New River Path

Recreational Route: Eastern England/London

Hertford to New River Head, Islington
43km/27 miles EASY

The New River is in fact an artificial watercourse constructed in the early 17th century to bring water from springs in Hertfordshire to London. Most of it is still in use today under the ownership of Thames Water, and provides the basis for this unusual, attractive and easy-going walking route. The working watercourse now ends at Stoke Newington and the section between here and the original head at Sadler's Wells has been largely infilled, but it is still possible to trace the old course through streets and parks where fragments of the "river" survive as decorative water features.

The walkers' route was developed between 1991 and 2003 by a partnership including Thames Water, Groundwork, the New River Action Group and others. Much of the route is along service paths beside the watercourse that have been opened by permission, and walkers are asked to comply with the safety notices displayed at access points. Some sections follow public rights of way, and the "heritage" section south of Stoke Newington uses paths through parks and along streets.

Between Waltham Cross and Hertford the route roughly parallels the Lea Valley Walk, allowing various circular route options.

The New River Link is an alternative route leaving the main route at the Docwra aqueduct where the Path meets the London Loop, continuing via Whitewebbs Park to rejoin the main route just north of Enfield town centre, creating a circular route option.

Easy walking along good, level paths. Some wheelchair-accessible surfaced sections: contact Thames Water for details.

Connects with

• Better Haringey Trail
• Capital RING
• Grand Union Canal Walk (via Regent's Canal)
• King's Cross Walks
• Lea Valley Walk
• London LOOP
• MODA Suburban Guided Walks (via short link)
• Parkland Walk (see Capital RING)
• Pymmes Brook Trail
• Six Trails in Islington

Highway Authorities

• Enfield
• Hackney
• Haringey
• Islington
• Hertfordshire

Parks and Countryside

• Lee Valley Park
• North London Parks (Alexandra Park, Clissold Park, Finsbury Park, Hillyfields Park, Railway Fields)

Tourist Information Centres

• Hertford 01992 584322
• London There are TICs at Tower Hamlets and several in central London. Click here for details.
• Luton 01582 401579
• Waltham Abbey 01992 652295, www.walthamabbey.org.uk

See also Lee Valley Park Information Centre

Maps

• Explorer maps 173, 174
• Landranger maps 166, 177

Local street atlases may be more useful in built-up areas. See Walking in London: Maps.

Publications

• The New River Path: a walk linking Hertford and Islington, colour booklet with good maps of route and background details. Free: order here or from Thames Water
• Exploring the New River by Michael Essex-Lopresti, ISBN 1 85858 075 7. Brewin, £9.95.
  Combination of detailed history of the watercourse with sketch maps and practical walking guide. Some new paths have opened since the most recent edition (1997) but they are obvious on the ground.
• An historical walk along the New River by Mary Cosh, ISBN 0 950753 27 0. Islington Archaeology and History Society, £4.95 + 90p p&p. Details from Catherine Brighty, tel 020 7833 1541.
  Covers the now-disused section between Stoke Newington and Islington.
• Best circular walks in Lee Valley Park, free leaflet pack including a New River walk. Order here!

Contacts

• Thames Water
• New River Action Group 24 Lavender Road, Enfield EN2 0ST, tel 020 8363 7187