Posts tagged Colne Valley
Walking The Uxbridge To Denham Disused Railway

Walking the line north of Fray’s River

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.

Richard gowerTrek, 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.

More Disused Railway Posts

Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Coal Duty Post, Canal, Railway, Disused Railway, Colne Valley, London, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Walking The Ebury Way Disused Railway

The River Chess at the end of the Ebury Way at Rickmansworth. The hotel in the centre is the site of the old Rickmansworth Church Street Station.

Start: Watford Junction Station, Station Rd, Watford WD17 1EU
Finish: Premier Inn Rickmansworth Hotel, Batchworth Lock House, Rickmansworth, WD3 1JB
Distance: 8.8 km (5.5 miles)
Elevation change: +39m / -61m. Net -22m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Abbey Line Trail, Croxley Green Boundary Walk, Grand Union Canal Towpath
Other routes touched (cycle): Colne Valley Cycle Route, Abbey Way, NCN 6, 61
London Coal Duty Posts: 45, 46
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in Watford and Rickmansworth. On route: café in the Oxhey Activity Park at 3 km in.
Maps:
- London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
- Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenshead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Watford, Watford Junction Station, London Orphan Asylum, River Colne, Ebury Way, Croxley Common Moor, Rickmansworth

The Ebury Way is a walking and cycle path that runs along the course of the old Watford to Rickmansworth branch line. I have cycled it many times as a part of longer trips but it’s a short trail and it always went by too quickly to fully appreciate it. Having recently completed the Abbey Line Trail from St Albans to Watford Junction, it felt right to continue the rail-themed walk to Rickmansworth via the route of the old line.

Source; Wikipedia - creator Cnbrb

The original rail line followed the current route of the Overground service to Watford High Street Station but then continued to the south-west and split into 2 branches, one to the old Croxley Green Station and the other to Rickmansworth. The route branched again with a short section diverting north to Croxley Mills goods station. There’s an image on the Wikipedia page for the Watford & Rickmansworth Railway that shows the different routes.

The start of the Ebury Way is in Riverside Park just south of the old split to Croxley Green Station. It’s impractical, and not a scenic walk, to follow the old rail route to here from either Watford Junction or Watford High Street stations. A better walk is to follow the route of the Abbey Way / NCN 6,61 cycle route that follows the River Colne. From Watford Junction station you can get to this route by retracing the last 1 km of the Abbey Line Trail down Orphanage Road, Radlett Road and Link Road to Radlett Road Playing Fields. From here you can follow the cycle route to the south.

There’s a few things to look out for on this first section of the walk through Watford. At 1.6 km (1 mile) in, just after the huge brick rail bridge crossing the River Colne you can find a great example of one of the old London Coal Duty Posts. This one is a large stone obelisk, originally positioned on the opposite side of the river but repaired and moved to its current position in 1984.

After the Coal Duty Post Obelisk you’ll be in Waterfields Recreation Ground. At the point where the Colne takes a curve to the left you’ll see a metal sculpture of a man about to dive into a pool. The inscription reads: “In the early 1900’s this was the site of a fresh water Lido, an outdoor swimming pool where Watfordonians could dive and swim in the River Colne”. I hope that the river was a lot cleaner then as I wouldn’t want to get into it now.

After another 200m and after crossing under the A411 you’ll cross over Water’s Lane where there’s a similar sculpture, this time of a man leaning out of a window holding a net. The inscription on this one reads: “In the 1900’s houses on this lane were continuously flooded with stories of locals climbing in through their upstairs window from boats. This is how Water Lane got its name”.

As you cross over Water Lane look to the left across the bridge over the River Colne to see another Coal Duty Post, this one is a good example of the distinctive and more common white Type 2 cast iron posts.

For the next kilometer you’ll pass through the retails parks of the east side of Watford. There’s not much to see here until you cross under the large curved viaduct that carries the Overground from Watford High Street to Bushey. After the viaduct you’ll cross over Thomas Sawyer Way, into Oxhey Activity Park and back to the River Colne.

Follow the National Cycle Route 6/61 in an westerly direction next to the River Colne through Oxhey Activity Park, over the A4178 into Riverside Recreation Ground and then into Riverside Park. The route curves through Riverside Park before connecting with the route of the old railway. An Ebury Way Information Board and a Millennium National Cycle Network sign mark the official start of the Ebury Way. You’ll now be 4 km into the walk from Watford Junction station.

Navigation along the Ebury Way is as simple as you would expect from a disused railway and there’s regular signposts along the way. We noticed a lot of litter on the route which spoilt an otherwise pleasant trail.

After 2 km on the rail route (6 km from Watford Junction) you’ll reach the western edge of Croxley Common Moor, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). This is also the point where the branch line to Croxley Mills split off from the Watford to Rickmansworth line. If you pass through the kissing gate into the common you can see the a footpath along the western side of the common that follows the route of the old track.

Continuing along the Ebury Way you’ll have uninspiring light-industrial buildings on your left and Croxley Common Moor on your right. At the eastern end of the moor you’ll pass under the railway bridge that carries the Metropolitan Line between Moor Park and Rickmansworth.

The final 1.5 km, after the railway bridge passes through a series of fishing lakes, and over the Grand Union Canal. The Ebury Way ends with another information board before crossing a bridge over the River Chess. This is a nice spot with barges and quirky moorings. Beyond the barges you’ll see the Premier Inn which is built on the site of the old Rickmansworth Church Street Station.

More Disused Railway Posts

Richard gowerTrek, Railway, Disused Railway, Colne Valley, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment
Walking The Abbey Line Trail

Ver Valley Meadows

The Abbey Line is a 10 km railway branch line connecting St Albans and Watford in Hertfordshire. The Abbey Line Trail follows the route through local countryside following quiet paths in an otherwise busy area. There’s 5 local stations between the start and end points giving several options to break up the walk into smaller sections.

The whole Abbey Line walking route is 15 km and would be a good 1 day hike in good weather. We did it in the winter and broke it up into 2 sections of around 8.5 km using Bricket Wood Station to access the start & end points.

As well as being a good spot to cut the trail in half, Bricket Wood also marks the end of the River Ver Trail. If you have already completed the River Ver Trail you could skip the first section and complete the Abbey Line from Bricket Wood to Watford Junction.

If you are using the train to return to the start point of your walks, be careful to check the timetable. Trains were running once an hour when we walked it and we missed one by a minute.

Section 1: St Albans Abbey Station to Bricket Wood

Start: St Albans Abbey Station, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2AY
Finish: Bricket Wood Station, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 3PE
Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 miles)
Elevation change: +43m / -45m. Net -2m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): River Ver Trail,
Other routes touched (cycle): The Alban Way, NCN 6, 61
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in St. Albans, The Overdraft in Park Street (4 km in), Moor Mill Beefeater (6k in), The Gate pub is near the end of the route at Bricket Wood
Map: OS Explorer Map (182) St. Albans and Hatfield
Links: St Albans, St Albans Abbey Station, The Abbey Line, Abbey Line Community Partnership, Park Street, How Wood, Bricket Wood, Bricket Wood Station

 

The start of the Abbey Line at St Albans City Station will be familiar if you’ve done other walks in the area. This is also the end of the Alban Way, a disused rail line, now a walking and cycle path, that connected St Albans to Hatfield. Verulamium Park opposite also marks the start of the final section of the River Ver Trail connecting Kensworth with Bricket Wood.

