RICKMANSWORTH Metropolitan Line ( Amersham)
A lot of walking Or a peaceful wander – it’s up to you . . .
The Rickmansworth Lakes (formed from gravel pits), the Grand Union Canal and the River Colne combine to make this a very rewarding walk. I decided not to do the full circular walk, but plumped for exploring a couple of lakes and some of the towpath, so here are the directions for a walk of about four miles. From the Tube station turn right and go down under the bridge down Station Road to the High Street. Station Road, despite its uninteresting name, is a pleasant, narrow street that has one or two old buildings (somewhat disguised). When you reach the High Street go left and then cross right to Church Street where there are some more attractive old buildings.
Follow Church Street until the Batchworth roundabout. Here you can go down the steep steps on the left which lead directly to the lock, or walk to the centre of the bridge and cross at the zebra for easier access steps. The Batchworth Lock Centre Museum is situated in the old lock keeper’s house, but was shut when I visited. Turn right along the towpath, passing the huge Tesco on the other bank. Note the large sailing barge moored here. It has a banner appealing for help to ‘Save our Waterways’. Hopefully this will soon become redundant . . .
Just before the Frogmore Lane bridge turn into the path signed ‘Aquadrome’. Go through the car park, walking to the right, past a post marked ’Easy Access Trail’ . Don’t go straight ahead on the metalled path (unless, of course, you do need firm level ground), but turn left past a little café until you get to the sailing club. Here you will have to leave the waterside for a bit. A sign says ‘Lakeside Walk’ and it can be very muddy just here for a couple of meters. However, you will then find a made-up road that goes round the back of the club. Follow this until you get to a gate. Go through this and turn right, ignoring path to the farm on the left. A lovely view. Continue on this right-hand path between Bury Lake on the right and Stockers Lake on the left until just before the bridge over the River Colne. Take the path to the left between the river and Stockers Lake marked ‘to Springwell and Inn Lakes’. Go through another gate.
Here the walk is very beautiful, with the River Colne your constant companion on the right. Yet another gate and bridge after about twenty minutes. You may at this point be glad to discover a picnic table by the weir!
Go over the pretty wooden bridge. Stockers Lake will soon be on your right. At the end of the curving path is Springwell Lane. The car park for Springwell Lake is opposite. Go left, passing Springwell Animal Centre. After about ten minutes you will reach the canal . Go left again. There are a lot of permanent moorings here. It is always interesting to see the little gardens canal boat people make for themselves. One barge is lived in by a reflexologist and in another a folk singer was strumming happily to himself. Less comforting was the creepy industrial ruin nearby, complete with huge monkey dangling from the rusted frame as if from a gallows. Half-filled with vegetation, this mysterious skeleton broods over the canal in the most scarey way.
On returning to the canal, you will reach the turning to the lakes where you started from. Ignore this and continue until you reach the end of Batchworth Lake. If you turn left here you will find a block of WC’s, otherwise continue straight on the way you came, back to the roundabout. This time, instead of going all the way down Church Street, you might like to go down Bury Lane (first left after the church) which has some attractive cottages. Where the lane bends to the right there is a sign to the left - ‘The Bury’. This refers to a seventeenth century house built at a bend of the River Colne. Over the years it has suffered much alteration and its former extensive grounds are now a small public park. Returning to Bury Lane go right to the end to find the High Street and Tube station.
Note to birdwatchers: make sure you take your bin’s. The reed beds are full of warblers etc. For list click here
Rickmansworth 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!
© DR2007