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- tring reservoirs walk
Tring reservoirs walk
This walk visits four reservoirs, now nature reserves, and routes along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal. It starts at the village of Wilstone and blends canal towpath walking with the opportunity to bird-watch on the reservoirs. It is buggy and child friendly, apart from a flight of steps and two short sections of road without pavements.
Waypoints
Starting from the war memorial on the green, take the no-through-road to pass by an antiques shop and Rothschild style houses on the left. Continue through a swing gate on to a gravel path with converted barns on the left, to a pond and through another swing gate ahead to reach a road, the A489. Turn right facing oncoming traffic, until shortly crossing the road to a pavement alongside the garden centre. Leaving the pavement, bear left onto a path with fencing on the left to reach a wooden bridge and swing gate. If you turn right here, with the bank of Wilstone Reservoir ahead, you can find one of the most famous birds spots in southern England. Climb the flight of steps and at the top turn left along the embankment path, which later bears right near the edge of the water to reach a gate, Waddesdon Estate. Turn left up a slope and once at the top a swing gate leads onto the towpath of the Wendover Arm where you turn left.
Easting: 491275, Northing: 213450
The towpath reaches another galvanised swing gate, with the workings and achievements of the canal restoration ahead. Leave the towpath and bear left on a path through a gap alongside a gate, to the road where you turn right. Take care here; there are no footpaths for 100 yards. You will reach a farm and cottage where you cross the road to join an access road to Tringford Pumping Station. The access road reaches a fork with the pumping station uphill on the right, a private road.
Easting: 491748, Northing: 212945
Bear left over the stile at the fork, to follow a path with Tringford Reservoir on the right, and reach a bird-watching hide. Here you will find an information board about the wide range of birds and ducks that can be seen here.
Easting: 491852, Northing: 213452
Turn left along the towpath, with Marsworth church ahead, to reach Marsworth locks. Cross the road where traffic lights control movements over the narrow bridge and, following the steps down, rejoin the towpath with its plethora of narrowboats moored up.
Easting: 491880, Northing: 214675