When planning this trip my first thought was to skip the first section and start at Bricket Wood. The Abbey Line Trail follows the same route as the River Ver Trail for this first section and I initially wasn’t keen to do it again. However, my River Ver walk was an overnight Summer Solstice trip and much of it was in the dark so I decided to re-walk the section in better light. It’s a very pretty and interesting walk so I’m glad I did it again to take in the parts I missed the first time.

From St Albans Abbey Station the trail takes a right to follow the busy Holywell Hill road towards the city centre. After less than 100m you reach the bridge over the River Ver and can take a right onto the river-side footpath on the south side of the river. From here navigation is straightforward as the trail follows close to the river and is well-signed with either Abbey Line Trail or River Ver Trail stickers.

After 1km you’ll pass under the old railway bridge that carries the Alban Way over the River Ver before the old line takes a curve into St Albans City Station.

After 3km the trail passes under the A414 North Orbital Road and through the Ver Valley Meadows. Be careful here as the meadows can be very wet and you might, as we did, have to stay close to the eastern edge of the field to keep dry.

After the Ver Valley Meadows the trail joins the A5183 between Park Street and How Wood. This gives you your first chance to cut the trip into a shorter section and return by train. Unless the weather is really bad or you’re up for a very short trip, it’s worth continuing though. As you walk down the A5183 keep an eye out on the left hand side to see the remains of an embankment where a the Park Street Branch Line went over the road. This was a short section of track that connected the Abbey Line with the Borehamwood to Harpenden line connecting at Napsbury. Another clue to this old track is in the name of Branch Road which you’ll pass on the right before the next bridge over the Ver.

When you reach the bridge over the Ver leave the A5183 and take a right to follow the footpath on the south side of the river. Continue following the trail, passing under the M25 around 1 km later. About 1.5km from the M25 tunnel you’ll reach a bend in Drop Lane as it diverts north away from the River Ver. This marks the end of this first section of the Abbey Line Trail and the end of the River Ver Trail. Continue up Drop Lane for an extra 1km to reach Bricket Wood Station for the return trip back to St Albans Abbey.

Section 2: Bricket Wood to Watford Junction Station

Start: Bricket Wood Station, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 3PE
Finish: Watford Junction Station, Station Rd, Watford WD17 1EU
Distance: 8.3 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation change: +46m / -56m. Net -10m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): River Ver Trail, Hertfordshire Way,
Other routes touched (cycle): Colne Valley Cycle Route, NCN 6, 61
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in Watford
Maps:
- St Albans & Hatfield Map | Hemel Hempstead & Welwyn Garden City | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 182
- London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Bricket Wood, Bricket Wood Station, Munsden House, Munsden Estate, London Orphan Asylum, Watford, Watford Junction Station

 

From Bricket Wood Station cross over Station Road and follow Drop Lane back to the Abbey Line Trail at the River Ver. At the bend, take a right to follow the path on the right along the Ver in a south-westerly direction. You’ll reach the confluence with the River Colne and the end of the Ver. The rest of the Abbey Line Trail follows closely to the River Colne until Radlett Playing fields in Watford before taking a sharp turn up to Watford Junction Station.

Navigation is as straightforward as Section 1. The main thing that you need to look out for is where the tail takes a sharp right away from the Colne just after the confluence with the Ver. This takes you across the field and up a small hill where it takes a left to follow the direction of the Colne at a higher elevation.

Much of the first half of this section is through the grounds of the Munsden Estate. It’s a well-maintained private estate with several trails crossing it. As you traverse it you’ll start to see the taller buildings of Watford in the distance. After the estate you’ll cross over the M1 on a bridge then over the busy A41 Colne Way. We were able to cross straight over the A41 in a gap in traffic. Be careful though as it’s a very busy road so it’s safer to cross at the lights just to the north-west.

After the A41 the trail follows the Colne through the outskirts of Watford passing though Knutsford Playing fields. You can keep to the water’s edge here but it can be muddy after wet weather so an alternative is to walk through the middle of the playing fields or along Radlett Road.

Once you get to the bridge over the Colne at Link Road you’ll leave the Colne to head uphill to Watford Junction Station via Orphanage Road. Look out for buildings of the former London Orphan Asylum on the right of the road. These are now private homes.

The trail ends at Watford Junction Station where you can catch the train back to St Albans. If you’re not ready to finish walking, you can pick up the Ebury Way, a disused rail line that connected Watford Junction to Rickmansworth.

Richard gowerTrek, Railway, Disused Railway, Colne Valley, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment
Walking Trails in The Colne Valley

The Colne Valley Regional park is a fascinating mix of countryside and industry to the west of London. As the name suggests, it follows the River Colne and stretches from Rickmansworth in the north to Staines in the south. Rickmansworth is where the Colne picks up the waters carried by the Chess, Gade and Ver from the central Chilterns. Exploring further down the valley you’ll find rivers, streams canals and lakes before the waters reach the Thames at Staines.

There’s a lot of industry too, with the park cut through with the M25, M4, M40, train and tube lines and, under construction, HS2. For those, like the Colne Valley Landscape Partnership who protect the park, it’s a never-ending mission. For unspoilt beauty, the nearby Chiltern Hills AONB is the place to go. For interesting walks, diverse landscapes and accessibility to London, there’s a lot to do in the Colne Valley.

Living nearby and needing to stay local during the Covid lockdowns, I spent a lot of time exploring the Colne Valley Trails. Most are medium-distance point-to-point trails that can be completed in short sections or one long summer day. Although we had the benefit of use of 2 cars for our trips, the start and end of most of the trails or sections can also be accessed by public transport.

Here’s the map of the routes with links to each below.

The Trails

  • Beeches Way. Runs for 27 km from Cookham to West Drayton. The Shakespeare’s Way follows the Beeches Way through the Colne Valley

  • Celandine Route. Runs for 19 km along the River Pinn from Pinner to the Grand Union Canal at Yiewsley

  • Chess Valley Walk. Runs for 16 km along the River Chess from Chesham to Rickmansworth.

  • Colne Valley Trail. Runs for 33 km along the River Colne from Rickmansworth to Staines. The southern parts of the trail are called the Colne Valley Way.

  • Grand Union Canal Towpath. Runs for 220 km from Birmingham to London.

  • Hillingdon Trail. Runs for 32 km from Springwell Lock on the Grand Union to Cranford Park near Heathrow.

  • London Loop. Runs for 242 km in a circle around London.

  • Slough Arm Canal. Runs for 10km from Slough to Yiewsley.

  • Thames Path. Runs for 298 km from Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Estuary, east of London.

