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The Lea Valley Walk
One-week walk from Leagrave to the heart of London
ISBN
9781786312877
Availability
Published
Published
23 Oct 2025
Edition
Fourth
Pages
120
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x .90cm
Weight
150g
Delivery & Returns
Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
More information...
Guidebook to the Lea Valley Walk, a 50-mile route from Bedfordshire to the Thames. Described across five stages, the Walk traces the River Lea from Leagrave (near Luton) to East India Dock opposite Greenwich where it joins the Thames Path. Features an alternative finish at Limehouse Basin plus an optional 4-mile tour of the Olympic Park.
Seasons
Late summer sees harvesting around Wheathampstead and haymaking on Walthamstow Marsh. Best Autumn tree colours are in Luton’s Wardown Park and Brocket Park Estate. Winter and spring allow for clearer views.Centres
Bedfordshire countryside gives way to Hertfordshire villages before the Walk turns south to Waltham Abbey and Greater London's marshes above Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.Difficulty
Most of the route is flat and good walking shoes are sufficient. After Hertford the way is a towpath and occasionally metalled. There are many railway stations near the Walk as well as at the beginning and end. Refreshment is easily available at the start and from Hertford onwards. But a gap in food provision can occur, especially in winter, after Wheathampstead until Hertford due to pub closures – so take a picnic.Must See
First there is Limbury's moated Tudor pub, Luton's 900 year old church, pretty Lemsford's mill, lakes and Hertford Castle. From here navigation reaches Ware’s gazebos, moated Rye House, the Olympic White Water Centre and Waltham Abbey in its green grounds. Tottenham and Walthamstow Marshes are the prelude to the Olympic legacy parkland.ISBN
9781786312877
Availability
Published
Published
23 Oct 2025
Edition
Fourth
Pages
120
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x .90cm
Weight
150g
Delivery & Returns
Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
More information...
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Overview
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A guidebook to the Lea Valley Walk, a 50-mile route following the River Lea from its source near Leagrave to East India Dock. The route is almost entirely level and suitable for all abilities.
- Presented in 5 stages (13–28km (8-17 miles)) with an alternative finish option (Stage 6)
- Can be completed over a long weekend, over the course of a week, or across multiple weekends
- A 6km (4-mile) circular walk (Tour of the Olympic Park) is also described
- 1:50,000 OS maps feature alongside route description
- Invaluable railway links provided, offering myriad itinerary flexibility
- Facilities table to help you plan your itinerary
- GPX files available to download
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Table of Contents
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Map key
Route summary table
INTRODUCTION
Lea Valley Walk
History of the valley
Heritage
Up and down the valley
London’s greenhouse
Wildlife
Backpacking the Walk
Day walking
An almost flat walk
Maps
Using this guide
THE LEA VALLEY WALK
Stage 1 Leagrave to Harpenden
Stage 2 Harpenden to Hertford
Stage 3 Hertford to Broxbourne
Stage 4 Broxbourne to Tottenham
Stage 5 Tottenham to East India Dock
Stage 6 (Alternative end) Bow Locks to Limehouse Basin
THE OLYMPIC PARK
Circular walk Tour of the Olympic Park
Appendix A Itinerary planner
Appendix B Further information
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Maps
- The OS maps covering The Lea Valley Walk are Landranger® 166 and 177 and the more detailed (1:25,000) Explorer® 162, 174, 182 and 193.
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Updates
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We do not yet have any updates available for this book
We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).
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Downloads
By Leigh Hatts
Leigh Hatts has been walking the Thames towpath and exploring the river and Docklands since 1981, when he worked on the feasibility study that resulted in the decision to establish the route as a National Trail. He worked as a reporter with the walkers’ magazine TGO and as arts correspondent of the Catholic Herald. He is co-founder of Bankside Press.
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