Stage 17 of the London Spiral cuts across the north of the metropolis along an unexpected river – Pymmes Brook. I guess if you live in Southgate or Friern Barnet, you already know the stream, but it came as a surprise to me to find 10 miles of river flowing parallel to the Thames.
I first noticed it as we finished last month’s walk, by the clattering, mixed-up junction of Fore and Silver Streets at Edmonton, a stream in deep concrete walls heading under the street and out of sight.
Pymmes Brook culverted underneath Edmonton for its last mile, ’til it reaches the Lee.
For a walker Pymmes Brook offers some refreshment to the senses, especially so near the north circular, so it’s worth following its course for a few miles, from Edmonton through Arnos Grove to Whetstone.
http://londonist.com/2016/04/weeend-walks-the-pymmes-brook-trail
Meeting place: just outside Silver Street station, Edmonton. Take the overground from Liverpool Street station, train every 15 mins
Date & time: Sunday January 15th 2017, 1pm
Distance: the walk is an easy 7 miles
End point: Totteridge and Whetstone station,
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/2bRLJYNmotB2
Cost: No charge
Contact: tim.ingram-smith@virgin.net 077932 00932
There’s a spiral in the little park at the side of Silver Street station (click to see the spiral), presumably an old railway turning circle, as the tram lines are still there:
Here’s Pymmes river by Pymmes Park, Edmonton, fast flowing and contained in a brick and concrete channel:
Pymmes Brook near Broomfield Park:
Broomfield Park:
Pymmes Brook through Arnos Park:
A designer made some effort with this railing, then the council put another railing up:
The brook is getting narrower, as we follow it upstream:
Playing fields at Oak Hill Park :
A drizzly winter’s day. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Finished with a refreshment at Em’s Coffee on Totteridge High Road.
London Spiral Walk 