The Lea Valley Walk - A London Walk

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Updates
• Reviews
• Further Reading

For the latest updates visit the author's website.

May 2009

section 3: Luton Airport Parkway to Harpenden

Bottom of page 29 to middle of page 31:
Follow Parkway Road from the station forecourt (or right from the 
Luton path) to a roundabout. Turn left into Lower Harpenden Road. 
Continue ahead to go under the flyover and follow the path which rises 
to leave the roadside.

Only go left up the steps to visit Someries Castle.

Stay on the main path running parallel to the road below (right). Soon 
the way is fenced and high above the road. At a junction the path goes 
up a steep slope to run alongside the main railway line. From the high 
ground there are occasional glimpses of Luton Hoo mansion (right).

Top of page 32:
The "missing bridge" has been replaced.

Page 36: Diversion to Someries Castle
Go up the steps and left on to a path leading up to Airport Way. Turn 
right to cross high over the railway. Keep forward where the pavement 
ends and after a short distance turn sharp right to climb the steps up 
to the top of the bank. Here there is a view across Luton by the fence 
of Luton Airport.

Go ahead from the top of the bank and turn left with the airport fence 
to follow the path along high ground and then down into the valley.

At the bottom of the hill turn left to stay with the airport fence. On 
meeting a gate keep to its right to continue uphill. Stay with the 
fence as it bears round to the right, passing a clump of trees and a 
hedge. Go through a kissing gate on the left and bear half right to 
pass between brick Someries Castle (right) and the farmhouse. Go 
through another kissing gate by the track gate and turn immediately 
right to find the gate leading to the castle.

Return by the same route but when near the bottom of the hill do not 
go right up hill but continue ahead following the bottom of the valley 
to go under the railway by two cottages (right).

Turn left along the road for a few yards to find on the left a kissing 
gate. Once in the field keep parallel to the road. After a short 
distance bear left up a wide gap and before a tunnel turn right up a 
slope.