Circular (almost) walk around the greenbelt surrounding London
This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.
| Date | Option | Post | # | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, | London Loop: Uxbridge to Moor Park | 3 | drizzly with dry spells | |
| Sat, | Saturday Walk – The Colne Valley & Batchworth Heath (LOOP 12 & 13) | 10 | mild and overcast | |
| Sat, | London Loop revisited | 14 | overcast morning but later warm and sunny afternoon | |
| Sun, | One for London Loopers | 4 | sunny but breezy weather | |
| Sat, | Saturday Walk - South London Loop | |||
| Sat, | Saturday walk - Cockfosters to Enfield Lock | 9 | brilliant sunshine |
Another pub you might look into is the Old Orchard Inn (Harefield), just up the hill (reachable by a short, steep lane) from Black Jack's Lock. It has an amazing panoramic view of the valley, though I guess this is of more use in summer, when there are lots of outside tables, rather than in winter. The pub always seems to be busy so it might be an idea to phone for a table before climbing. The lock itself has a cafe.
Earlier in the walk, south of Moorhall Road, you will encounter works for the Colne Valley Viaduct of HS2. They shouldn't impede your progress, but you will see jetties extending across lakes either side of the canal, which indicate the route the viaduct will take.
Lastly but not leastly, the walk along the canal to Rickmansworth is not at all unpleasant and about the same length as walking to Moor Park. I seem to recall a nice cafe in a park on the outskirts of the town, which is also on the Metropolitan Line
Another pub you might look into is the Old Orchard Inn (Harefield)........
Thanks for the additional info.
Intend going.
3 drizzly with dry spells . We opted for the Rickmansworth ending. A nice walk, friendly ultra efficient service at the Coy Carp.
For those who like tea and cake at the end of a walk, there is the option of finishing at Batchworth Heath and hopping on the 331 bus (opposite Ye Olde Greene Manne PH) for the short ride to Northwood tube, where there is a Costa. Thanks for posting this walk, which offers a lot of variety and is an excellent taster for those yet to try out the LOOP.
As a London Looper completist and as David is inferring there is no tea option near to Moor Park station which is a wealthy N London suburb. His suggestion sounds a good idea. These 2 sections make afine winter outing.
10 walkers set off from Uxbridge on a mild and overcast day, ideal for walking. It's worth mentioning here that the LOOP has regular muddy stretches over its 154-mile length, so boots are generally advisable and, in winter, gaiters are also useful. We made good progress alongside the Grand Union Canal to the Coy Carp, where four walkers partook of the pub food on offer (which looked very tasty) and the other six munched sandwiches, sat at the picnic tables between the car park and the pub. The pub had a nice log fire burning, which is always welcome, even on a mild February afternoon. After lunch, we enjoyed very different scenery. It was rather muddy underfoot on the approach to Batchworth Heath, so we walked along the road for about 200 yards to avoid the worst of it. With no-one desperate for a Costa coffee, we headed to Moor Park tube, arriving there just before 4. Overall, a most enjoyable walk.
I've done the LOOP a few times and am fairly sure that the Rose and Crown is in the Enfield area near Forty Hall and Turkey Brook (section 17?). I'm sure there will be a suitable pub in Havering-atte-Bower, though. The walk is lovely, for the most part. The last 2 miles or so is through suburban Harold Wood.
Correct. Thanks for pointing this out. Slopping editing on my part, using a previous London Loop posting as a template. The correct pub is The Royal Oak, Havering-atte-bower. T: 01708 74452.
I did this walk independently some time ago and it will make a lovely outing. Just before you enter Havering country park there is a fine photo opp as you look back to view the London skyline.
14 walkers turned up at Chigwell tube station. One coming by car was delayed, so her friend waited behind for her. The remaining 12 set off on an initially overcast morning but later warm and sunny afternoon . The recommended pub (The Royal Oak)wasn't able to provide lunch, but we were fortunate enough to pass a mobile hamburger and German sausage bar on the edge of Havering-atte-Bower, by the riding stables. For future reference, the Orange Tree pub is a few minutes walk away, in the direction of Romford, and it provides lunch. Several walkers sampled the fare and commented positively on it. Two walkers decided to drop out at lunchtime. The remaining 10 pressed on and were rewarded by bright sunshine and excellent views. We reached Harold Wood station shortly before 5. Overall, a fine day of walking. More LOOP walks, please!
