Transport for LondonRoute details
London Loop: Section 15 Hatch end to Elstree
| Walk facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 8.3 miles (13.3 km) |
| Location: | Harrow, plus some in Hertfordshire |
| Start: | Hatch End (Grimsdyke Road, GR 122-914) Get there with Journey Planner |
| Finish: | Elstree (Allum Lane, GR 189-963) |
| Factor: | London Loop: Section 15 Hatch end to Elstree |
| Recommended direction: | Southwest to northeast |
| Terrain and surface: | Undulating. Mostly on rough paths, tracks and grass. Seven stiles. 3.6km (2.3ml) beside roads |
| Points of Interest: | Grimsdyke, Harrow Weald Common, Bentley Priory, Stanmore Little Common and ponds, Aldenham Country Park and Reservoir |
| Signage: | Not signed at time of writing |
| Temporary Diversions: | |
| Refreshments and toilets: | Pubs and cafes or kiosks at Harrow Weald Common, Aldenham Country Park and Borehamwood. Public toilets at Aldenham Country Park (400m off route) |
| Public transport and breakpoints: | NR: Hatch End, Elstree & Borehamwood. LU: Stanmore. Buses at these points, also Oxhey Lane and Harrow Weald Common |
| Links with other walks: | Pinner-Grimsdyke Circular Walk, Bentley Priory Circular Walk |
| How to get the map: | Download it from www.walklondon.org.uk or call 0870 240 6094 |
| Principal promoters: | London Walking Forum, LB Harrow, Three Rivers DC, Hertsmere DC |
Walk details:
- This long section follows the green belt on the fringe of Greater London, crossing the Hertfordshire border several times.
- There are some longish stretches of roadwalking, but most of the time you are on tracks and footpaths through woods and fields.
- Together with the Pinner-Grimsdyke Circular Walk you walk beside Grim's Dyke, an ancient defensive earthwork.
- The heath and woodland of Bentley Priory, shared with the Bentley Priory Circular Walk, was once part of a large Royal Air Force station, now retreated to administrative offices behind high wire fences.
- From pretty Stanmore Little Common, a signed London Loop link with Stanmore station passes through the attractive nature reserve of Stanmore Country Park.
- After passing under the M1 motorway, great care is needed to cross a busy road into Aldenham Country Park - this needs improvement.
- You walk beside a reservoir where sailing dinghies may be racing, then cross farmland and skirt a golf course to reach the end of the section, very close to Elstree and Borehamwood station.
