Pymmes Brook Trail
Encyclopedia
Pymmes Brook Trail is located in the London Boroughs of Barnet
and Enfield
and is just under 10 miles long. It is named after William Pymme
a local landowner between 1307-1327. The trail is between Monken Hadley Common
and the Lee Valley Leisure Complex
at Edmonton
or alternatively the River Lee Navigation
at Pickett's Lock
where the trail connects with the Lea Valley Walk
. The trail only follows Pymmes Brook
approximately as much of it passes through private land which is not open to the public. In its lower urban reaches much of the brook has been culverted
to alleviate the risk of flooding.
and then heads towards Monken Hadley Common. Just off the route is Beech Hill Lake (or Jacks Lake), the source of the brook. The first part of the route is shared with the London Loop. The trail now leaves the brook and detours through Victoria Recreation Ground
. The brook is rejoined at Oak Hill Park and then heads towards Arnos Park the path now passes through Broomfield Park. After leaving the park the path crosses the New River
at Oakthorpe Road. The brook can now be seen at Tile Kiln Lane before the path goes under A10 road and over North Circular Road
and then onto Silver Street where the path enters the grounds of Millfield Theatre
. From here the trail leads to Pymmes Park
and then to Fore Street, and the last opportunity to see the brook. Continue in a northerly direction along Fore Street to the junction with Plevna Road which is close to Edmonton Green. The path now follows the course of Salmons Brook
which skirts two cemeteries; the walled Edmonton Federation Cemetery and the Tottenham Park Cemetery to Montague Road. The trail now goes in a northerly direction towards the Cart Overthrown public house at the junction of Picketts Lock Lane. A life-size metal sculpture of a horse by Iain Nutting can be seen close by at Chad Crescent, off Montagu Road known locally as ‘Monty’. Passing over the Lea Valley Lines
railway bridge and the entrance to the Deephams Sewage Treatment Works
. Either walk to the Lee Valley Leisure Complex
where public transport can be found or continue to the River Lee Navigation
at Pickett's Lock
where the trail connects with the Lea Valley Walk
.
London Borough of Barnet
The London Borough of Barnet is a London borough in North London and forms part of Outer London. It has a population of 331,500 and covers . It borders Hertfordshire to the north and five other London boroughs: Harrow and Brent to the west, Camden and Haringey to the south-east and Enfield to the...
and Enfield
London Borough of Enfield
The London Borough of Enfield is the most northerly London borough and forms part of Outer London. It borders the London Boroughs of Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest...
and is just under 10 miles long. It is named after William Pymme
a local landowner between 1307-1327. The trail is between Monken Hadley Common
Monken Hadley Common
Monken Hadley Common is a Local Nature Reserve, Borough Grade I, in Monken Hadley in the London Borough of Barnet. It is owned by the Trustees of Monken Hadley Common....
and the Lee Valley Leisure Complex
Lee Valley Leisure Complex
Lee Valley Leisure Complex is located at Edmonton, London and is part of the Lee Valley Park. It was formerly known as the Picketts Lock Sports Centre. It now comprises an 18 hole golf course which borders the River Lee Navigation, camping site, indoor bowls club , multiplex cinema and restaurants...
at Edmonton
Edmonton, London
Edmonton is an area in the east of the London Borough of Enfield, England, north-north-east of Charing Cross. It has a long history as a settlement distinct from Enfield.-Location:...
or alternatively the River Lee Navigation
River Lee Navigation
The Lee Navigation is a canalised river incorporating the River Lea . Its course runs from Hertford Castle Weir all the way to the River Thames at Bow Creek. The first lock of the navigation is Hertford Lock the last being Bow Locks....
at Pickett's Lock
Pickett's Lock (lock)
Pickett's Lock is a lock on the River Lee Navigation in the London Borough of Enfield, England and is located near Edmonton, London. It gives its name to the surrounding area of Picketts Lock. In common with other locks as far as Ponder's End Lock it is large enough to take barges of up to 130 tons...
where the trail connects with the Lea Valley Walk
Lea Valley Walk
The Lea Valley Walk is a long-distance path located between Leagrave, the source of the River Lea near Luton, and the Thames, at Limehouse Basin, Limehouse, east London. From its source much of the walk is rural. At Hertford the path follows the towpath of the River Lee Navigation, and it becomes...
. The trail only follows Pymmes Brook
Pymmes Brook
Pymmes Brook is located in North London and named after William Pymme, a local land owner. It is a minor tributary of the River Lea. The brook mostly flows through urban areas and is particularly prone to flooding in its lower reaches. To alleviate the problem the brook has been culverted in many...
approximately as much of it passes through private land which is not open to the public. In its lower urban reaches much of the brook has been culverted
Culvert
A culvert is a device used to channel water. It may be used to allow water to pass underneath a road, railway, or embankment. Culverts can be made of many different materials; steel, polyvinyl chloride and concrete are the most common...
to alleviate the risk of flooding.
