BOSTON MANOR Piccadilly Line (Heathrow)

This is basically a walk along the Grand Union Canal. At first there are pleasant though somewhat scrubby fields and woodland along the towpath. It then gets a bit built up with mainly new housing but eventually you will reach the famous Hanwell Flight of 6 locks. By the locks an immensely long and tall wall flanks the towpath. This wall marks the boundary of the old Hanwell Mental Hospital, famous in its time for treating inmates with kindess in an era when this was by no means the norm. There are several square holes through which water from the canal could be pumped by hoses in the event of a fire, and an arch (bricked up) where the coal supplies were delivered. The hospital used to be self-sufficient in fruit and vegetables and if there was anything over it would be sent to market via the canal.

Just beyond the locks is an unique engineering feat of no great elegance, but considerable interest to Brunel fans. Called the Three Bridges, and one of his last projects, there are actually only two bridges, one takes the canal over a railway line far below, while the second bridge above carries the road (Windmill Lane).A bit creepy standing in the middle - you feel like the meat in a sandwich.

At this point you have a variety of options: retrace your steps to Boston Manor Tube, leave the canal path to catch a bus, or take a left turn at Lock 96 in the Hanwell Flight to walk along the Brent River path towards Hanwell.

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This is just one walk from the many to be found at London Tube Rambles. There are architectural gems, beautiful country views, historic places and whacky buildings to be found, even in the most unpromising areas covered by the Greater London Underground stations. Usually the places listed are within a mile of the Tube - often only five minutes walk away. If you reached this as an individual page via a search engine, you might like to go to www.londontuberambles.co.uk to see the other destinations explored . You'll be amazed at what's out there!

© DR2006