Richard gowerTrek, Cycle, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Canal, Thames, Berkshire, Surrey, Middlesex, London, EnglandComment
Walking The Colne Valley Trail and the Colne Valley Way
IMG_4007.jpg

The Colne Valley Trail runs the length of the Colne Valley Regional Park from Rickmansworth in the North to the River Thames at Staines at the Southern End. The Southern Sections are sign-posted the Colne Valley Way although it’s effectively one continuous trail. There’s also a spur connecting Langley Park to The Grand Union Canal at Cowley Lock.

We completed the first 2 sections from Rickmansworth to Yiewsley in Spring 2020. The bridge over the M4 was currently closed at the time due to roadworks and we completed the 3rd section in July 2021 when the bridge re-opened.

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.

SECTION 1 - RICKMANSWORTH TO UXBRIDGE

Start: Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Frogmoor Lane, Rickmansworth WD3 1NB
Finish: The Swan and Bottle, Oxford Rd, Uxbridge UB8 1LZ
Distance: 11.5 km (7.1 miles)
Elevation change: +38m / -50m. Net -12m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Grand Union Canal Towpath, Hillingdon Trail, London Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, 61
London Coal Duty Posts: 60
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: The Cafe in the Park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome, The Coy Carp at Harefield Lock
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Colne Valley Regional Park, Rickmansworth, Uxbridge

If you’re arriving by public transport, Ricksmansworth Station is a short walk to the start of the trail. If you’re driving the Car Park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome is best. For either start option I recommend the Cafe in The Park at the Aquadrome for an amazing coffee and cake combo to get you going.

This first section of the walk is very easy to navigate as it pretty much sticks to the towpath of the Grand Union Canal. It’s also very well signposted so the minor diversions off the towpath are unlikely to get you lost.

The end of this section at Uxbridge also offers many parking options and the canal is a short walk from Uxbridge Station. Here you can connect back to Rickmansworth on the Metropolitan Line, changing at Harrow-on-the Hill.

SECTION 2 - UXBRIDGE TO Yiewsley

Start: The Swan and Bottle, Oxford Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1LZ
Finish: Trout Lane, Yiewsley, UB7 7FD
Distance: 6.1 km (3.8 miles)
Elevation change: +17m / -23m. Net -6m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Grand Union Canal Towpath, Hillingdon Trail, London Loop, Beeches Way, Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, 61
London Coal Duty Posts: 65, 66
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: The General Eliott, 1 St John's Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2UR
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Colne Valley Regional Park, Uxbridge, Yiewsley

From the Swan and Bottle continue South along the canal towpath for ~1.25 km, looking out for signs diverting off the the right (East). The path will take you through a residential area and an unattractive industrial estate for ~500m. This is a minor inconvenience to get you to a much more pleasant narrow stretch of park running South next to the River Colne. After ~1 km you’ll reach the B470 Iver Lane Take a left onto the road then a right onto Old Mill Lane. Follow this for ~1 km to Little Britain Lake. Old Mill Lane runs parallel to the River Frays with a highlight being the Old Mill building which was once abandoned and is now apartments.

At the end of Old Mill Lane turn right, following Packet Boat Lane to the footpath that follows the River Colne. Take a left at the path junction and follow the River Colne South. After ~500m you’ll cross the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal and will join the Beeches Way. Continue for another ~500m watching out for the footpath junction. The Beeches Way continues onwards to Yiewsley but the Colne Valley Trail splits off the the right (South). Given the M4 Old Slade Lane bridge closure further South, this was the end of the trail for us for now. We’ll be back later to continue on to Staines.

SECTION 3 - YIEWSLEY TO STAINES

Start: Trout Lane, Yiewsley, UB7 7FD
Finish: Lammas Recreation Ground, 115 Wraysbury Road, Staines, TW18 4UA
Distance: 15.3 km (9.5 miles)
Elevation change: +44m / -55m. Net -11m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Ye Olde George or The Ostrich in Colnbrook High Street
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Colne Valley Regional Park, Yiewsley, Colnbrook, Stanwell Moor, Staines Moor, Staines-upon-Thames

We were hoping to return to the Trail later in 2020, but the M4 Old Slade Lane bridge didn’t re-open until July 2021. As soon as we got confirmation that there was pedestrian access across it we headed back to Yiewsley. There’s good parking and public transport options in Yiewsley, all about 1 km from re-joining the Trail at Trout Lane.

This section has quite a different feel from the Grand-Union based sections 1 and 2. From Trout Lane you soon cross under the GWR mainline and into Thorney Park. Here you’ll find one of 3 motorway crossings as the Trail navigates around the unloved western end of Heathrow airport. After crossing the A4 you’ll reach Colnbrook, an old village that’s still pleasant in parts but stranded in an island surrounded by the motorways and airport. This is a good place for a drink and a rest or as an end point if you want to split this longer section in 2.

Leaving Colnbrook, you’re now following Colne Valley Way sign rather than the Colne Valley Trail. From Horton the route leaves the Colne Brook stream, heading east past the top end of the Wraysbury Reservoir and over the M25. Here you’ll join the River Colne, following its route through Stanwell Moor, Staines Moor and the western edge of Staines. Be careful after the M25 crossing as the Colne Valley Way signs disappear and you’ll need to rely on a map or GPX route.

The route ends at the Thames near the café at the Llamas recreation ground. From here it’s a 0.5 km walk along the river to Staines Town Centre.

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Next sections of the London Loop:

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Canal, Coal Duty Post, Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey, EnglandComment
Chiltern Railways Walking Routes

Having walked and cycled a lot of the Chilterns over the past few years I’ve become much more familiar with its landscape. I discovered the valleys in my cycling trips along the Chiltern Rivers and the high points while bagging the Trig Points. With a need to find more short local walks during the Covid Lockdowns my attention turned to finding the rail lines and stations in the AONB. All of the walks listed below the map are around 10k (~6 miles) with a start and finish at a Chiltern rail station. This list covers all stations inside the Chiltern Hills AONB, shaded in green on the map. There’s also a selection of walks covering stations in the “Greater Chiltern Area”, shaded in peach, which covers the area bounded by the north end of the AONB and the Rivers Thames, Lea and Colne.

Rail-based circular walks in the Chiltern Hills AONB

Where all or most of the walk is within the boundary of the AONB

Rail-based circular walks in the Greater Chilterns Area

Where all or most of the walk is outside of the boundary of the AONB

Rail-based point to point walks in the Greater Chilterns Area

Rail-based cycle trips in the Greater Chilterns Area

Richard gowerTrek, Canal, Railway, Disused Railway, Underground, Thames, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment
Walks Along The Thames Path National Trail
Maidenhead Bridge

Maidenhead Bridge

I’ve spent a lot of my life living close to the Thames and have done countless walks, runs and rides along it. It’s also the first National Trail that I’ve completed end to end. That was a cycle trip and, as my blog post on it describes, it’s best discovered on foot.

More recently I’ve been returning to the trail to do shorter circular walks containing stretches of the Thames Path. So far it’s been mostly focused on the Chilterns section, but I’ll extend towards the outer ends later. Here’s the links to the walks that I’ve done so far. They’re in order of closest to the source first.

