Picturesque scenery in the unique Colne Valley, Rickmansworth circular walk

While looking at the map for our local walks, we were attracted by the Colne Valley Regional Park, but it took us some time to discover this area. We drove to Rickmansworth on an afternoon for a circular walk and this was a very good surprise. We were not expecting to find such a great natural reserve despite being on the edge of London.

The part we covered is a mosaic of farmland, woodland… and water! Lots of water! The Colne Valley Regional Park is made of more than 60 lakes and 200km of rivers and very rich in wildlife.

Description of the walk

The Colne Valley Regional Park lakes

Our walk started at the Ebury Play Area, crossing the bridge to Batchworth Lake and turning right to pass the Rickmansworth Water Ski Club. We followed Frogmoor Lane up to a T-Junction when reaching the next lake, Bury Lake.

The path on the right goes around Bury Lake and gives a good chance to see adorable ducklings, goslings and moorhen chicks at this time of the year (early May). There are many benches on the banks of the lake so that you can have a stop to watch them. Continuing on the path, take right at the T-Junction and pass through the kissing gate on your left.

The kissing gate opens on a grassland. On the other side of the meadow, a second kissing gate brings you to a path between Stoker’s Lake and the River Colne. Walking between bodies of water under trees gives to this long stretch a real countryside feeling. There are again lots of places to stop for a little break and relax while enjoying the scenery. The majority are fishing spots this time but you will still find a few benches on your way.

Cross a wooden bridge across River Colne to leave Stoker’s Lake, then walk around the smaller Inns Lake up to a kissing gate to join Springwell lane. Cross the street and a closed car park to reach the entrance of the footpath around Springwell Lake. A picnic table will welcome you if you are looking for a place for a foody break with a view. This lake is less maintained and as a consequence looks wilder, but still easily accessible even to an all-terrain pushchair. Walking around the lake, a vast reedbed will appear on your right at the extremity of the lake, which is also the furthermost point of our walk. It is the largest in the London area and is a real peace haven for wildlife.

The Grand Union Canal

Not long after, the footpath will join an access road (fenced) to some technical buildings on your right. Taking left, the road runs along the Grand Union Canal that can be accessed through a wooden gate in the hedge.

Taking on your left, walk along the Grand Union Canal, passing Springwell Lock (nb83) and further away Stokers Lock (nb82). The Grand Union Canal is the longest in the United Kingdom and links London to Birmingham, covering 137 miles just for the main line only. The towpath leads you along numerous charming narrowboats, with hills in the background giving the area a rural atmosphere. Besides, you can feel the slow pace of life and less stressful way of life chosen by the narrowboaters.

Pursue on the Grand Union Canal and turn left towards the Water Ski Club after passing the Tesco located on the other side of the Canal. The bridge to the Ebury Play Area, the end of our walk, is located just before the water ski club on your right.

Have you explored the Colne Valley Regional Park?

What do you think about this Rickmansworth circular walk?
Do you have a favourite local walk you would recommend?

Please let us know in the comments so that we can add them on our to do list!