Colne Valley Park

Regional Park: Southern/Eastern England/London

Varied countryside on the western edge of London 11,000ha/27,400 acres

An extensive chain of green spaces along the Colne Valley to the west of London incorporating both suburban open spaces and unspoilt countryside, from the expansive wetlands and reservoirs of the Thames floodplain in the south, to chalk hills on the edge of the Chilterns to the north.

A number of the country parks, open spaces and walks within the Park have disabled access. Contact the Visitor Centre for more details.

Local Authorities

• Buckinghamshire
• Hertfordshire
• Hillingdon
• Surrey
• Slough
• Windsor and Maidenhead

Principal open access sites

• Arthur Jacob Nature Reserve. A wetland near Horton.
• Bayhurst Wood Country Park Hillingdon. 40ha/98 acres of woodlands forming part of Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve (see West London Parks).
• Black Park Country Park in the west of the park has extensive woodlands and parkland, once a popular location for nearby film companies. Neighbouring Rowley Farm also offers a farm trail.
• Denham Country Park and the adjoining Denham Quarry, Fray's Meadow and Denham Lock Wood. Crossed by the Grand Union Canal as well as the Colne and its tributaries, the Park is rich in wildlife with attractive waterside walks. The Quarry is now restored and managed by Hillingdon Council for informal recreation.
• Kingcup Farm Trail off Willetts Lane, Denham. Self-guided trail around a working farm.
• Lammas Park. Open space in Staines.
• Langley Park Country Park at over 53ha/130 acres is a historic hunting park with attractive formal gardens, with a network of surfaced easy-access pathways.
• Little Britain Lakes. A complex of lakes between Iver and Cowley.
• Northmoor Hill Nature Reserve off Tilehouse Lane, Denham. Mixed woodlands with plentiful birdlife and a network of paths.
• Rickmansworth Lakes in the north of the Park, with a spectacular lakeside walk.
• Staines Moor and Reservoir in the south of the Park has extensive wetlands, parts of which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
• Thorney Country Park near Iver is home to a variety of wildlife.

Promoted routes

• Beeches Way
• Colne Valley Park Circular Walks
• Colne Valley Way and Trail (see Grand Union Canal Walk)
• Grand Union Canal Walk
• Hillingdon Trail (see Grand Union Canal Walk)
• London LOOP
• South Bucks Way (see Midshires Way)
• West London Waterway Walks

Tourist Information Centres

• London. The nearest is at Uxbridge. For a full list click here.
• Windsor 01753 743911

See also the Park Visitor Centre below.

Public transport

Many parts easily accessible with trains from Staines to Windsor, Reading, Weybridge and London Waterloo; West Drayton, Iver, Langley and Slough to Reading (for services to the west of England and Birmingham), Ealing and London Paddington; Uxbridge on London Underground's Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines to central London; Denham to Aylesbury, Birmingham, Sudbury and London Marylebone. Buses link other sites with centres such as Uxbridge, Staines and Slough. See our Public Transport for Walkers page for more about transport in London and how to find detailed information on services and fares.

Maps

• Explorer Maps 160, 172
• Landranger Maps 176

Contacts

• Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre Denham Country Park, Denham Court Drive, Denham UB9 5PG, tel 01895 833375
  www.colnevalleypark.org.uk