NORTH LONDON THREE BOROUGH CHALLENGE WALK - 21 MILES = ENFIELD, BARNET & HARINGEY

ABOUT THE WALK - I left Enfield one Sunday morning, a little after 8.30 a.m., and began my walk in clear blue skies. Everywhere was quiet as I walked along Church Street and up Windmill Hill. Soon after, I descended to World’s End and met my first dog walker of the day! We remarked at the weather and peacefulness of the
hour before walking our separate ways. Not long after, I walked around Boxers Lake and the Canada Geese were attentive but I had no bread. Road walking brought me to Oakhill Station, where I crossed the road onto the edge of Trent Park.

A bit busier now with people around going for newspapers or dog walking. I pressed on and met another dog walker who confirmed I could walk all the way to Cockfosters along this path - this was one path I had not fully trodden before. At Cockfosters I was back in familiar territory, being on the London Loop and Pymmes Brook Trail. It was soon along Monken Hadley Common and past Jack’s Lake before seeing the Pymmes Brook Trail turn left and begin
its 9 mile journey to Pickett’s Lock - not today, I thought. I pressed on in woodland beside the Common and as I neared Monken Hadley, I purposefully  walked the road to find the village pound. And, there it was, beside the road; I wondered how many passed this way and never realised that such a historical item was here.

Soon after I passed St. Mary the Virgin church and the magnificent Wilbraham Almshouses. Moments later was the Livingstone Cottage. Curving left to Hadley Green Common, I bade farewell to the London Loop and walked on along Barnet High Street to St. John the Baptist church. That's a third of the walk done, I thought. Then along the early part of Wood Street, past the Museum before turning left and descending to the Dollis Brook, and another waymarked walk. Following the path close to the Dollis Brook, I still saw few
people and reached Totteridge Lane. I said good-bye to the Dollis Valley Green Walk and walked upto Barnet House, when suddenly the sky went black and for ten minutes the heavens opened. Good timing, I thought, as I sheltered under the arches here.

I never put on my cagoule, but I walked on in brightening skies along Friern Barnet Lane. Soon coming to the Lawrence Campe Almshouses, built the same year as Wilbraham’s at Monken Hadley, 1612. Not long after was the site of the village pound and Queen Elizabeth Well. While Opposite was St. James church. A few more strides in now hot sunny weather again, I entered Friary Park, a gem, with a Peace Statue. Road walking brought me to the curved Friern Barnet Town Hall, and opposite I descended Colney Heath Road and gained Coppetts Wood Nature Reserve. No one about, apart from
ubiquitous grey squirrel who scampered away as I neared him.

Leaving the reserve was a shock as I crossed the busy North Circular Road, but I was soon back along quiet roads to Muswell Hill and now well in the London Borough of Haringey and over halfway! After a brief descent I entered The Grove with a-cafe and onto Alexandra Palace. The views from here never cease to amaze me, as the whole of London’s skyline is visible. Then a quick loop down to the boating lake and past the fallow deer enclosure and onto Alexandra Palace Station.

Just after I picked up the line of the New River, which would be my companion for the final sections of the walk. Heading north, I soon was walking by the clear water to Palmers Green and Winchmore Hill, and now back in Enfield Borough. Now mid afternoon and still few people about, but as always I was beginning to feel sad. You set off with a goal and keep a steady pace and before you known it you are near the end! On past Bush Hill and the site of Bush Hill House, where Sir Hugh Myddleton, the builder of the New River lived. Then onto the final path along Carr’s lane and down to Enfield Park and
the New River Loop. The shops were shutting in the Palace Garden Shopping Centre as I passed to reach the bus stop and my journey home.

I had walked all the route in sections before and this was the first time ! had joined it altogether. Frankly, I was delighted and impressed, for here in one fell swoop you see the finest countryside the three boroughs have to offer plus a wealth of historical buildings. | did it in early summer when the bluebelis were in full bloom. Now I wait for autumn, to walk it in the golden colours
for every season has its own beauty.

A5. Placed in a plasitc wrap around cover. Signed by John Merrill.

John Merril walk badge and signed certificate for successful walkers.

Names added to the Walkers Roll of Honour page.