Route Section

London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP)

Section 12 (Uxbridge to Harefield West)

Description:

Another section dominated by water - the 'bluest' of the whole London Loop. Lakes formed from worked out gravel pits line the whole section, some feeding the canal with water. You pass four canal locks, a lockside tearoom and three canalside pubs, and there should be plenty of waterborne action, whether of wildlife or the human variety - boats and anglers.

From Oxford Road in Uxbridge the route generally follows paths beside the Grand Union Canal, but for variety makes a diversion around former gravel pits in the Frays Valley Local Nature Reserve, one of which is now a marina.

At Denham Lock are gathered no fewer than six routes: London Loop, Colne Valley Trail, Grand Union Canal Walk, Nine Stiles Circular Walk, South Bucks Way and Grand Union Canal Circular Walk. The section ends beside the Coy Carp pub near Coppermill Lock at Harefield West, start and finish of the Rickmansworth Lakes Circular Walk.

Interesting Places on or near the route:

Black Jack's Mill and Lock & Grand Union Canal
Colne Valley Regional Park

Boroughs which the route passes through:

Hillingdon

Distance:

4.5 miles ( 7.2 km)

Start:

Uxbridge (Oxford Road, GR 052-846)

Finish:

Harefield West (Coppermill Lane, GR 040-912)

Recommended direction:

South to north

Terrain and surface:

Mainly on firm and level canalside paths, but one short stretch on a rough track. No stiles. 200m beside roads

Signage:

This section is completely signed.

Temporary Diversions:

None

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs at Uxbridge, Widewater Lock and Harefield West. Tearoom at Denham Lock. Public toilets at Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre (500m off route)

Public transport and breakpoints:

Tube: Uxbridge
Buses: As above and at Widewater Lock and Harefield West

Links with other walks:

Grand Union Canal Walk, South Bucks Way, Colne Valley Trail, Nine Stiles Circular Walk, Grand Union Canal Circular Walk, Rickmansworth Lakes Circular Walk