From The Source to The Chilterns: Kemble to Wallingford

Circular Walks including the Thames Path

The Chilterns Section: Wallingford to Staines-upon-Thames


Circular Walks including the Thames Path

The London Section: Staines-upon-Thames to The Thames Barrier

Walks Crossing or Ending at The Thames Path

Richard gowerTrek, Thames, Chilterns, Colne Valley, National Trust, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Middlesex, London, EnglandComment
Chiltern Walks: Heronsgate and Bottom Wood
View east from Philipshill Wood

View east from Philipshill Wood

Start & Finish: The Stag, Long Lane, Heronsgate, WD3 5BT
Distance: 6.5 km (4 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 82m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Chiltern Heritage Trail, South Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trail Milton Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Stag, Heronsgate
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Heronsgate, Philipshill Woods, Newlands Park

A short walk in the eastern Chilterns, touching parts of our previous walk from Chalfont St Giles to Newlands Park. We started from The Stag pub in Heronsgate, but Chorleywood station is not far and only adds a short distance if you’re coming in by train. 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.

The Chiltern Way section of the route follows Old Shire Lane along the edge of Philipshill Wood. This ancient trackway is “is thought to mark part of the boundary between the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia” (Wikipedia).

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Chiltern Walks: Chalfont St Giles and Newlands Park
Fields at eastern end of Newlands Park

Fields at eastern end of Newlands Park

Start & Finish: Chalfont St. Giles Village Centre, HP8 4QF
Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 75m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Chiltern Heritage Trail, South Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trail Milton Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Chalfont St. Giles Village Centre
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Chalfont St Giles, Newlands Park, Philipshill Wood, Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Gott’s Monument, River Misbourne

This trip was both part of our River Misbourne Circulars of ~10 km. The River Misbourne runs from its source at Great Missenden, to Denham where it joins the Colne. This one starts at the village centre in Chalfont St Giles where there’s several pubs and cafes for a pre or post walk rest. 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.

From the village centre you’ll follow the Chiltern Way in an easterly direction over fields, across the A413 then up a steep hill. Soon you’ll pass the picturesque H2 construction site for one of the Chiltern tunnel vents. Continue along the Chiltern Way as it enters the Newlands Park Estate, curving around its perimeter.

Approximately 3 km into the trip you’ll meet a path junction in Philipshill Wood. Instead of taking a left turn to continue on the Chiltern Way, continue straight on, keeping to the left of the boundary of Newlands Park. After ~350m take a right hand path (Old Shire Lane), again keeping Newlands Park on your right. After ~600 metres, take a right hand path back into Newlands Park and follow the path toward then over Gorelands Lane. Continue in a south-westerly direction through farmland and into the Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy.

To the right of the main gate of the Centre for Epilepsy, look out for Gott’s Obelisk. According to the plaque, it was “… built in 1785 by Sir William Gott who lived at nearly Newlands Park, it was a marker to George III his hunting partner. Once struck by lightning it is half it’s original height”.

From the monument, take Misbourne Avenue down to the A413, take a left and briefly follow the main road until you see a footpath sign on the right. Carefully cross the road and take the path across the River Misbourne until you meet the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Turn right onto the trail and follow it back to Chalfont St. Giles.

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
London's Coal Duty Posts

Having set myself the challenge to visit all Greater London High Points and all Trig Pillars in London, I’m going one step further. This is my new mission to visit all of the over 200 London Coal Duty Posts that are still standing. If you’re not familiar with what these are, Martin Nail’s website is the best place to start.

As of the January 2021 I’ve visited 26 posts and plaques on previous walking and cycling trips. With the Covid lockdown looking like it will go on for it a bit, it may take me a while longer to visit the rest.

In the meantime, here’s some trips that visit some of the posts and my more-or-less accurate map of the Coal Post Boundary

More London posts

Richard gowerCycle, Trek, Canal, Railway, Thames, London, England, Middlesex, Colne Valley, Coal Duty PostComment
Chiltern Walks: Denham Golf Club and Bakers Wood
Where the Misbourne meets the Chiltern Line and M25

Where the Misbourne meets the Chiltern Line and M25

Start & Finish: Denham Golf Club Station, Denham, Uxbridge, UB9 5EL
Distance: 4.9 km (3.0 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 67 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Denham, Denham Golf Club Station, Baker’s Wood

This trip was both part of our River Misbourne Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Misbourne runs from its source at Great Missenden, to Denham where it joins the Colne. There’s much more interesting, less-motorwayey walks on the Misbourne so this is probably one for the completists. 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.

From Denham Golf Club Station, follow Station Approach and the imaginatively named Middle Road and Side Road south to the Community Centre. Continue further south on a footpath along a private farm road, crossing the Misbourne. The path climbs steeply up through woods and onto Broken Gate Lane, the main road in Bakers Wood. When the lane meets Red Hill take a right and find the gate into Caps Wood. By keeping to the main path through the wood you’ll pass a Thames Water plant on the right and come out onto a noisy, ugly layby on the A413 within sight of the M25 fly-over. This isn’t a great part of the walk but it’s soon over when you take the footpath into the fields on the right before the M25.

The footpath runs parallel to the motorway for ~600 metres, crossing over the Misbourne on a narrow wooden footbridge. The area at the end of the bridge was flooded when we were there so we had to scale a farm fence to avoid a soaking. Not far along from here you’ll pass under the intersection of the Chiltern Rail line and the M25 where the Misbourne flows under both in a tunnel. After the bridges the footpath start to curve round to the right (east) and up a hill to Over The Misbourne Road. Continue along the road marveling at the oversized houses before turning right onto Slade Oak Lane. This will take you back down to Denham Golf Club station. It’s a narrow road with no pavement but fair quiet and safe enough if you watch and listen out for cars.

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Railway, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Chiltern Walks: Denham Village and Country Park
Old Mill, Denham

Old Mill, Denham

Start & Finish: Denham Station, Denham, Uxbridge, UB9 5ES
Distance: 4.4 km (2.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 20m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): none
Pubs / Cafes on route: Colne Valley Cafe at the Colne Valley Regional Park Visitors’ Centre, plus 3 pubs in Denham Village
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Denham, Denham Station, Denham Country Park, Denham Place

This trip was both part of our River Misbourne Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Misbourne runs from its source at Great Missenden, to Denham where it joins the Colne. Although it’s outside of the Chiltern Hills AONB, I’ve included it in my Chiltern Walks collection as it connects two of the Chiltern rivers. 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.

To start this walk, exit from the south side of Denham station and take The Phygtle to Denham Village. The path ends at the gates of Denham Place where we met a couple of staff about the meaning of Phygtle. We were told that it means pig-tail, which sounds great but he was probably making it up. The only other definition that I found for the name was that it’s an old English word for a small plot of land.

At the end of The Phygtle, turn right and follow Village Road until it meets Old Mill Road at the Misbourne. Take a left off the road and onto the South Bucks Way footpath. Follow this across the golf course, past the Colne Valley Park Visitors Centre, over Denham Court Drive and into Denham Country Park. From the car park take the north-eastern path that curves round to the north between the River Colne and the Grand Union Canal.

