Route Section Capital Ring Walk

Section 9 (Greenford to South Kenton)

Description:

A very interesting section with some climbing and fine views. It starts beside the Westway Cross Shopping Park near Greenford station, and you soon enter Paradise Fields Wetlands, cleverly converted from the former Greenford Golf Course, where there is a pondlife viewing platform.

You join the Grand Union Canal Walk to share its towpath as far as Horsenden Hill. The route crosses a shoulder of Horsenden Hill with good views, but for an even better panoramic view you can divert at several points (on long flights of steps or a steep slope) to the summit at altitude 85m (279ft).

You descend through Horsenden Wood then follow roads through Sudbury Hill before starting the long and sometimes steep climb to the old village of Harrow-on-the-Hill. Here, in term-time, straw-hatted boys from Harrow School mingle with tourists and visiting parents in the tearooms and antique shops. You pass the scattered buildings of the venerable old school, then descend on grass across its playing fields to cross busy Watford Road, where great care is needed.

Finally you follow tracks past the straggling buildings of Northwick Park and St Mark’s Hospitals, then cross Northwick Park itself and a golf course to South Kenton station.

Distance:

5.5 miles ( 9 km)

Start:

Rockware Avenue, Greenford (GR 150-839)

Finish:

South Kenton station (GR 173-870)

Recommended direction:

Southwest to northeast

Terrain and surface:

Mostly level but with some fairly steep ascents and descents. On tarmac and rough paths or tracks, grass and pavements. One stile. 3.2km (2.0ml) beside roads

Signage:

Complete both ways. The logo is ‘Big Ben’ and text ‘Capital Ring’ in blue and green on white background.

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs at Greenford, Horsenden Hill, Sudbury Hill, Harrow-on-the-Hill and South Kenton. Cafes at Greenford, Horsenden Hill and Harrow-on-the-Hill. Public toilets at Horsenden Hill Golf Club.

Public transport and breakpoints:

Tube and Rail: Greenford, Harrow-on-the-Hill, South Kenton
Tube only: Sudbury Hill
Buses: at stations above plus Whitton Avenue and Watford Road

Links with other walks:

Grand Union Canal Walk

Map required:

Explorer 173

Principal promoters:

London Walking Forum, LB Ealing, LB Harrow, LB Brent

 

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