Course
The path can be accessed outside Cockfosters tube stationCockfosters tube station
Cockfosters is a London Underground station on the Piccadilly Line for which it is the northern terminus. The station is located on Cockfosters Road approximately 9 miles from central London and serves Cockfosters in the London Borough of Barnet although it is actually located a short distance...
and then heads towards Monken Hadley Common. Just off the route is Beech Hill Lake (or Jacks Lake), the source of the brook. The first part of the route is shared with the London Loop. The trail now leaves the brook and detours through Victoria Recreation Ground
Victoria Recreation Ground, Barnet
Victoria Recreation Ground is a public park in New Barnet in the London Borough of Barnet. It is one of Barnet's 'Premier Parks.It is mainly grassed with a children's playground, football pitches, tennis and basketball courts, a bowling green and a car park...
. The brook is rejoined at Oak Hill Park and then heads towards Arnos Park the path now passes through Broomfield Park. After leaving the park the path crosses the New River
New River (England)
The New River is an artificial waterway in England, opened in 1613 to supply London with fresh drinking water taken from the River Lea and from Amwell Springs , and other springs and wells along its course....
at Oakthorpe Road. The brook can now be seen at Tile Kiln Lane before the path goes under A10 road and over North Circular Road
A406 road
The A406 or the North Circular Road is a road which crosses North London, UK, linking West and East London. It, together with the South Circular Road, forms a ring road through the inner part of Outer London...
and then onto Silver Street where the path enters the grounds of Millfield Theatre
Millfield Theatre
Millfield Theatre opened in 1988 in the grounds of Millfield House on Silver Street in Edmonton, North London. It seats up to 362 in a variety of stage layouts....
. From here the trail leads to Pymmes Park
Pymmes Park
Pymmes Park is located in Edmonton, London and is bordered by the North Circular Road.-History:The area known as Pymmes Park dates back to 1327 when William Pymme built a mansion here. Prior to 1578 the estate changed hands several times until Thomas Wilson a statesman bought the estate in 1579...
and then to Fore Street, and the last opportunity to see the brook. Continue in a northerly direction along Fore Street to the junction with Plevna Road which is close to Edmonton Green. The path now follows the course of Salmons Brook
Salmons Brook
Salmons Brook is located in the London Borough of Enfield and is a minor tributary of the River Lea. - Etymology :Salmons Brook is marked thus on Rocque's map of 1754, probably named from the family of John Salemon of Edmonton mentioned in 1274...
which skirts two cemeteries; the walled Edmonton Federation Cemetery and the Tottenham Park Cemetery to Montague Road. The trail now goes in a northerly direction towards the Cart Overthrown public house at the junction of Picketts Lock Lane. A life-size metal sculpture of a horse by Iain Nutting can be seen close by at Chad Crescent, off Montagu Road known locally as ‘Monty’. Passing over the Lea Valley Lines
Lea Valley Lines
The Lea Valley Lines are three commuter lines and two branches in North East London, so named because they run along the valley of the River Lea...
railway bridge and the entrance to the Deephams Sewage Treatment Works
Deephams Sewage Treatment Works
Deephams Sewage Treatment Works is a sewage treatment facility close to Picketts Lock, Edmonton. The outflow discharges via Pymmes Brook into the River Lee Navigation at Tottenham Lock. The treatment works is in the process of being upgraded ....
. Either walk to the Lee Valley Leisure Complex
Lee Valley Leisure Complex
Lee Valley Leisure Complex is located at Edmonton, London and is part of the Lee Valley Park. It was formerly known as the Picketts Lock Sports Centre. It now comprises an 18 hole golf course which borders the River Lee Navigation, camping site, indoor bowls club , multiplex cinema and restaurants...
where public transport can be found or continue to the River Lee Navigation
River Lee Navigation
The Lee Navigation is a canalised river incorporating the River Lea . Its course runs from Hertford Castle Weir all the way to the River Thames at Bow Creek. The first lock of the navigation is Hertford Lock the last being Bow Locks....
at Pickett's Lock
Pickett's Lock (lock)
Pickett's Lock is a lock on the River Lee Navigation in the London Borough of Enfield, England and is located near Edmonton, London. It gives its name to the surrounding area of Picketts Lock. In common with other locks as far as Ponder's End Lock it is large enough to take barges of up to 130 tons...
where the trail connects with the Lea Valley Walk
Lea Valley Walk
The Lea Valley Walk is a long-distance path located between Leagrave, the source of the River Lea near Luton, and the Thames, at Limehouse Basin, Limehouse, east London. From its source much of the walk is rural. At Hertford the path follows the towpath of the River Lee Navigation, and it becomes...
.