Although I’d been a regular visitor to the Country Park, I’d mainly used it as a base to explore the Grand Union. This was the first time that I’d walked through the interior of the park. It’s a lovely, quiet spot in an otherwise busy area. It was also extremely wet when we were there giving us an unexpected adventure of avoiding the puddle/lakes that had taken over much of the path.

Normally this route would curve round to the west on a path running parallel to the railway. A bridge over the Colne was closed at the time so we had to double back and take a diversion along the Grand Union instead (see below for details). The best ways to check the state of the bridge in advance are to either visit the Country Park website or to see if there’s a Footpath Closed sign at the other end of the path near Denham Station when you start the trip.

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Diversion

Start & Finish: Denham Station, Denham, Uxbridge, UB9 5ES
Distance: 6.0 km (3.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 20m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Bucks Way, Grand Union Canal Towpath, Colne Valley Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, 61
Pubs / Cafes on route: Colne Valley Cafe at the Colne Valley Regional Park Visitors’ Centre, plus 3 pubs in Denham Village
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East

With the River Colne footbridge closed, the best diversion is to leave the Country Park south of the bridge and walk north along the Grand Union Canal. This adds an extra 1.6 km / 1 mile to the overall trip length but no extra elevation. The main advantage of the diversion is that you get to see the old brick rail bridge as it crosses the canal. The main downside is that you also get to see the destruction of the HS2 works as it rips up the area a bit further along. When you reach the first road bridge, leave the canal onto Moorhall Road and head south-west back toward Denham. It’s a busy, unattractive road, especially with the HS2 works, but it’s safe enough with a pavement. Turn left onto Savay Lane then right onto the South Bucks Way and you’re back onto the Phygtle toward Denham Station.

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Railway, Buckinghamshire, England, MiddlesexComment
Chiltern Walks: Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter
Gerrards Cross Golf Club

Gerrards Cross Golf Club

Start & Finish: Gerrards Cross Station, Station Approach, Gerrards Cross, SL9 8PL
Distance: 6.3 km (3.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 49m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Chalfont St Peter Village Centre and Gerrards Cross Town Centre
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Gerrards Cross, Gerrards Cross Station, Chalfont St Peter

This trip was both part of our River Misbourne Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Misbourne runs from its source at Great Missenden, to Denham where it joins the Colne.

This is the first of a set of shorter routes at the southern end of the Misbourne. The open fields of the upper part of the valley now make way for residential areas, roads and golf courses. It’s also the part where the river meets the Chiltern Line connecting Gerrards Cross, Denham Gold Club and Denham with London. 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.

From Gerrards Cross station take the footpath that runs parallel to the railway in a north-westerly direction. At Bull Lane you can get a good view of the railway cutting and the station. Turn right onto Bull Lane and continue north through footpaths and residential streets to Gold Hill Baptist Church. You are now at the top end of Chalfont St Peter. Descend via Gold Hill East onto Market Place until you reach the small roundabout in the village centre. Watch out for the several Heritage Plaques around the town that show old photos and information about the village.

From the village centre roundabout take a left onto high street and go through the A413 underpass. This comes out at the Chalfont St Peter Youth Centre wher you’ll take a right to follow a path that runs parallel to the A413 and the Misbourne. Just after the path joins Woodside Hill take a footpath on the left through Gerrards Cross Golf Club. On the far side of the golf course the path rejoins the Misbourne through Round Copse. You’ll soon meet a T-junction and a bridge which is as far as you can follow the Misbourne until it crosses under the M25. Take a right here and leave the river behind you as you walk east back to the A413. Cross over the A413, taking care here as its a busy dual carriageway. Once across follow a footpath that runs between back gardens, over Packhorse Road and onto Orchehill Avenue. When Orchehill Avenue curves to the right take the footpath on the left and follow it back to Gerrards Cross Station.

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Railway, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Chiltern Walks: Rickmansworth and Chorleywood
Cows grazing on Chorleywood Common

Cows grazing on Chorleywood Common

Start & Finish: Rickmansworth Station, WD3 1QY
Alternative start with car parking at: Chorleywood Common, WD3 5EG
Distance: 9.4 km (5.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 100m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chess Valley Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): none
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Black Horse Pub, Chorleywood Common
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Rickmansworth, Rickmansworth Station, River Chess, Chorleywood

This trip was both part of our River Chess Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Chess runs from its source at Pednor, near Chesham, to Rickmansworth where it joins the Colne. The Chess Valley Walk is a point-to-point trail along the course of the river from Chesham to Rickmansworth stations. 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.

From Rickmansworth station the route follows the first (or last!) 4 kilometres of the Chess Valley Trail. The confluence with the River Colne is to the south of the station and you can pass over it on the Rickmansworth Three Rivers Circular walk. After the M25 crossing you’ll leave the Chess Valley Walk and continue up Solesbridge Lane to Chorleywood Common. Solesbridge Lane is quite narrow with no pavement so a diversion around Chess Way and Wyatt’s Road is recommended. Once over the A404 keep to the paths alongside Dog Kennel Lane until you reach the rail line. Footpaths through the woods to the south side of the rail line will take you back to Rickmansworth.

Richard gowerTrek, Railway, Underground, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment
Cycling The River Ash and Thames Path Circular
The underwhelming source of the River Ash as it splits from the Colne on Staines Moor

The underwhelming source of the River Ash as it splits from the Colne on Staines Moor

Part of the Chiltern Rivers Series
River start: Splits from the Colne on Staines Moor
River end: Confluence with the Thames at Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
River length: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Cycle Route Start & Finish: Parking places at intersection of Moor Lane and Colne Valley Trail, Staines, TW18 4YY
Cycle Route Distance: 32.8 km (20.3 miles)
Cycle Route Elevation change: + / - 87 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Colne Valley Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
London Coal Duty Posts: 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several including The Ferry Coffee Shop, Shepperton TW17 9LQ
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: River Ash, Staines, Staines Moor, Shepperton, Walton-on-Thames, Desborough Island, Hammertons Ferry

In the latest of my Chiltern Rivers Cycle Rides I explored the River Ash at the Southern end of the Colne Valley Regional Park. The Ash splits off from the River Colne next to the A30 Staines bypass North of the town and follows a South-Easterly direction to meet the Thames at Walton-on-Thames. Much of the route is hidden from public access so a cycle or walking trip of the Ash is one for the completists only. That definitely describes me so I had to do it. The reward for tackling it is the return route to Staines via the Thames Path.

The best place to start (if you’re driving there) is some free parking space on Moor Lane opposite the path to Staines Moor. Following this path you’ll pass over the Wraysbury River, the Staines Rivers Aqueduct and the rail line. You’ll need to use the A30 bridge to cross over the River Colne where you’ll find the point where the Ash splits on the Eastern bank. From here you can follow the Ash on a footpath for ~300 into a housing estate. For the next 4 km you won’t see the river as it keeps close to the A308 and cycling options zig-zag through residential areas of North Staines. You could cycle on the A308 to stay closer to the river and shave off some distance, but it’s a very busy road and you won’t see the river anyway.