4 on this walk in sunny but breezy weather . A pleasant amble through East London's "edgelands". We stopped for early snacks and drinks at the cafe and visitor centre in Ingrebourne Valley before going on to Rainham where 1 member had an "interesting" meat pie in the Albion Flaming Grill!
In the afternoon we continued along the tarmac path by the Thames reaching the RSPB cafe and visitor centre at 3.15m which was packed with mums, dads and children as well as birdwatchers and where we enjoyed delicious cakes and tea. We decided against buying any £2,000+ camera/binocular equipment and strolled on to Purfleet to catch the 16.06 train. A lovely day out on a walk not for all tastes but something different for a winter or Spring outing.
Andy Poole, Fri 10 Mar 17, 11:19
I do not know what tea stops there are in Hamsey Green, but there are 2 at Warlingham Green 355585 (I have no idea what time they close or how good they are). An alternative is the Radius Arms micropub on the E side of the A22 between Upper Warlingham and Whyteleafe stations. Serves 4/5 ales, 12 ciders and some wine, only nuts and crisps etc on the 'menu' though. Recommended, particularly if you've never been to a micropub.
To get there from Hamsey Green, or either of the stations, about 2km/1.25m continue on the road opposite soon with a school on the left, when it bends left continue ahead still with the LOOP. After the trees on the left finish you want to bear left to go down the escarpment, there are many routes but simplest is probably to follow Tandridge Border Path (TBP) signs (not followed them recently so cant be sure of their maintenance). Whichever route you should not go past the quarry on your left - if you get to the quarry 338594 then you can turn left before it keeping it to your right. Your route down should eventually lead to a recreation ground where ignore the TBP which goes under the railway and continue SSE across the recreation ground to its car park and exit where turn right. Go under the railway bridge, turn left for Upper Warlingham station (usually x02 and x32) else continue down to the roundabout, Whyteleafe station ahead (trains roughly on every quarter of the hour but slower) or left to the Radius Arms which is on the left just past the pedestrian lights and looks like a shop.
I did this section of the London Loop last year and don't recall "numerous pubs" en route, just one or two in Shirley about halfway round. However, there are plenty of good picnic spots if it's warm enough.
There used to be a pub (the Good Companions) at Hamsey Green but it closed many years ago. You might be able to get a cup of tea from somewhere in the parade of shops, but there's nothing else in the vicinity. The pubs in Warlingham will be open but they're 20 minutes away along a main road. It's about a 25-30 minute extension to Whyteleafe if you're tempted by the micropub Andy mentions.
If you take the 403 bus and it looks like you'll just miss a train at Sanderstead, stay on the bus to Croydon. There are lots of refreshment places there, of course.
Did this walk today - Sunday - as I always watch the Rugby U internationals on Saturdays (which I have been doing for 56 years! Very satisfying win for England yesterday.). Nice walk especially after lunch with some attractive woodland trails. Only pub I saw - and ate at - was the excellent Sandrock just beyond Shirley Heath. Got to the crossroads at the end just in time to see the bus whizzing past so walked on to Upper Warlingham with a steep tricky path to descend made slick by the afternoon drizzle.
9 on this walk in brilliant sunshine . Satisfactory lunch with good service at the Rose and Crown in/on Clay Hill which has signs saying it's under recently changed management. Six back on the 1534 from Enfield Lock, with three others heading on towards Chingford.
I liked this walk and will do it again; you'd never guess that it's only a tube ride from central London.
Did this walk to Chingford the Sunday before last and its not bad at all. Confirm the excellence of the pub where I had a very tasty veggie burger but I'll deduct a point for serving it on a plank of wood!
Just completed the 14.3m stretch from Chingford to Harold Wood but this is a bit more problematic. Happy to provide feedback if anyone is thinking of doing/setting this.