Moor Park to Harrow WalkDate: Sun Nov 27th Organiser: Helen W Cost: Free (quarterly surcharge payable by casuals) Activity: A 10.5 mile linear walk which follows the London Loop - section 14 - for its entirety and section 15 for about a third of its length - with an optional finish after 5 miles. We make our way from Moor Park station, across Sandy Lodge golf course and through the ancient Oxhey Woods down to Pinnerwood Farm. At this stage there is the option of cutting the walk in half by leaving the trail where section 14 of the London Loop finishes at Hatch End station - total distance of 5 miles (see end for travel options)**. Continuing with the full walk, we cross farmland heading north and then east along section 15 of the London Loop, past the famous Grim's Ditch and Grim's Dyke Hotel; and onto Harrow Weald Common where we can stop for refreshment. Lunch can either be taken at 'The Case is Altered' pub or with own sandwiches if preferred (max stop 45 mins). We continue across the fields past Bentley Priory (home of Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain) and here we leave the London Loop section 15 to turn south across Heriot's Wood, passing by the attractive Stanmore Deer Park. On the edge of the houses now we continue south across Stanmore Golf Course and enter the urban area as we head for Harrow & Wealdstone station. There is the opportunity with just one mile to go for a second stop and maybe a festive beverage or two at the popular and reasonably priced 'Duck in the Pond' pub in Kenton Lane. From here it is a 20 minute stroll to Harrow & Wealdstone station in the built-up area to complete the walk. At Harrow & Wealdstone station it is very easy to get back to Harrow on the Hill station if travelling by train back to Moor Park - all buses which call at Harrow & Wealdstone station also call at Harrow on the Hill station and are very regular. Total distance for the whole walk is 10.5 miles. **If cutting the walk short at Hatch End station you can take a London Overground train two stops from Hatch End to Harrow & Wealdstone and from there take the bus onto Harrow on the Hill if returning to Moor Park. If you wish to walk from Harrow & Wealdstone station to Harrow on the Hill station its an additional 1.2 miles (about 25 mins). Estimated total time with lunch and another stop at the Duck in the Pond is 5.5-6 hours. If we are off at 9:30 prompt, keeping a reasonable pace we should be in the urban area by dusk. Advisable to bring a torch just in case we are delayed in the woods. Refreshments: The Case is Altered Public House or own sandwiches. Please note we will not stop for lunch until we reach The Case is Altered on Harrow Weald Common - this is about 2.5 to 3 hours into the walk. If cutting the walk short at Hatch End station there will not be a lunch stop but we may have time for a 10 minute 'breather'. These timings will be important to ensure we catch the best of the day's light and don't get stuck in the woods in the dark. Bring suitable footwear for potentially muddy conditions. Travel: Metropolitan line to Moor Park for start. Finish at Harrow and Wealdstone station - Bakerloo line. There is a small car park at Moor Park which is likely to have space early on a Sunday morning - cost all day on Sunday is £1.00. There are two car parks at Harrow and Wealdstone station on both sides of the station with lots of spaces however this is more expensive than Moor Park costing up to £5 on a Sunday. May be a good option if car-sharing and fee-sharing. Start: 9:30am prompt at Moor Park station (Metropolitan line), Sandy Lodge Lane, Rickmansworth, Herts, HA6 2JQ Finish: Around 4:00pm at Harrow & Wealdstone station (Bakerloo line, London Overground, London Midland and Southern), High Street, Harrow, HA3 5BP Links: |
|
|