The Ash, the A308 and the cycle route all come together at the Fordbridge Roundabout. Here the Ash takes a sharp turn right to the South and curves round the Queen Mary Reservoir through Laleham. The best cycle option is to follow the B377 Ashford Road then the B376 Shepperton Road. At Shepperton you have the choice of continuing along the B376 or taking a meandering route through Littleton, Shepperton and Upper Haliford to stay closer to the river.

The confluence with the Thames is tucked away behind a small island. You can get there by taking a private residential road called The Creek off Fordingbridge Road. A rickety wooden bridge stands over the confluence marking the end of the Ash part of the trip.

To return to Staines, go back to Fordingbridge Road and follow it West to the A244 and follow that onto Walton Bridge. Cross over the bridge and take the Thames Path back to Staines. I added an extra 1 km to the trip by taking a diversion along the perimeter paths of Desborough Island. One of the highlights of the trip is taking the small Hammertons ferry to the North side of the Thames. Check that it’s running before you go though as you’ll add a few extra km to the trip to find the nearest alternative crossing by bridge.

When you arrive back at Staines take the B376 heading North away from Staines Bridge. Take a right onto Moor Lane and continue for ~500m back to the parking spot.

Blue = course of the River Ash, Red = circular cycle route

Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Colne Valley, Thames, Surrey, Middlesex, London, England, Coal Duty PostComment
Chiltern Walks: Rickmansworth Three Rivers Circular
Salter’s Cut, Rickmansworth

Salter’s Cut, Rickmansworth

Start & Finish: Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Frogmoor Lane, Rickmansworth WD3 1NB
Distance: 11.4 km (7 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 59 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Rickmansworth Aquadrome Woodland Trail, Grand Union Canal Towpath, Colne Valley Trail, Hillingdon Trail, Ebury Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, 61
London Coal Duty Posts: 59, 62
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Cafe in the Park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Cafe @ Lock 81 (WD3 1JJ)
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Rickmansworth, Ebury Way

This week’s walk was a return to the source of some of our recent Colne Valley trips. In this short circular you’ll pass by the start of the Colne Valley and Hillingdon Trails and the confluence of both the rivers Chess and Gade with the Colne. Throw in a few Coal Duty Posts and a disused railway too and it’s a pretty geeky Chiltern trail. 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.

If you’re driving the best place to start is Rickmansworth Aquadrome which has a large free car park. If you’re coming in by train, it’s a 1 km walk from Rickmansworth station to the Aquadrome.

From the Aquadrome Car Park follow the Bury Lake Circular Walk round the southern and western edges of the lake. At the north-western corner take a left and follow the path along the northern edge of Stocker’s Lake. After ~2m from the start you’ll reach Springwell Lane. We took a right here to find the Coal Duty Post at Drayton Ford bridge before returning back. If you can live without the Coal Post excitement, just turn left onto Springwell Lane, reducing the total trip length by ~500m.

Continue South along Springwell Lane to meet the Grand Union Canal at Springwell Lock. Here’s you’ll meet the Colne Valley Trail and the start of the Hillingdon Trail. Follow signs for the Hillingdon Trail over the canal and through farmland uphill to Hill End Road. Turn left here, leaving the Hillingdon Trail and walk north along Springwell Lane, taking a footpath on the right as Springwell Lane curves to the left. Follow this footpath north for ~2 km to Stocker’s Farm. You’ll pass a well-preserved Coal Post about half way along this path. Continue north through Stocker’s Farm to reach the Grand Union Canal at Stocker Lock. Cross over the bridge to the north bank of the canal, to the site of another Coal Duty post on the towpath on the north west Corner of the bridge.

From Stocker Lock follow the Grand Union Canal towpath north east. Soon you’ll pass the gate to the Aquadrome Car Park. This gives you the option of making this a shorter route or pausing for a rest at the Cafe in the Park. An alternative place for a rest is the Cafe at Lock 81 further along the canal. Continuing on the Grand Union, you’ll reach an old railway bridge ~2 km from Stocker Lock. Leave the canal at the bridge by taking the steps up to the Ebury Way. This is a walking and cycling trail that follows the old rail line between Rickmansworth and Watford. I’d previously cycled the whole length en route to find the Middlesex County Top at Bushy Heath.

After leaving the Grand Union take a left onto the Ebury Way, following it back to Rickmansworth. On this stretch of the Ebury Way you’ll pass the confluence of both the River Gade and the Chess as they join the Colne.

Cross over the roundabout and follow a path to the left of the A404 Riverside Drive for ~500m. Before you reach another large roundabout take a left into the playground and follow the footpath over the River Colne and back into the Aquadrome. Follow the path in either direction around Batchworth Lake to return the the car park.

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Canal, Disused Railway, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, London, England, Coal Duty Post Comments
Walking The Hillingdon Trail
Yeading Brook near Northolt

Yeading Brook near Northolt

The Hillingdon Trail is a ~20 mile walking route from Springwell Lock near Maple Cross to Cranford Park near Heathrow Airport. It was another local route that I’d had on the back burner for later and decided to try out as the country was emerging from the Covid lockdown. Hillingdon is the closest London borough to us and I’d only ever visited busy parts of it so had never associated it with nice country walking. As it turned out it took us through some beautiful parts of the area that we’ll be returning to for other walks soon.

SECTION 1 - Springwell Lock To Ruislip Lido

Start: Parking spaces at Springwell Lane, Harefield, Uxbridge UB9 6PG
Finish: Car park at Ruislip Lido, Reservoir Road, Ruislip HA4 7TY
Distance: 10.2 km (6.4 miles)
Elevation change: +143m / -135m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Grand Union Canal Towpath, The London Loop, Colne Valley Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, 61
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: The Water's Edge, Reservoir Road, Ruislip HA4 7TY (end of route).
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Hillingdon, Harefield, ANZAC Memorial, Ruislip Lido

We had already passed the official start of the trail at Springwell Lock a few weeks ago on the Colne Valley Trail. This stretch of the Grand Union Canal has a lot of trails passing through it and is especially well sign-posted. As we had covered the first 2 km many times before, we decided to start this section a bit further South at Harefield Locks. This is the point where the trail diverts off from the Grand Union and Colne Valley Trail, heading South East.

The whole trail is well sign-posted either with traditional metal arrow footpath signs or short wooden posts with HT marked on them. We were also following a GPS route but found that there were some inconsistencies. All of these were pretty minor and any diversions would come back together pretty quickly. I recommend not completely trusting the signs but take a GPS route or marked-up map too.

From the Grand Union the trail ascends through fields up to Harefield Village before heading back into undulating countryside. As you leave Church Hill Road in Harefield, take a moment to visit the ANZAC Memorial by St Mary’s Church. From here the rest of this section takes you through Bayslip Woods and Ruislip Woods, ending at Ruislip Lido.

