Lea Valley Walk Cicerone Guidebook

by: Leigh Hatts
The Lea Valley Walk is one of the finest and most varied walking routes around London, and an excellent way to get out of (and into) the capital. It offers 50 miles of traffic-free walking, tracing the route of the River Lea from its source at Leagrave near Luton to the Thames at East India Dock in east London. The route provides fascinating variety as it follows the river, undergoing a metamorphosis from rural pathway to urban trail, passing Hatfield, Hertford and Waltham Abbey The route is enjoyable and equally suitable for long distance walking and those looking for easy level walking. It is easily accessible from railway stations, making it ideal for walking in stages. The route also provides wildlife, countryside and heritage interest.

The complete trek is presented in nine stages, accompanied by clear OS 1:50,000 scale mapping, with suggestions for three, four, five and six day itineraries. For those looking for an easy-to-access traffic-free day or half-day walk, the route is divided into sections with convenient railway stations close to each end.
This fine and varied walk traces the river as it passes through Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire towards the bustle of London. It takes in historical towns and villages, stately homes and castles, including Waltham Abbey and Hertford Castle, Luton Hoo, Brocket Park and Hatfield. Along with suggestions for refreshment stops and accommodation, the guidebook is packed with fascinating snippets of information about wildlife, landscape, history and industrial heritage, making it an ideal companion to exploring the river and its surroundings About 26 miles of the route is within the Lea Valley Regional Park, from Ware in Hertfordshire to the Thames. The Park was established as Britain's first Regional Park by act of Parliament in 1967

The route sections are as follows:
Section 1 Leagrave to Luton Airport Parkway
Section 2 Luton Airport Parkway to Harpenden
Section 3 Harpenden to Hatfield
Section 4 Hatfield to Hertford
Section 5 Hertford to Broxbourne
Section 6 Broxbourne to Enfield Island
Section 7 Enfield Island to Tottenham Lock
Section 8 Tottenham Lock to Three Mills
Section 9 Three Mills to East India Dock
Section 9A Three Mills to Limehouse Basin

ISBN 9781852847746 Pages 138 (2020) 116mm x 172mm