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The Lea Valley Walk describes the Lea Valley Walk, a 53-mile long-distance path from Luton to the Thames. It follows the River Lea from its source near Leagrave to East India Dock opposite Greenwich, with an alternative finish at Limehouse and an optional tour of the Olympic Park. On the way it passes through a blend of quiet countryside, nature reserves and urban landscapes.
The Lea Valley Walk offers level, waymarked walking for all abilities. The complete trek is presented in nine stages, accompanied by clear OS 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.
Tracing the river as it passes through Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire towards the bustle of London, this fine and varied walk 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 Lea Valley Walk 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.
Introduction
Lea Valley Walk
History of the valley
Heritage
Up and down the valley
London’s greenhouse
Wildlife
Backpacking the Walk
Day walking
An almost flat walk
Maps
Using this guide
The Lea Valley Walk
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
The Olympic Park
Day Walk Tour of the Olympic Park
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Itinerary planner
Appendix C Further information
Leigh Hatts has been walking the Thames towpath and exploring the river and Docklands since 1981, when he worked on the feasibility study that resulted in the decision to establish the route as a National Trail. He worked as a reporter with the walkers' magazine TGO and as arts correspondent of the Catholic Herald. He is co-founder of Bankside Press a small family-run web and print publishing business based in London SE1.
