WALKING THE RIVER LEE NAVIGATION - END TO END - 28 MILES.

ABOUT THE WALK -

My introduction to “London” canals came as a result of my walk from central London to Walsingham, in Norfolk, following a medieval Pilgrimage route. The River Lee Navigation providing a quiet and easy exit from London’s suburbia. However, I was not prepared for the delightful route the Navigation takes and this has proved a never ending joy. At first, and my first book on the area, covered the Navigation between Ponders End and Hertford, some sixteen miles. Simply, when first looking at the map there seems, because of
“suburbia”, little chance of making interesting circular walks below Ponders End; how wrong I was! So I concentrated on the northern half and did ten fascinating and interesting walks. I then moved on to explore the New River in Hertfordshire, for another book. Next I walked the River Stort Navigation, thinking perhaps four walks but not a book! But, I was proved wrong again and discovered a real gem of a Navigation and did double the number of walks, found absorbing history and made it into a book!

At the back of my mind I kept wondering about the River Lee Navigation and the missing southern half I had not walked. So, one crisp cloudless February day I set off from Limehouse Basin and walked to Enfield Lock. I was stunned at the route of the Navigation and, as always, discovered several ideas for circular walks. The result is this book which completes the River Lee Navigation and at the same time has introduced me to the Regent’s Canal and River Thames, which I am now already walking for another book!

Here is a mixture of walks from Hackney Marsh to the impressive Three Mills area. There is a mini ring to walk - 6 miles - and old rivers to explore and the dock basins on the Isle of Dogs. One final walk, which can be done in stages, is to walk the Navigation from Limehouse Basin to Hertford - 28 miles - truly a walk from a capital city to the capital of Hertfordshire! Canals and navigation's always provide a haven in a metropolis, so set off and explore these historical walks and see what delightful places lie on our doorstep.

Basic route - Limehouse Station (DLR) - Limehouse Basin - Limehouse Cut - Bow Locks - River Lee Navigation - House Mill (Tidal Mill) - Old Ford Lock No. 19 - Hackney Marsh - Lea Bridge - Walthamstow Marsh - Tottenham Lock No. 17 - Stonebridge Lock No.
16 - Pickett's Lock No. 15 - Ponders End Lock No. 14 - Enfield Lock No. 13 - Ordnance Road - Enfield Lock Station.

Maps - O.S. 1:25,000 Explorer Series Nos -173 - London North - covers virtually the whole of the route, apart from the end of the Limehouse Cut and Bow Locks area, which are on Map No. 162.

Start - Limehouse - Docklands Light Railway. End - Enfield Lock Railway Station. (for Liverpool Street Station or Hertford).

Inns - Narrow Street Inn, near Limehouse Basin. Prince of Wales and Ship Aground, Lea Bridge. The Greyhound Inn, Enfield Lock.

Cafe’s - McDonald's, Bow Flyover. Teas near Lee Rowing Club opposite Springfield Marina. Stonebridge Lock. Leaside Teas, Towpath Road, Lee Valley Trading Estate.

Embroidered cloth badge and signed certificate for successful walkers.

Names added to me Walkers Roll of Honour page.