River Lee Country Park stretches between Waltham Abbey in Essex and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, and this 1,000 acre park has a huge variety of activities to enjoy!
It’s 50 years since Lee Valley Regional Park began. Today the tapestry of award winning open spaces and world class sports venues provide hundreds of great days out– but it wasn’t always like that. Back in the 60s the Lee Valley was pock-marked with rubbish dumps, scrap metal yards, gravel pits and old industrial buildings.
The whole area has been transformed over the last 50 years. Whether you’re decidedly sporty or just thinking about getting a little fitter, if you’re looking for fun activities for all the family or interested in taking a little gentle exercise, Lee Valley is the perfect place to start.
Cycling or walking on traffic-free country trails, boating, climbing, horse riding, golf, athletics, even white water rafting – you can do all this and more in the Lee Valley.
A series of walks are being held to celebrate the 50th anniversary and on Sunday 12th November you can join a leisurely yet scenic route which explorers the areas of Stanstead, Amwell and Ware. Tucked away by the quiet Hertfordshire village of Stanstead Abbots, this walk will take in three wild flower meadows, three lakes and a wet woodland area as well as a stroll along the New River for the return leg of the journey. You will visit the most northerly point of the Lee Valley Regional Park in Ware.
The meeting point for this walk is in St Margaret’s car park which is in Stanstead Abbots, just off the High Street. This is a public car park which is about 150 yards past the level crossing on the left and the only public car park available in the village. Beware not to go into the car park immediately after the level crossing as this is the station car park and is chargeable. Grid ref. TL3846911954. Nearest postcode: SG12 8UZ
First main stop is Amwell Nature Reserve.Situated south of Ware, it supports internationally important numbers of wintering wildfowl and is one of four sites in the park that combine to form the Lee Valley Special Protection Area (SPA). You will return on the loop along the New River footpath and follow the flow of the water back in towards London.
This will be a wildlife abundant walk and you could see anything at this peak migration time of the year. Bring your binoculars and the guides will show you many species of bird and other wildlife as you walk round.
A Walk in the Park, Meet Stanstead Abbots Public Car Park, Sunday 12th November, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Visit the website to find out about the many other events and activities that take place in the park including more anniversary walks!
