We are getting close to the end! Yes we are back once again to cover another section of our very own journey around London. The Climbing Moss Heart of London Walk, as featured on Jauntly (Still working on this)!! And here is what you can expect to find if you to download the PDF and follow the route, from Cockfosters to Enfield Chase.
As we said this starts off at Cockfosters at the northern end of the Piccadilly Line, a short walk from the classic Art Deco Tube Station, sadly a lot is modernised these days but the ticket hall is still visible and many of the original features are still present. Head out and north from the tube station along the main road, back the way you came from the last section.
After a couple hundred metres you’ll find the entrance and driveway of Trent Park, head along the drive towards the car park and the Cafe where a half decent coffee can be found and the youngest barista we have ever seen (literally a 12 year old!). Then head across the country park itself – that is the main directions of the route.
In more detail, travel east along Limes Avenue, towards the Animal Sanctuary, then turn north into the forest, passing some gnarly old trees and down towards the lakes.
Cross between the waters and turn right to continue, alternatively you can head up the former carriageway to the northern edge of the park where a wonderful obelisk is erected on the hilltop, set there to announce the birth of George Grey, Earl of Harold, son of the park’s owners. This can also be a great spot to see Bird of Prey or just to eat lunch!
Then continue back towards the southeast corner, around the Japanese Water Garden (hopefully the waterfall will be turned on!!
We revisited a few months later to discover the water features turned off and the rockfalls and streams were dry!) But this does help when you cross the weir! At the southern edge of the garden is a weir with water just covering the top of the stone dam (by a couple of millimetres) and you have to step over this so don’t do this is open toe shoes (but then you shouldn’t ever do anything in sandals!) then enter the fields.
Walk through large fields until you reach some cottages, it seems you want to turn right and then left around them, but you really don’t need to, just keep going and you will circumvent the garden of the homes and find a wonderful tunnel through the trees. Follow the footpath and eventually find the bridle way. Be warned this could be muddy, a nightmare for those in Birkenstocks! (You were warned).
Just before the bridge of Merryhills Brook there is a path about 50 metres prior on the left, take this and turn to walk alongside the Brook, at the southern end of the large fields.
Cross the next bridge over the Brook and follow the path around and through the field, exiting via a gate onto Trentwood Side and follow it to the junction. Turn left on the main road and then wait for the bus up the long, loud and steep hill, or walk it for an extra mile to your journey.
Get off the bus at Enfield Chase by the Old Wheatsheaf PH. Do not be fooled by the signs for £3 beers in this pub. The signs is a trick and having been tricked we warn you. This place is in fact really expensive and the staff are truly horrid. Instead walk up the road to the station and end section 21 at Enfield Chase Station.
Well there we go another section for you to follow and come back next time for Section 21 and the start of the final leg heading south back to the Heart of London!
Climbing Moss 