London Loop: 5. Uxbridge To Moor Park

M@
By M@ Last edited 175 months ago
London Loop: 5. Uxbridge To Moor Park
Another picturesque lock on the Grand Union Canal.
Another picturesque lock on the Grand Union Canal.
The Coy Carp pub is a famous local landmark. Legend has it that the copper plating for St Paul's dome was hammered out at the copper mill formerly on this site. Nice beer too.
The Coy Carp pub is a famous local landmark. Legend has it that the copper plating for St Paul's dome was hammered out at the copper mill formerly on this site. Nice beer too.
Approaching Denham Lock
Approaching Denham Lock
Denham Lock is said to be the deepest on the Grand Union. It's height is necessary to carry it over the Frays River (a man made diversion of the Colne.
Denham Lock is said to be the deepest on the Grand Union. It's height is necessary to carry it over the Frays River (a man made diversion of the Colne.
Canoeists take to the water below the Coy Carp pub.
Canoeists take to the water below the Coy Carp pub.
This bollard marks the boundary beyond which residents would pay duty on coal.
This bollard marks the boundary beyond which residents would pay duty on coal.
After the Coy Carp, the trail turns away from the water and heads out over farmers' fields and woodland.
After the Coy Carp, the trail turns away from the water and heads out over farmers' fields and woodland.
Alongside Denham Lock, you'll find Fran's tea gardens, perhaps the most idyllic spot in the kingdom.
Alongside Denham Lock, you'll find Fran's tea gardens, perhaps the most idyllic spot in the kingdom.
Another shot of one of the many man made lakes in this area.
Another shot of one of the many man made lakes in this area.
Can you believe this is London?
Can you believe this is London?
One of many pleasant pubs en route, the Swan and Bottle is perhaps a little too near the start to cause a distraction. Oh, go on, then. Just the one.
One of many pleasant pubs en route, the Swan and Bottle is perhaps a little too near the start to cause a distraction. Oh, go on, then. Just the one.
The middle stretch of the walk is along a tight isthmus, bounded by lakes on both sides and the canal. Swans are plentiful.
The middle stretch of the walk is along a tight isthmus, bounded by lakes on both sides and the canal. Swans are plentiful.
Just a couple of hundred metres along the tow path we reach the picturesque Uxbridge Lock.
Just a couple of hundred metres along the tow path we reach the picturesque Uxbridge Lock.
You know, Uxbridge Station is surprisingly attractive.
You know, Uxbridge Station is surprisingly attractive.

It's been far too many weeks since part 4. Blame the Met line. The Metroland express has been out of action in its northern reaches at weekends for much of the summer. But thanks to the Charity Shield at Wembley last week, the Mercurial Purple was up and running. We pounced on our chance.

And, by the pipes of Pan, was it worth the wait. Leg five of our intrepid circumnavigation of London could only be described as 'lovely', even if you got both Gyles Brandreth AND Stephen Fry on the case, they would find no more appropriate word.

The first two-thirds of the route are in the aqueous company of the Grand Union Canal. Starting in Uxbridge, where chap and chav coexist in seeming harmony with business parks and clinical trial specialists, the canal strikes north past several larger bodies of water. Be sure to stop at Denham Llock to visit Fran's tea garden. She has both a canal and a river under her auspices, punctuated with dove cote, terrapin and a fearsome bust of Beethoven staring at a table full of second-hand books.

Then water, water everywhere for many a mile, before the welcome drop to drink arrives at the historic Coy Carp pub (legend has it that the copper for St Paul's dome was beaten here).

Post-pub the walk turns away from the canal and heads east through farm land and occasional woods. All very agreeable apart from the frequent overgrowth of nettles. Make sure you don't do this stretch in sandals and shorts.

We conclude in Moor Park, surely the most affluent stop on the network. This place is too posh for pavements and the typical house has four cars in the drive (well, as much of the drive as we can see). One property even has a box hedge in the shape of 1 Canada Square. It's a very different world from the cramped Met line home, full of chanting Chelsea fans.


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Last Updated 17 August 2009