[For a summary of all my rides along the Grand Union Canal between London and Birmingham, see this blog.]
In previous excursions, I have cycled most of the Grand Union Canal (GUC) towpath between London and Birmingham. There are a couple of gaps to fill: between Kings Langley and Berkhampstead, and from West Drayton to Bull's Bridge. In this ride, I covered the latter, accomplished as part of a circuit exploring the southern part of the Hillingdon Trail.
On this hot sunny summer afternoon, I parked in Packet Boat Lane in Cowley, convenient to join the GUC towpath passing through West Drayton and Hayes to Bull's Bridge, where I headed north through Southall on the Paddington arm of the GUC. I picked up the Hillingdon Trail at Yeading. Rather like the Capital Ring, this Trail threads its way along a surprisingly green corridor through these North West London suburbs. The surface was mainly firm grass track, OK in a dry summer, but probably not advisable to cycle after wet weather.
The first few miles went well, but then I missed the correct path at the crossing of Kingshill Avenue, but circled back to correct my track. Up until this point the entry barriers had been of a kind to admit cycles: either kissing gates with generous 'holding space', or barriers shaped to allow handlebars through. But after I had passed through Ten Acres, I encountered a series of small kissing gates and stiles which implied 'bikes not welcome'. I got through with some difficulty so I don't recommend repeating the experience: stick to roads for this section.
Eventually I emerged in North Hillingdon, where I left the Trail and made my way through Uxbridge back to the GUC, to ride along the towpath to complete the circuit.
In previous excursions, I have cycled most of the Grand Union Canal (GUC) towpath between London and Birmingham. There are a couple of gaps to fill: between Kings Langley and Berkhampstead, and from West Drayton to Bull's Bridge. In this ride, I covered the latter, accomplished as part of a circuit exploring the southern part of the Hillingdon Trail.
On this hot sunny summer afternoon, I parked in Packet Boat Lane in Cowley, convenient to join the GUC towpath passing through West Drayton and Hayes to Bull's Bridge, where I headed north through Southall on the Paddington arm of the GUC. I picked up the Hillingdon Trail at Yeading. Rather like the Capital Ring, this Trail threads its way along a surprisingly green corridor through these North West London suburbs. The surface was mainly firm grass track, OK in a dry summer, but probably not advisable to cycle after wet weather.
The first few miles went well, but then I missed the correct path at the crossing of Kingshill Avenue, but circled back to correct my track. Up until this point the entry barriers had been of a kind to admit cycles: either kissing gates with generous 'holding space', or barriers shaped to allow handlebars through. But after I had passed through Ten Acres, I encountered a series of small kissing gates and stiles which implied 'bikes not welcome'. I got through with some difficulty so I don't recommend repeating the experience: stick to roads for this section.
Eventually I emerged in North Hillingdon, where I left the Trail and made my way through Uxbridge back to the GUC, to ride along the towpath to complete the circuit.
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| Where River Pinn joins GUC |
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| Improved towpath opposite West Drayton Station |
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| Another improved section of towpath |
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| Touch of the dark satanic |
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| More dark satanic, being demolished |
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| Bull's Bridge: the Paddington Arm of the GUC comes in from the left; straight on to Brentford |
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| Paddington Arm has a good towpath |
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| I joined the Hillingdon Trail at Yeading |
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| The Trail is being improved in places..... |
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| ....but remains flower meadow elsewhere |
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| Gate on Kingshill Ave, with mounting and dismounting blocks for horses (could use for bikes I suppose) |
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| Entrance barrier allowing bikes to pass |
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| Path through Ten Acre Wood bodes well for cycling..... |
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| ....but subsequent gates are not for bikes |
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| High Street, Uxbridge |
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| Uxbridge GUC Boatyard |
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| More typical (unimproved) towpath |
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