CROXLEY (Metropolitan Line- Watford)
For twitchers and kick samplers

Left out of station (note classical columns and coloured glass frontage). Cross road at island and go down Mill Lane (quite a slope). You will see the Grand Union canal ahead. Take the right hand path along the canal. This is a winding waterway full of interest, as the numerous houseboats moored along the way are somewhat eccentric – their owners certainly not mere week-enders. I saw a flourishing kitchen garden and numerous woodland encampments. There is also a pretty lock-keepers cottage. A few paths lead up into the woods, though they are a bit of a scramble. (Of course, you could take the public footpath that runs parallel to the canal at the bottom of Mill Lane and do the 'Circular Walk in Three Rivers.) Just after the second lock, (Lot Meade) you can leave the canal and take the Ebury Way through what used to be the famous Croxley Hall watercress farm. The vast expanse of lakes with water plants of all kinds can be glimpsed through woodland on either side of the raised cycle track, but the area is now given over to a private fishery and there is no public access. There are various options at this point. I turned back after a few minutes and followed the Ebury Way towards Croxley (signed Watford). You will see the lock below on your left. Although commercial buildings are just visible through trees on one side of the path, the view on the left is of meadowland and woods. Keep walking until you come to a half-hidden metal gate (the second one) with a notice announcing Croxley Moor Common. There is mention of cattle grazing, but I didn’t see any. The Common is quite wild, in spite of the presence of a pylon. At first I thought I might get lost, but there are several peaty paths that lead to the meandering and delightfully overgrown River Gade with its water forget-me-nots etc. Just keep going as straight ahead as possible – it only takes about five minutes to cross the Common. This is a popular place with serious bird watchers. From the records I see that the people I saw using telephoto lenses were looking at a male red backed shrike - wish I’d asked them what they were training their binoculars on, as I’ve never seen one. There were also a couple of parties of children kick sampling (I learned this term from one of them – apparently it’s a form of pond dipping). Whatever, they were wading happily in the middle of the shallow river among the watercress* clumps. I got the impression that this area of Croxley is a very good place for naturalists of all kinds and a respected community asset - no litter anywhere. Follow the river until you come to a sturdy metal footbridge by some buildings. Cross this and you have returned to the canal where you began.


*However tempting the leaves look in early summer, don’t eat the watercress, as, unless grown under controlled conditions, it can cause illness. Also, I’m sure I don’t really need to remind anyone, but do keep a very close eye on toddlers in any watery situation, however idyllic.
MAP

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