A 4½ mile circular walk following waterways of the Lower Lea from Bromley-by-Bow tube station (District & Hammersmith lines). The Lea Rivers Trust produced a leaflet (Heron Walk) for a shorter walk which avoids steps. Refreshment facilities are limited. There is a Tesco store (24 hours) at Three Mills and Tony's Cafe in Carpenter Road industrial area. There is also an organic cafe at the Old Poplar Library building (open weekdays 9-3). The House Mill with shop & cafe is open to the public Sunday afternoons May - October. Tel 01992 702200. This area will change completely with the preparations for the 2012 Olympics. Proposals include a press centre between the Lea Navigation and St Thomas Creek, a stadium between the Old River Lea and City Mill River and an aquatics centre between the Waterworks River and Stratford High Street.

From the station use the subway to cross the main road and go south along this. At Devas Street take the slip road (Gillender Street) alongside
This passes former warehouses and a fire station of 1910. At the end of the street is the the 15th century Grade II* listed Bromley Hall and the restored Poplar Library building.

Just past this take the subway across the main road and return northwards along this as far as the canal (Limehouse Cut). Go down and take the floating towpath back under the main road. Cross over Bow Locks via the ramp and continue to follow the path between the river and the canal. Go right onto Three Mills Island.
The House Mill is on the left and the Clock Mill on the right. Ahead the old distillery buildings are now in use as film studios.

Go to the right between these buildings and the Clock Mill and follow the riverside path ahead. Cross the bridge to the right and continue along the river path (signposted Abbey Mills).
The bridge crosses the Prescott Channel, dug for flood relief in 1931-5. Pieces of the demolished Euston Arch were found in this area. The gasworks occupy the site of Congreve's Rocket Factory. Further along on the right is Channelsea Island, site of the Abbey Mill owned by Queen Maud and gifted to Barking Abbey, which was finally demolished in WWII.

Take the path up to the Greenway and go left
The Greenway was laid out as a cycleway/footpath on the Northern Outfall Sewer between Wick Lane, Bow and Beckton. The signage is made from sections of sewer pipes. To the left is the grand Abbey Mills Pumping Station with its modern replacement behind and on the right are workers cottages.

At Stratford High Street cross at the traffic lights to the left and rejoin the Greenway.
The cream faced building with a depiction of street sellers was the box factory of Yardley's, famous for their lavender products. It was designed by Higgins & Thomerson in 1937.

In a short distance the Greenway crosses the Waterworks River. Just across this take the path down to the left (signposted Blaker Road).
This leads to the disused City Mill Lock.

Go to the right to follow the City Mill River which goes under the Greenway and then the railway.
The area between these provided a turning place for barges.

Cross over Marshgate Lane and go down the steps opposite.
These lead down to Carpenter's Road Lock.

Go to the right, cross over the lock to the left then take either the top path to the right or go down to the riverside path (both emerge at the same point). Go left along Carpenters Road.
There are old and new factory buildings along this road. Tony's Cafe is signposted to the right if open.

Just before the canal bridge go down to follow the towpath to the left. (Note: to detour to Victoria Park cross the canal bridge and go down to the left. In a short distance the path follows the Hertford Union Canal to the right). Continue the walk along the Lee Navigation to Old Ford Lock.
The former lock keeper's cottage was used as the basis of a location set for TVs Big Breakfast programme. On the other side of the waterway was the Percy Dalton peanut factory. The path crosses the old River Lea then goes under the Greenway again and further along the railway.

Take the path over the Bow Back River (going off to the left) then go up to the main A11 road and cross with care. Continue along the main road ahead for a short distance then rejoin the towpath by taking a turning to the left (marked with discs in the pavement). The path leads back to Three Mills Lane with the mills to the left and Tesco's store ahead. To return to the station go right alongside the store, left along the slip road and left at the main road where a subway gives access to the station.

© london-footprints.co.uk 2005

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