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SECTION 2 - Ruislip Lido To Yeading Brook Meadows

Start: Car park at Ruislip Lido, Reservoir Road, Ruislip HA4 7TY
Finish: On street parking near Yeading Brook Meadows, Hayes, Northolt, UB4 9JA
Distance: 9.8 km (6 miles)
Elevation change: +29m / - 53m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Celandine Route, Willow Tree Wander, Dog Rose Ramble,
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: Home Bar & Kitchen, 16 High Road, Ickenham, Uxbridge UB10 8LJ
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford
Links: Hillingdon, Ruislip Lido, River Pinn, Yeading Brook, RAF Northolt, Yeading, Yeading Brook Meadows

Following the mostly wooded Section 1, the trail now enters residential areas of Ruislip and Yeading. From Ruislip Lido, the trail heads roughly South through housing, re-joining the countryside near the River Pinn. Watch out for signs here as we took a wrong turn immediately after crossing the Pinn and started following the Celandine Route.

Once back on track we crossed what were once quiet meadows and have now become a building site for HS2. At the time of writing there is still a fenced off path through the site. Check before you attempt this section as the building will go on for years and may be diverted in future. Once through the building site you’ll cross under the existing GWR mainline and into West Ruislip. After some more housing you’ll cross over the Metropolitan underground line and back into the countryside.

With West Ruislip behind you, the trail curves round to the Western perimeter of RAF Northolt, continuing to follow the Yeading Brook. Unless any planes are taking off overhead you wouldn’t know that the airport is there. The growing rumble that you’ll hear is the A40 Western Avenue. A small tunnel takes you safely under the dual carriageway where the path follows a South-Easterly direction. Continuing on you’ll pass through Gutterage Wood, then Ten Acre Wood. The path will change direction again and head due South continuing to follow the Yeading Brook.

This section finishes at the start of Yeading Brook Meadows as you cross Kingshill Avenue. There’s no car park here, but lots of free on-street parking on The Greenway that runs along the Eastern border of the Meadow.

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SECTION 3 - Yeading Brook Meadows To Cranford Park

Start: On street parking near Yeading Brook Meadows, Hayes, Northolt, UB4 9JA
Finish: Car Park at Cranford Park, London TW5 9RZ
Distance: 7.4 km (4.6 miles)
Elevation change: +29m / - 31m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Grand Union Canal Paddington Branch Towpath, Grand Union Canal Towpath, The London Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: N/A
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell and
- OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford
Links: Hillingdon, Yeading, Yeading Brook Meadows, Southall, River Crane, Cranford Park

Picking up from where you left off at the end of Section 2, continue South-East through Yeading Brook Meadows. Cross over Yeading Lane and under the A312 into Brookside where you’ll join the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal. Cross over the bridge and follow the towpath in a South-Westerly direction. After ~3 km the canal meets the main channel of the Grand Union at Bulls Bridge. Take a right and follow the canal for approx 300m until you get to the A312 Parkway overpass. Use the zig-zagging footway to climb up to road level and follow the footpath to the side of the road South over the bridge. By now you’ll be missing the quiet countryside of section 1 as you walk through the busiest, ugliest part of the trail.

At the roundabout to the South of the overpass take a left onto North Hyde Road and a left onto Watersplash Lane. Here you’l enter Cranford Park and the home stretch of the trail. You’ll now be following the River Crane which splits off from the Yeading Brook a bit further North at Minet Country Park. After ~500m cross under the M4 via St Dunstan’s Subway and into the main part of Cranford Park. You’ll pass by St Dunstan’s Church and the remains of Cranford Manor.

As we were using 2 cars to get to the start and end points of the trail, the car park next to St Dunstan’s Church was the obvious place to end our walk. If you’re using public transport, continue South through Cranford park to the A4 Bath Road where there’s several options servicing the Heathrow area. This final section of the trail from the Grand Union canal also follows the London Loop which continues South towards Kingston.

Next sections of the London Loop:

Richard gowerTrek, Colne Valley, Canal, Middlesex, London, EnglandComment
Cycling The Windsor to Staines Railway
Level Crossing near Horton

Level Crossing near Horton

Start & Finish: Windsor & Eton Riverside Railway Station, Windsor SL4 1NA, United Kingdom
Distance: 26.3 km (16.3 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 78 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Colne Valley Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in both Windsor and Staines Town Centres. A good half-way stop is The Swan Hotel, Staines
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Staines-Windsor Line, Windsor & Eton Riverside Station, Datchet Station, Sunnymeads Station, Wraysbury Station, Staines West Station (closed), Staines Station

Hot on the heels of the Slough to Windsor Railway cycle ride, next up was Windsor to Staines. This one started at Windsor & Eton Riverside station which is a short walk from Windsor & Eton Central but on a completely different line. The Riverside Station is the terminus for a branch line that connects to the Waterloo to Reading line at Staines. To make this a circular route we took the Thames Path back to Windsor from Staines. An obvious alternative would be to make it a point-to-point trip, returning via train to Windsor. Although the route is enjoyable either as a cycle or a walk there’s a few points to note on either option.

Starting from Windsor & Eton Riverside Station, take Farm Yard North to the Thames Path and take a right. Follow the Thames Path on a North-Easterly direction past Romney Lock and through Home park until you reach the bridge that takes the B470 King Edward Avenue over the Thames. Cross the Thames and follow the B470 to Datchet, taking a left onto the B470 Datchet High Street. At the mini roundabout take a right and follow the B376 Horton Road towards the East.

If you’re walking you can take a footpath on the right about 1.5 km along the B376. This will take you alongside the railway line, over a level crossing and eventually to Sunnymeads Station. Continue through Sunnymeads until you reach the B376 again, now called Welley Road. If you’re cycling, you’ll find the footpath a bit tight so it’s best avoided. As a quick diversion continue to the mini-roundabout, taking the second exit onto Welley Road and join up with where the footpath comes out of Sunnymeads.

Continue on the B376 to Wraysbury High Street and take a left onto Station Road. Continue on Station Road until you get to Wraysbury Station. Take a right onto the footpath to the East side of the Colne Brook. The footpath runs parallel to the rail line for ~1.5 km until it connects to Moor Lane just before the M25 overpass. This is best taken on foot but if you’re attempting it by bike make sure you’re on a mountain bike as it’s quite uneven and rooty. If you’re cycling and want to avoid this section, its best to take the right turn onto the B376 Staines Road at Wraysbury rather than left to Wraysbury Station. This will take you through Hythe End directly into Staines Town Centre.

Whichever option you have just taken, you’ll end up at the Two Rivers Shopping Centre. Here' you’ll cross both the River Colne and River Wraysbury (stars of previous cycle trips). Follow clear signage through the town to Staines Railway Station. From the station you’re ~ 500m from the Thames Path which gives you a very easily navigable return route to Windsor.

Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Thames, Railway, Colne Valley, Berkshire, Surrey, EnglandComment
Walking The Beeches Way
Lord Boston’s Folly, Hedsor

Lord Boston’s Folly, Hedsor

For a well signed route very close to my home, it’s odd that I’d not completed this one years ago. At 27km (18 miles) this would have made for a good training for an ultra marathon so I kept it on the back burner for when I needed it. When the Covid-19 Lockdown came and all races cancelled, it was time to bring it forward. So, as soon as it was acceptable to travel a small distance from home, we decided that it was time to tackle it.

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.

