Lake and Riverside Walk
Route facts
Waterways:
River Lee »
Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.2km
Duration: 3 - 3.5 hours
Circular route from: Hooks Marsh
During this fascinating walk around Lee Valley Country Park, you will see a former World War 2 gun emplacement, the mysterious buildings which made up the former Gunpowder Factory, the best place to see Early Marsh Orchids in the London region in June and two very different weirs. You may also be lucky enough to see Kingfishers, Dragonflies, the very rare Bittern and the rarest native hardwood tree.
The walk consists of mostly well surfaced paths which can be muddy at times. They are also some steep slopes leading up to the bridges. There are picnic tables, a tea room at Hayes Hill Farm and toilets near Bittern Watchpoint.
Getting there
Parking: There is parking at various points around the route.
Public transport: Cheshunt is the nearest railway station. The bus stops opposite Turnford Brook, Cheshunt.
Waypoints
1. Hooks Marsh
Hooks Marsh is at the heart of the River Lee Country Park. The park covers a thousand acres of former gravel pits, which have been transformed and are now a haven for wildlife and people. Whilst you are walking south, look to the east and you will see some of the 21 listed buildings that once made up the former Royal Gunpowder Mills. The site was used for over 300 years to make and test explosives. Further along you will be walking along the River Lee Flood Relief Channel, also known as Horsemill Stream, with the weir to the east. The weir is controlled by a computer and has Radial Gates which allow for the rapid escape of flood water from further up the Lee Valley. The channel is important is it stops towns such as Waltham Abbey and Chestnut from flooding. Opposite the weir is Hall Marsh Scrape.
2. Hall Marsh Scrape
Hall Marsh Scrape is a man-made wildlife refuge and mimics the conditions of a river flood meadow. In Spring, Little Ringed Plovers arrive from Africa to breed and raise their chicks on the shingle beaches. Redshanks and Lapwongs feed in the wet mud. You can also see a small concrete gun emplacement used during World War 2. It has been successfully adapted to create a bat house. Next along the way is Hooks Marsh Ditch, a premier dragonfly location. In 1993, the Hairy Dragonfly was first seen here and is the rarest breeding species in the Lee Valley. After passing Tunnershill Marsh, you will see an Otter Holt (log pile) which has been built on a tiny island in the Seventy Acres Lake to your right. It encouraes otters which were re-introduced into the Park in 1991. Further along the route, to your left, will be the best place in London to see some Early Marsh Orchids.
3. Early Marsh Orchids
e east if Holyfield Hall Farm, where you can watch the milking being daily at 14:45.
4. Holyfield Hall Farm
skulking, so it pays to be patient and quiet as you wait for a possile sighting. The Bittern Watchpoint is open everyday, free of charge. Hooks Marsh, where you began your route, is just near here.
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