3 separate disused railways that ran from Staines in Surrey to Denham in Buckinghamshire. Much of the route travels through the Colne Valley Regional Park, an interesting mix of countryside, industry and transport links on the western edge of Greater London. I cycled this route as a part of a 100 km circular tour of the Colne Valley, Chiltern Hills, South Bucks and Windsor. There’s a mix of road and off-road sections so it’s best to take a mountain bike or similar.

Check out Geoff’s videos for each section of the route for more detail on each of the lines and stations.

Line 1: Staines West to West Drayton

The Staines to West Drayton Railway was in existence from 1884 to 1965 and once also connected to the Reading to Waterloo Line at Staines. The Staines West Station building is still intact and now used as offices.

From Staines West Station follow Moor Lane until you reach a footpath on the right hand side just ahead of the A30 Staines Bypass. Follow this path to cross over the old bridge that crosses the River Wraysbury and the route of the old railway. Take a left after the bridge to pass under the A30 and onto Staines Moor. Keep to the south-western edge of the moor and find a gate leading to a bridge in the woods and the route of the old railway. Here you’ll find an information board about the railway and steps up to join the old rail line.

Follow the route of the old railway in a northerly direction to meet the site of the old Yeoveney Halt Station. There’s not much left but you can find some concrete remains in a clearing to the right hand side of the track.

Continue north following the edge of the M25 and River Wraysbury and take a path that passes through Junction 14 of the M25 to reach the western edge of the motorway. Just before you join Horton Road take a track heading south for about 100m to the approximate site of the old Poyle Halt Station. Nothing remains. You’re now also at the most westerly point of Greater London.

Retrace your route back from Poyle Halt to meet Horton Road following it west and then join Poyle Road at the roundabout. Take a right on the next roundabout onto Blackthorne road, following it east to the junction of Blackthorne Crescent where you’ll be at the approximate site of Poyle Estate Halt. As with the previous station, nothing remains.

Retrace your route back down Blackthorne Road and take a right back onto Poyle Road heading north, then a right onto Bath Road. Colnbrook Station can be found on the left hand side of Bath Road just after the junction with Meadowbrook Close. The old building still remains and is now a private house called Station Cottage. After Colnbrook Station the rail line is still in use but now only for cargo and not for passengers.

There was one extra station north of Colnbrook station called Colnbrook Estate Halt. There’s nothing left of it and I couldn’t find a way to get close to the location so we cycled on to West Drayton. To do this continue east along Bath Road over the M25 then take the first track on the left which takes you north to Harmondsworth Moor. Pass under the M4 near the M4/M25 junction and onto a road called The Common. Continue north, then right onto Cricketfield Road, right onto Mill Road, left onto Station Road, right onto Warwick Road where you’ll find West Drayton Station and the end of this section.

Line 2: West Drayton to Uxbridge Vine Street

This section follows the Uxbridge (Vine Street) branch line from West Drayton station. The line ran passenger services from 1884 to 1962 and completely closed in 1979. Today nothing remains of Uxbridge Vine Street Station or Cowley Station, the only other station on the route. You can still find evidence of the line in the shape of streets and some road names.

From West Drayton Station cross over High Street and follow Tavistock Road, following the curve of the old railway. Take a right onto Trout Road over the Grand Union Canal, a left through a path onto Chantry Close then a left onto the A408. Taking a right onto Moorfield Road then take a left onto St Martin Close, a right onto New Peachy Lane and a left onto Peachy Lane. Note that in Geoff’s video he found some alleyways between the houses that traced a closer route to the old line.

Take a left off Peachy Lane onto Kingdom Lane, a cycle path that directly follows the route of the old railway. Follow this for 0.5km to Station Road, near the site of the old Cowley Station. Cross Station Road and continue to follow the old rail route up Cleveland Road, Whitehall Road and Kendal Mews. You’ve now arrived at the busy A4020 (Hillingdon Road) dual carriageway that runs through Uxbridge. The Hertz building on the north side of the A4020 is on the site of the old Vine Street Station.

Line 3: Uxbridge High Street to Denham

From the site of Uxbridge Vine Street Station navigate round the roundabout to pick up Oxford Road to the site of the old Uxbridge High Street Station at 106 Oxford Road. There’s no remains of the old station and the site is now a building for the Buckinghamshire New University.

Geoff’s video on this section describes a walk along the route of the old line that connected Uxbridge to the Chiltern main line (formerly GWR) from 1907 to 1964. Having cycled through Alderglade Nature Reserve and Frays Farm Meadows before I remember it being a tricky ride and best tackled on foot. This time we opted for a more cycle-friendly route to the west of the old line. Timea (wife) and I went back to Uxbridge a week later to walk the true route of the old railway and you read about that in my next post.

From 106 Oxford Road we followed the Grand Union Canal Towpath from the Swan and Bottle pub to the southern entrance of Denham Country Park south of Denham Deep Lock. From here follow the South Bucks Way through the Country Park, Buckinghamshire Golf Course, Denham Village and along The Pyghtle to Denham Station. This is the end point of the route along the 3 disused rail lines.

The full cycle route from Staines West to Denham

The full cycle route: all 3 lines from Staines (south) to Denham (north)

Elevation plan for the full cycle route between Staines West and Denham

Stations on the Staines West to Denham Lines

Displayed in order of the cycle route from Staines West to Denham. Click on each photo to connect to the Wikipedia article for the station. Includes West Drayton and Denham which are still operating stations.