Route Section

London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP)

Section 17 (Cockfosters to Enfield Lock)

Description:

A long and very rural section. From Cockfosters station you are immediately in Trent Park, once the home of the Sassoon family, whose mansion across the lake is now part of Middlesex University. Then you follow Salmon's Brook through the farmland of Enfield Chase. A stiff climb leads to a busy road (The Ridgeway) and a descent into the valley of Turkey Brook. You follow this most of the way to the end of the section, passing through Hilly Fields Park and the Forty Hall Estate.

At Clay Hill you briefly encounter the Hertfordshire Chain Walk. At Forty Hill you cross the New River Path and pass the spot where Sir Walter Raleigh is said to have famously laid down his cloak for Queen Elizabeth I to step on. The rural surroundings come to an end as you approach Turkey Street, passing its station. You cross two high stepped footbridges over the Great Cambridge Road and the railway line at Enfield Lock, with Albany Park in between.

Boroughs which the route passes through:

Enfield

Distance:

9.1 miles ( 14.7 km)

Start:

Cockfosters Station (GR 281-964)

Finish:

Enfield Lock (Bradley Road, GR 364-984)

Recommended direction:

West to east

Terrain and surface:

Several gentle ascents and descents and two high stepped footbridges. Mostly rough paths, tracks and grassland. Five stiles. 2.0km (1.3ml) beside roads

Signage:

Complete both ways

Temporary Diversions:

None

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs at Clay Hill, Turkey Street and Enfield Lock. Cafes at Trent Park, Forty Hall and Turkey Street. Public toilets at both ends of Trent Park and at Forty Hall