Route Section Lea Valley Walk

Section 4 (Lea Bridge to Three Mills)

Description:

Section 4 starts at Lea Bridge and finishes at Three Mill Lane, a distance of 3 miles.

Look out for passing narrow boats as the walk leaves the Old River Lea to run alongside the Lee Navigation canal. Walkers can take in a view of the Olympic Park and witness the transformation of the Lower Lea. Walkers might also see unusual plants, the seeds of which are thought to have blown off cargoes and barges.

Places of interest along this section are the Middlesex Filter Beds – now a nature reserve rich with butterflies in summer – and the nearby former Matchbox toy factory at Marshgate Bridge. The towpath crosses a branch of the Hertford Union Canal, then Old Ford Lock – which used to be important in the dyeing industry, and then as Channel 4’s ‘Big Breakfast’ TV studios.

The Old River Lea rejoins the walk here and as it passes under The Greenway, the Capital Ring leaves to travel out east. Further on is the former Bryant and May factory. A fantastic new towpath section is now complete, to avoid having to cross the dual carriageway at the A11 / A12 junction (Bow Riverside improvements).

There are picnic spots along the way and cafés and pubs at Lea Bridge and at Three Mills there is a supermarket.

The nearest station to the start of this section is Clapton Station and at the end of this section is Bromley-by-Bow (underground) station.

Distance:

3 miles ( 5 km)

Start:

Towpath at end of Southwold Road / North Mill Fields (TQ354867)

Finish:

Three Mill Lane (TQ380825)

Recommended direction:

North to south

Terrain and surface:

Riverside and towpath, flat and comfortable - however there is a ramp up to Three Mill Lane.

Refreshments and toilets:

Picnic spots along the way. Cafés and pubs at Lea Bridge and at Three Mills

Public transport and breakpoints:

Clapton Station (at start) and Bromley-by-Bow (at end - just 5 minutes away - for the underground).

For more information on public transport please see
Transport for London's Journey Planner.

Links with other walks:

Capital Ring section 13, Jubilee Greenway section 4

If you would like some short, easy walks in this area, download this map with 4 fun circular walks on it!

Map required:

You may find the following links useful:

Transport for London's Journey Planner
London 2012 website
Lee Valley Park website
Download maps 3 and 4 from the list on this page
You might like to order a free cycling map from TfL - map 2 and 4 for example. Note that the Lea Valley Walk isn't the same as the cycle route which is called the Lee Valley Pathway.