Length 7.1 miles (11½ km). Two hours 30 minutes walking time. There an option to continue on to Broxbourne after passing Cheshunt station on the return leg, making a walk of 10.6 miles (17 km).
A walk on mainly surfaced paths among the tree-lined lakes of River Lee Country Park. There are good opportunities for bird-watching in this wetland landscape of rivers and filled-in gravel pits, and several locations where orchids can be seen in late May and June. A series of sculptures are dotted around the park and the walk route goes past many of them.
The lunchtime stop is in the historic market town of Waltham Abbey.
Travel: Get the 1010 Cheshunt train from Liverpool Street (Seven Sisters 1022) arriving 1039. Returns are xx15 & xx45. Note that there is a rail replacement bus service from Broxbourne to Cheshunt xx13 xx43. Buy a return to Cheshunt or Broxbourne, but you can use Oyster or contactless payments on this route.
There is also a London Overground service (0945 Liverpool Street arr 1026) which takes longer but would be free for Freedom Pass holders and may have better connections.
Lunch: There are various suggestions for lunch in Waltham Abbey in the directions.
3 comments:
I hear that North East London Ramblers are getting the same train and doing a Cheshunt circular on Saturday.
This is a heads up for those us who were NELR walkers that then moved to SWC - best keep your heads down and be prepared for some opprobrium if you do get spotted
Curiously this walk (previously posted as a Tunbridge to Tonbridge) shared it's start and finish with a walk posted by the North East London Ramblers. Six SWC stalwarts extracted themselves from the melee of 40 or 50 walkers at Cheshunt station and were quickly joined by two from the NELR members who found their numbers too onerous. The walks writer joined later making a total of n=9 on this w=dismal-and-dank day. The walk was a Birdie's delight with hides and other vistas to spot the wild fowl. Walkers had forgotten to bring fish to entice the otters out to play, however apparently there was some rustling in the reeds which may have been indications of same.
The recommended pub in Waltham Abbey "The Crown" was a delightful 20th Century time-warp with friendly staff and well priced food and drinks.
After lunch, the walk continued visiting the Church, a small part of the original Abbey where a Church helper/warden gave a fascinating insight into the Abbey's history and it's connection with Durham Cathedral. The Romanesque architecture was stunning.
Back to the wetlands via Sun Street and the Greenwich Meridian for the afternoon leg, with more artwork/sculptures and a visit to the white water rafting centre for an afternoon cuppa before returning to Cheshunt station to catch the 4:15 back to the Great Wen
Seven Saturday Walkers were joined by two North East London ramblers to make n=9 on this walk. A mile or so into the walk we came across Lea Valley information boards announcing the good news that otters have re-inhabited the area. Would we see one? Further on we trundled, keeping our eyes eagerly peeled for otters. In a staffed hide we watched great tits and blue tits peck away at hanging bird seed while ducks hoovered up the residue underneath. No sign of any bitterns though, although they had been spotted further up the River Lea at Ware. Shortly after leaving the hide there was a wave of excitement as we all agreed we definitely, definitely saw an otter. It was a similar experience to definitely, definitely seeing the Loch Ness monster. Proudly continuing, after seeing the otter, we admired some of the excellent artwork around the lakes, the sculpture of a dragonfly being particularly good.
Passing the Olympic White Water Rafting Centre we headed into Whaltham Abbey for lunch. Fish and chips for a fiver, friendly staff and most importantly warmth. Refreshed, we all went off to explore the Abbey, the high street with its meridian line and the Abbey grounds which had poor King Harold buried in it.
Back in the nature reserve we admired more public art, before finally ending up watching the canoeists at the White Water Rafting Centre. Afternoon tea was taken there as well. A great day out in good company.
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