Marshes and Nature Reserves on the Lee Navigation

Monday, 29 August 2011 18:30

Totally unexpected, though we had seen hints on the map, were the areas of green on the towpath side as we continued up the Lee Navigations.

The rail bridge at Hackney Wick - very urbanised

However we had a little way to go before we began to see them .......

There are new builds all around Hackney, by the Navigation.

The Navigation at Hackney Wick

There were moored boats under one of the bridges on both sides - it is actually two bridges

Boats under East Way Bridge

I was not sure if this tree sculpture was meant to represent anything; there are charm-like adornments on it and it is attached to an old BW work boat!

Tree on a pontoon

Marshgate Bridge brings about a change in the character of the navigation. Whilst there are housing estates on the off side, the wide expanse of Hackney Marsh is on the towpath side. It was almost countrified!

This is known as Hackney Cut

The Marsh was a former haunt of highwaymen and filled with rubble from the second World War bomb damage. Hackney Marsh is now one of the largest playing fields in London - except when the Olympics is on, then it will be a car park!

Now we began to encounter the long lines of long term moored boats that we had been told are characteristic of the Lee Navigation. As the navigation is wide here we did not have to slow right down to tick over though.

Moored boats below Middlesex Filter Beds

Middlesex Filter Beds were built in 1852 to supply London with clean drinking water. They are now a walled nature reserve with more than 200 different plants, 60 species of birds and 14 types of butterfly. There is artwork there too, which apparently is a "must see". However, as there was no space to moor, we carried on.

Entrance to Middlesex Filter Beds

The weir beyond Pond Lane Bridge - below is the River Lea

I wonder if the Princess of Wales pub is a contributory factor to the attraction of mooring around here!

Pub by Lea Bridge

Suddenly there were lots of seagulls around - this lot were enjoying a good view of the River

Seagulls all in a row

A modern estate on the off side occupies the bank near Turnover Bridge. We found a good mooring above the bridge, below the towpath which changes sides at the aptly named modern bridge.

Turnover Bridge

We had a satellite signal, blackberries to pick and a supermarket in Charlton within walking distance over the bridge.

We were moored among a number of boats - one of which floated by us without anyone on the tiller! We and a passing cyclist (who knew the owner) rescued it and moored it behind us. We think, but have no proof, that it was "let go" by persons unknown. We had a couple of wonderful sunsets whilst moored here

Moored boats and Turnover Bridge at sunset

Looking forward the clouds just "hung".

Limehouse Cut and River Lee Navigations, Limehouse Basin to Charlton
2 hours 31 minutes, 5.15 miles, 1 lock