Walk With A View
Route facts
Waterways:
River Lee »
Distance: 6.5 miles / 10.4km
Duration: 4 - 4.5 hours
Circular route from: Cornmill Meadows
This is a challenging and invigorating circular walk exploring the edge of the ancient Epping Forest. You will experience some fantastic panoramic views of London whilst following the ancient bridleways and footpaths of the Lee Valley.
The whole walk is filled with history, from a place that once grew trees to supply to London parks, a building with walls thick enough to contain an explosion and posts marking a tax boundary dating back to 1694. This walk is also a birdwatchers paradise and for those who enjoy looking out for wildlife, it is also ideal.
The walk is moderate to challenging. The terain is mostly public footpaths and bridleways which can get very muddy in autumn and winter. There are picnic tables and a pub along the route so you can have a break. Toilets are located near the Bittern Watchpoint at Fishers Green.
Getting there
Parking: There is parking all along the route so you are not limited to where you can begin it.
Public transport: Cheshunt is the nearest railway station. The 505 bus stops at Cornmill Meadows.
Waypoints
1. Cornmill Meadows to Royal Gunpowder Mills
Cornmill Meadows, a popular birding location is a stunning area that was once part of a Greater London Council Arboretum which supplied trees for the great London Parks. Walk east across the Prime Meridan Line and you will come to Cornmill Stream. If you look across the stream, you will be able to see Lee Valley Park Dragonfly Sanctuary, where 21 different types of dragonfly and damselfly have been spotted. Due to this, the site has been classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Do not worry if you see a dragonfly, they do will not sting as they are only hunting for other insects. Continue to walk along the Meridan Line. In the distance, you will see a sculpture which marks this imaginary line. The fenced area that you come to a short distance further on was formerly the Royal Gunpowder Mills. The buildings were used to test explosives and have incredibly thick walls to contain the blast. Today, the area is a blossoming wildlife sanctuary which is closed to visitors.
2. Royal Gunpowder Mills to Hooks Marsh
From the Gunpowder Mills, you will be walking across a field and you are asked to stick to the path at this point. As you continue walking along, to the left is one of the largest Heronries in Essex, with more than 25 pairs of birds. They have unusual feathers, known as 'powder down patches', which crumble into powder and help clean the rest of the plumage of fish slime. In February and March, you may see many of the young birds in the field to the east. Further along, you will see Alder Woodland to your left. The trees here once produced the best charcoal for use in the manufacture of gunpowder. The trees also attract Siskins, which look like Greenfinches. Over 200 have been counted in winter, feeding on the seeds. Just before you reach Hooks Marsh, in the centre of Lee Valley Country Park, look out for the green plaque.
3. Hooks Marsh to Bittern Watchpoint
At Hooks Marsh, stand on the bridge overlooking Cornmill Stream. You may see some watervoles which have been attracted to the area by improvements to their habitat. Further along the route is Seventy Acres Lake, one of the most popular birdwatching areas in the Lee Valley Park. It is on the outskirts of the Lake, a short distance further on along the walk, that you will come to Bittern Watchpoint. The Bittern is a mysterious bird with a crouching posture and stealthy movements and is seen in the Lee Valley between October and March. It is believed that they go there to escape harsh winters elsewhere.
4. Bittern Watchpoint to Coach and Horses Public House
From the Bittern Watchpoint, continue along the walk, passing Holyfield Hall Farm. After a while, you will come to a point where you will have a breathtaking view of Holyfield Lake. During March and April, and again from August until September, you will see migrant waders on the muddy marshes of the pools. If you hear rustling in the trees, you may have woken Little Owls, which roost in the ancient oaks along here. The walk continues onto Coleman's Lane, where you will see two white metal bollards in the hedgerow. The reason for the bollards is that, in 1694, an Act of Parliament was passed which permitted the collection of taxes on coal and wine. This was a 'cunning plan' by the City of London to recoup the massive cost of rebuilding, following the Great Fire of London. A further Act allowed tax collectors to erect posts, like the ones here, to identify the boundary. It is not too far to walk from here to the pub.
5. Coach and Horses Public House to Cornmill Meadows
ee the television masts of Alexandra Palace. This is also the site of an anti-aircraft gun emplacement which protected the Royal Small Arms Factory located on the valley floor below. The concrete post here is used by the Ordnance Survey to determine the height above sea level. From here, continue along the route, along the 'crooked mile, back to Cornmill Meadows.
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