It’s a beautiful summer day, starting at Waltham Abbey in Essex to do a circular walk through the Lea Valley Country Park, a route that touches river locks, wide lakes, meadows, sculptures and a thousand-year-old grave before coming back to where it began.
Lee Valley Regional Park stretches for around 26 miles through London, Essex and Hertfordshire, covering roughly 10,000 acres of wetlands, waterways, meadows and former industrial landscape. This particular route sits inside River Lee Country Park, the roughly 1,000-acre wetland heart of the valley between Waltham Abbey and Broxbourne.
The Route, Waypoint by Waypoint
After walking along the main road, turn right onto a tarmac path towards Waltham Lock on the River Lea Navigation. Cross the lock, then turn right along the towpath.
A bridge crosses the River Lea Navigation here. From this point the walk continues along paths beside the water, surrounded by peaceful countryside and greenery.
The route follows Bowyers Water on the left, though the water itself is hidden through the trees at first. Keep going and it opens into a genuinely impressive wide view over the lake.
Cross a footbridge and pass a series of sculptures along a lovely wide path that curves gently through the park, with more artwork appearing further along the route.
The walk continues through pleasant surroundings, past the railway station and through a car park, before returning to open, peaceful countryside.
Cross another bridge to find yourself walking between two lakes, one on the left and the other just visible through the bushes on the right.
The route switches onto an unmade path, a nice change from the wider tarmac, running parallel to the River Lea Navigation through open countryside.
Join the towpath of the River Lea Navigation with Cheshunt Lock ahead, then cross the Lea at the lock and continue along another pleasant path.
A wide tarmac path runs with the old River Lea on the left, winding through the countryside with a lovely view across the lake to the right. Water, trees, open fields and quiet paths make this one of the most peaceful stretches of the whole walk.
Cross a huge field along a narrow but clear path, bushes alongside, and join the Greenwich Meridian Trail: a clear path with a hedge running alongside it, heading towards Corn Mill Meadows.
One of the most beautiful parts of the walk: peaceful and open, with plenty of greenery and lovely views as the path passes through the meadows. It’s easy to drift slightly off route here, but a path beside the Corn Mill Stream soon reconnects with the main trail.
The stream adds another lovely feature to the walk, and in the distance Waltham Abbey, the starting point, comes back into view as the finishing point too. Cross a small bridge over the Corn Mill Stream and continue towards the abbey.
The walk passes through a tunnel beneath the Waltham Abbey bypass road, over another footbridge, and through a gateway in the wall into the churchyard of Waltham Abbey, where the grave of King Harold, famous for the Battle of Hastings, marks a genuinely historic ending to the route.
Which Lee Valley Do You Want?
This walk sits inside River Lee Country Park, but the wider regional park covers three counties and many different kinds of day out. Choosing the right section matters more here than in a compact city park.
Wildlife
Fishers Green, Seventy Acres Lake and the Wildlife Discovery Centre.
Family Day
River Lee Country Park, with the farm, sculpture trails and a short wetland walk.
Gardens
Myddelton House Gardens, a self-contained eight-acre botanical destination.
The Wildlife Discovery Centre
Fishers Green is one of the easiest places to understand Lee Valley without trying to take in all 26 miles at once. The Wildlife Discovery Centre overlooks the reed beds of Seventy Acres Lake, with a discovery room, viewing windows, wildlife cameras and an observation tower.
Grounds
Open daily from 8:30am, with seasonal evening closing between 5:30pm in winter and 9:00pm in midsummer.
Discovery Room & Tower
Normally 10:00am–4:00pm, subject to staffing. Admission is free; Fishers Green parking is charged separately.
Parking Deserves Attention
River Lee Country Park has multiple parking areas that do not all behave like a single conventional attraction car park. Several use ANPR, machines are card-only, and charges apply at all times.
| Stay | 2026 Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £1.50 |
| Up to 2 hours | £2.70 |
| Up to 3 hours | £4.20 |
| Over 4 hours | £6.30 |
| Annual permit | £85 |
Blue Badge holders can park free once registered with the Authority in advance. Lee Valley White Water Centre and Broxbourne Riverside have separate parking arrangements.
Water Safety
Lee Valley contains a huge amount of water: rivers, navigation channels, former gravel pits and large lakes. These should not be treated like ordinary shallow park ponds. General swimming is not permitted, and former gravel pits can be deep and cold with steep banks. Use only authorised venues and organised sessions for swimming or water sports.
Getting There for This Walk
By Train
Cheshunt and Broxbourne are the most useful stations for this stretch of River Lee Country Park, allowing one-way variations if you don’t want to complete the full circuit.
By Car
Waltham Abbey town centre and nearby car parks give direct access to the start of the route. Check current parking charges and any closures before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Waltham Abbey circular walk?
The route described here takes in Waltham Lock, Bowyers Water, Cheshunt Lock, the Greenwich Meridian Trail and Corn Mill Meadows before returning to Waltham Abbey. Allow a relaxed morning or afternoon to complete the full loop at an easy pace.
Is Lee Valley Regional Park free?
Most open spaces and walking routes are free. Parking and specialist attractions such as the Animal Adventure Park and White Water Centre charge separately.
Can you swim in the lakes along the route?
No. Swimming is not permitted informally in Lee Valley’s lakes and channels. Use only authorised swimming or water-sports venues.
Where is King Harold’s grave?
In the churchyard of Waltham Abbey, reached through a gateway in the wall near the end of this circular route.
Research Method
This guide is based on a personal circular walk from Waltham Abbey through River Lee Country Park, combined with independent research. Route details follow the waypoints encountered on the day. Opening times, parking charges, current path closures and wildlife centre details were checked against Lee Valley Regional Park’s official visitor information.
Official & Useful Sources
- Lee Valley Regional Park: Official Visitor Website
- Lee Valley Regional Park: River Lee Country Park
- Lee Valley Regional Park: Wildlife Discovery Centre
- Lee Valley Regional Park: Walking and Running Routes
- Lee Valley Regional Park: Parking
- Lee Valley Regional Park: Current Open-Space Updates
Last checked: 10 September 2026
Author
Steve visits every park featured on Ekskluzivet Park in person, checking practical details against councils, park operators and official sources. Every guide is based on a personal visit, and the photographs published with it are his own.
About Steve