Sunday Walk: Boston Manor Circular (new variant via Osterley Park)

Length: At a guess 8.5 miles, or 9.3 miles if completing the full walk to Northfields. Toughness: 2/10

This variant of walk 418, Boston Manor to Northfields takes you through Osterley Park using parts of walk 42 and short walk 22. 

Early in the walk you pass a giant cedar and two redwoods in Boston Manor Park. A stretch along the canal follows and, later you visit Osterley Park. (Entry to the Park is free, but there’s a charge to visit the House and Gardens).

Transport: Take the Piccadilly line tube (towards Heathrow) to arrive at Boston Manor (TfL Zone 4) by 11:00. It's about a 30-minute journey from central London. Return from either Boston Manor or Northfields, one stop nearer London on the same line. Plan your journey here.  

Directions

You are advised to use the combined map and gps files, available here (SWC.418 Alternative route via Osterley Park). There are sketchy written directions (below) but they are still unchecked. 

1. Start by following Walk 418 (Boston Manor to Northfields). After a stretch along the canal, you deviate from the original walk by taking a left over Trumpers Way Bridge (The first bridge after the motorway -white with big black letters on) You then ...
2. “Cross over Trumpers Way Bridge and continue over the railway line crossing. Turn left immediately after the crossing and follow the path, initially parallel with the railway line. 
3. Then veering right through Long Wood to eventually emerge onto Windmill Lane. Turn left and follow the road to the Hare and Hounds. 
4. Cross the road here (carefully) to a gap in the hedge to follow the path out onto the broad track in Osterley Park. Turn right on this track and follow until past the lake. Turn left at the lodge house to Osterley House (cafe). 
5. Now follow walk 42 in reverse (use the map) to the Plough at Norwood Green and onwards via Tentelow Wood to rejoin the canal at Top Lock."
6. Head north-east, back along the canal and, after a series of locks, you will find, off to the left, the Fox, a pleasant pub worth an afternoon visit. 
7. Then follow walk 418 back to Boston Manor station or further to Northfields.

Sources: 

Combined map and gps.

Walk 418

Walk 42

Short walk 22

Lunch. Two main options. The Osterley Park House café or the Plough (Tel 020 8574 1945) a little later in Norwood Green.

Tea an early-ish option is the Fox in Hanwell, 0208 5670060, near the canal. Good choice of drinks, reasonably priced (for London).

Near Boston Manor station, there’s the No.6 Coffee shop open till 4. If you do the short extension through Blondin Park you should be able to find more refreshment places along Northfield Avenue, and a pub, Ryan’s. There's also a community caff in Blondin Park itself, The sign says "open till 4".

If you would rather just stick to the main walk (418), be aware that the café in Brent Lodge Park is closed, so your lunch place is the Fox, in Hanwell 0208 5670060 t=swc.418.a