We are the Bromley Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Philip J.
This is the penultimate section of the 78 mile long CAPITAL RING. Just another 20 odd miles to go to the end!
Exiting Highgate Station by the Priory Gardens exit, its just a short walk down Priory Gardens and a path on the right leading up a steep slope to our starting point. Its mainly downhill from here.
We are soon at the entrance to Parkland Walk, which used to be a railway line until 1954. We follow this for 2 miles, passing numerous signs of its past life: old station platforms, road crossings, deserted train stations, and a spriggan climbing out of a graffiti covered arch!
At the end of the Parkway we cross a footbridge which leads us straight into Finsbury Park. There are a cafe and toilets here. We go through a more formal McKenzie Garden (not likely to be at its best in December!) and follow the Capital Ring signage past an athletic track, to exit the park by Green Lanes.
We join the New River path. The New River runs from Hertford to Islington and is an artificial river, dug out by hand 400 years ago, to supply the growing population of London with additional water. They even got the flow rate right! There are many birds to view along the river and the adjoining nature reserve.
After passing the West Reservoir Cafe we turn left on Green Lanes (again!), and follow the signs to Clissold Park and then to Clissold House, built in the 1790s for local Quaker, Jonathan Hoare. There are toilets here. Passing The Old Church of St. Mary's and heading through the Graveyard to the main exit from the cemetery, we turn left at Stoke Newington Church Street.
Continuing along the Street (no sign available until near the end) we use the ramp to enter Abney Park cemetery. The site is now a nature reserve and has over 300,000 graves since 1840. Turning right at the first cross-paths we pass the chapel and exit through the main gates onto Stanford Hill, crossing the road at the pedestrian lights.
Heading away from Stamford Hill we meander through streets until we enter Springfield Park. Opened in 1905, it was designated as London's first Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS). The name comes from the series of springs arising in the area from a combination of sand, gravel and London clay. There is a cafe and toilets in the 19th century Springfield Mansion. Following the signs and passing tennis courts on the left, we leave the Park at a metal gate.
We are now in the Lea Valley. We cross by the footbridge on the left and turn right down the river path until the river bends to the right. We cross the river and continue in the same direction, with the river now of our left, until we soon come to a weir which separates the River Lea from the Lee Navigation (the spelling was set by agreement that the River would be Lea and the canal would be Lee.) We continue following the canal (unless the time is available to take a detour to the Middlesex Filter Beds) until we reach the Copper Box Arena, where we leave the Capital Ring and turn left to get to Stratford Station.
Please bring a packed lunch.
Leave Highgate Station the Priory Gardens exit.
Stratford Station gives access to a number of TFL lines, the Central , the DLR, the Elizabeth , The Jubilee and the Mildmay. It also has National Rail links