SECTION 1 - COOKHAM TO STOKE COMMON

Start: The Ferry, Sutton Road, Cookham, Maidenhead, SL6 9SN
Finish: Bus Stop on the B416 at Stoke Common, Stoke Poges, SL2 4DP
Distance: 11.5 km (7.1 miles)
Elevation change: +118m / -69m. Net -49m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop, Shakespeare’s Way, Buckinghamshire Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Beeches Cycleway
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: The Blackwood Arms, The Beeches Eco Cafe, several in Farnham Common
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Cookham, Hedsor, Burnham Beeches, Farnham Common, Stoke Common

The best place to start is the Ferry, a lovely riverside pub and restaurant next to the road crossing on the Thames at Cookham. The car park is for customers only but there’s other parking options nearby if you’re driving to the start. For the rail-return option (see below for details), Cookham Station is a 1.3 km walk to the Ferry.

From the Ferry, cross the road bridge and look out for the footpath on the right hand side of the road past the county sign for Buckinghamshire. Here you’ll cross a field and rejoin the Thames for a short distance. After passing through a small gated estate you’ll cross Hedsor Hill Road and onto a track that passes St Nicholas Church on the right and Hedsor Folly on the left. The 1km from Hedsor Lane to Broad Lane is pretty steep but once you get to the top the rest of this section is fairly flat.

As you continue along the Beeches Way you’ll notice that there’s a lot of signage to assist you. Be careful though as the Beeches Way signs are poorly maintained and many have faded or have moved, pointing in ambiguous directions. As the route also follows Shakespeare’s Way, you can look out for that route’s stickers, but a map or GPS route would be very helpful.

At approx 5.5 km in you’ll pass the Blackwood Arms, location of some Midsomer Murders episodes and a good place for a rest at approximately half way in. From here you’re only 1 km from the section than runs through Burnham Beeches, a well maintained country park and nature reserve. From Burnham Beeches you’ll pass through Farnham Common and woodland before reaching the end of this section at Stoke Common.

There’s a bus stop at the B416 Gerrards Cross Road with connections to Amerham, Wycombe, Gerrards Cross and Slough. If you’re driving the parking options are extremely limited here so an alternative end point would be Farnham Common. This would reduce section 1 by just over 2 km and add it to section 2.

SECTION 2 - STOKE COMMON to Langley Park

Start: Bus Stop on the B416 at Stoke Common, Stoke Poges, SL2 4DP
Finish: Langley Park Car Park, Billet Lane, Iver, SL0 0LT
Distance: 7.3 km (4.5 miles)
Elevation change: +48m / -65m. Net -17m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Beeches Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Black Horse Fulmer, San Remo Kiosk Black Park, Langley Park Tearoom
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Stoke Common, Fulmer, Black Park, Langley Park

From the B416 Gerrards Cross Road enter Stoke Common and follow the main North-Easterly path to the footpath exit on Stoke Common Road. Take a left onto Windmill Road down to Fulmer village centre. The Black Horse pub is one of our favourites and a good, albeit pricey, stop for a meal. On the North side of St James’ Church, take the footpath to the right before the bridge over the Alderbourne Stream. The trail follows the stream for ~300m before heading uphill through fields and into the private Fulmer Rise Estate.

Continue through the Fulmer Rise estate to exit and take a left onto Fulmer Common Road. When we got to the big metal footpath gate we found that one of the residents had locked it off with a bike chain. Some other walkers had already turned around and gone back to Fulmer. We asked a nice lady in the nearest house to open the car gate for us and continued on our way. Hopefully that was a one-off incident of public right-of-way blocking but we reported it to the council anyway.

A short way down Fulmer Common Road, take the first right onto Black Park Road and then a path ~400m on the left into Black Park. This is one of my favourite Country Parks and location of my home parkrun event. There’s many trails through the park but you’re basically heading South East to the footpath exit onto the A420 Uxbridge Road. Keeping to the Western side of the park will take you around the lake and past 2 cafes while the Eastern side will give you a glimpse of the back of Pinewood Studios at the North End.

At the South-East corner of Black park you can cross over the A420 Uxbridge Road to enter the North Eastern corner of Langley Park. Be very careful crossing this road as it can be extremely busy with cars travelling very fast. With the noisy road behind you, you can now enjoy the peace of the Rhododendron walks through Temple Gardens. This stage of the walk ends at the Langley Park cafe and car park as you emerge from Temple Gardens.

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SECTION 3 - Langley Park to West Drayton Railway Station

Start: Langley Park Car Park, Billet Lane, Iver, SL0 0LT
Finish: Station Approach, Yiewsley, West Drayton UB7 9DY, United Kingdom
Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
Elevation change: +29m / -61m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Shakespeare’s Way, London Loop, Grand Union Canal, Grand Union Canal Slough Arm, Colne Valley Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 61
London Coal Duty Posts: 69
Pubs / Cafes on route: Langley Park Tearoom, The Swan At Iver, The Rail Road Cafe West Drayton
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Langley Park, Iver, Yiewsley

From the Langley Park car park follow any of several footpaths through the park to the South Eastern corner. Here you’ll pick up a path heading directly East with sign-post for the Beeches Way, Shakespeare’s Way, Colne Valley Trail and NCN 61. Continue following the Beeches Way for 3 km on an Easterly direction. You’ll cross over Billet Lane, Wood Lane and Love Lane along the way, each of these running North/South. When you reach Bangor’s Road South you’ll turn right onto it, following South-East for ~300m before turning left onto Coppins Lane. Continue North along Coppins Lane and follow it as it turns from a road into a footpath and curves to the East. Watch out for a junction in the footpath and be careful to turn right rather than continuing on the Colne Valley Trail

After leaving Coppins Lane you’ll continue due South for just over 1 km and will reach Iver High Street. Cross over the High Street and continue South along Thorney Lane North. When you see signs for the Beeches Way pointing left down Victoria Crescent DO NOT follow them. A bridge over the canal further down this section has been removed but the signs have not been updated. See this blog post for more details. Instead, continue South down Thorney Lane North until you cross the Grand Union Canal. On the South West corner of the bridge you can walk down to the canal towpath. Walk East along the towpath and you’ll rejoin the Beeches Way.

Follow the canal for ~1 km, crossing over both the Colne Brook and River Colne. When you reach a big metal footbridge crossing over the canal watch out for sign-posts and a Coal Post. Take a right onto the path leading from the bridge and continue South East. After ~1 km you’ll cross the River Frays and across a residential island then over the main section of the Grand Union Canal. Follow the Grand Union South East for ~500m until you reach the end of the route at West Drayton.

Accessing the start and end by train

We tackled the Beeches way by leaving a car at either end of each of the point-to-point sections. If you want to complete the route in 1 day there’s also an option to take a train from one end to the other. Cookham Station is 1.3 km from the start of the route at the Thames river bridge and the end of the route is very close to West Drayton station. From West Drayton you can take a train heading west and change at Maidenhead. From Maidenhead take a train towards Marlow or Bourne End and get off at Cookham.

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Canal, Thames, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex, England, Coal Duty PostComment