Felonious Mongoose - Braidbar's 115th boat
The Lee Navigation connects Limehouse Basin to Hertford. It dates back to 1796, when it was canalised by Sir George Duckett (who also did the Hertford Union and the River Stort Navigation
Lee Navigation
Broad canal that takes boats up to 88 feet long - hence the very large barges (that mostly seem to be static.
Attractive once you pass the M25, it is none the less interesting before that.
The majority of it is within the Lea Valley Park - 10000 acres of mostly green space or water (including a lot of reservoirs) down the East side of London.
The locks mostly have steel gates, which makes them very heavy. There are some that 8 stone simply cannot move.
Maps
Nicholson's Guide 1, OS Explorer maps 162, 173 and 174
162 covers from Bow Lock to Old Ford Lock (just below the junction with the Hertford Union.
173 covers from Old Ford Lock to Enfeild Lock.
174 covers from Hackney Marsh to Hertford.
Hertford
There are good visitor moorings on Folly Island - though don't try parking a car on the island. During the day it is entirely residents only parking, and it is narrow and awkward to get to at any time. Unfortunately the moorings are on the opposite side of the river to the shops. Waitrose is the handiest supermarket.
All Saints church provides a huge variety of music. There is "Soundbites" - a regular programme of music through term times, and also full concerts in the church. Rick Wakeman was performing the week after we visited.
15 July 2010
Ware
Delightful town, and an excellent place to stock up on the couther items of food. Friday is the best day, because there is a fruit and veg stall just outside Byrons (see below). There is a Tesco a few yards away for veg and everything else on other days.
Byrons fine food (Denis Ashworth, prop, 68 High Street, tel 01920 460808) has some truly superb real cheese. Our favourite was Montgomary cheddar, from Somerset (within 20 miles of Cheddar!)
There is also a real butcher - Gannon's - on East Street.
East Street and High Street are both pedestrian only streets running in to each other.
Place House Hall is a medieval house restored by the Hertfordshire Buildings Preservation Trust. On our first visit to Ware there was a performance showing the life and music of Joan of Kent - the young lady whose garter was rescued by the Black Prince, leading to the foundation of the Order of the Garter. There isn't a great deal to see of the hall itself - indeed it is difficult to realise how old it is without looking at the roof timbers.
During July there is the Ware Festival - all sorts of things on, from a parade of boats at the start (3-4 July this year) to an all day rock concert at the Priory towards the end. Ware is certainly a town that enjoys showing itself off, and it does so well.
Plennty of moorings - the town moorings are just by the Museum, and the closest to High Street. Just and after Bridge 64 - The Town Bridge.
25 July 2010
Stanstead Lock
Stanstead Lock is an entertaining lock as we have found. There is a swing bridge over the lock, and there are only gate paddles. Strongly reccomend securing with the bow rope rather than the centre rope when going up.
Amwell Nature Reserve (run by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust) is well worth a visit for birdwatching. There are otters in the reserve, though looking at the records on the noticeboard they are mostlyin evidence by their spraint. (Look up the dictionnary if you don't know what an otter leaves beehind)
Lee Narrowboat Company run a small friendly moorings, - mains power available, but little spare space.
26 July 2010
Stanstead Abbotts / Saint Margarets.
A one horse (or one street) town, and the horse seems to have died. There is an impressive Kart racing track just before you get to it, after passing the junction with the River Stort. Saint Margearets has the advantag of a railway station, from which you can go to Hertford or Liverpool Street.
16 July 2010
Broxbourne
There is more to Broxbourne than nearby Stanstead Abbotts, but not much. The Crown is an old pub (200 years or so) just by the canal with some very pleasant real ales. The first time we passed, we ate there, - the problem was the severe shortage of staff against the very large number of people in the pub and the garden. Second time we just had a drink (and a very generous bowl of peanuts.)
27 July 2010
Waltham Abbey
An interesting town with the outstanding Abbey Church which is well worth a visit. Their guide book is probably the best presented church guide that we have seen anywhere. I hadn't realised that Harold (of 1066 fame) was Harold II! He founded the second church on the site, and is buried in the church yard.
The two photographs come from their site - to which the image is linked.
There is also a museum - though the hours are somewhat restricted, so we havent actually visited!
There is a small Co-op supermarket, a good butcher with a greengrocer next door, all on the main street.
There are decent moorings both above and below the lock.
28 July 2010
Ponders End - The Navigation pub
John (from Stanstead Lock) pointed this as an OK place to moor. Have only passed through. The pub did not seem to allow access from the moorings.
29 July 2010
Stonebridge Lock
Electric operation on East lock - non functional 29/7/10. The manual gear requires a totally ridiculous amount of winding to open the gates and paddles.
Springfield Marina / Springfield Park / Walthamstow Marshes
One of few places on the Lee Navigation to provide mains power, fuel etc. Down side is that fuel is only at 40/60. There are a lot of boats moored at Springfield, and the towpathe side around Walthamstow Marshes seems to be fine as well.
Springfield Park is worth walking through, but the major plus of stopping here is a direct bus route into central London.
30 July 2010
Bow Lock
Extensive visitor moorings around Bow Lock and Three Mills Island.
There is a branch of Tescos just opposite the bridge to Three Mills Island.
The down side of these moorings is District Line running over the railway bridge from 05:00 or so.
31 July 2010
End of Navigation
The Lee Navigation ends at Bow Lock, where you have a choice of going to the tidal River Lee, or joining the Limehouse Cut down to Limehouse Basin
Last updated
09-May-2011