West London: Celandine Route, Yeading Brook, Northala, Grand Union

I have recently explored some more trails in West London, based on two of London's 'forgotten rivers', the River Pinn and the Yeading Brook, map here.

These 'rivers' are in reality small streams and I imagine most residents scarcely know of their existence. The Celandine Route follows the River Pinn from the Grand Union Canal at Yiewlsey to Pinner (yes, that is how Pinner got its name). The Yeading Brook flows from North Harrow down to Spike's Bridge on the Grand Union. Paths beside the Brook are variously called the Yeading Brook Walk, Willow Tree Wander and, in the South Eastern part, the Hillingdon Trail (which I describe in more detail in a previous blog).

I have linked up these two river routes with, at the Northern end, a short but rather busy road connection through Pinner, and, to the South East, the Grand Union towpath via Bull's Bridge. In between, I have identified some cross cutting routes, namely Austin's Lane between Ickenham village and the Yeading Brook at Ickenham Nature Reserve, the excellent fast cycleway beside the busy A40 (allowing a worthwhile visit to the Northala Fields), and the quieter alternative, Charville Lane plus Sharvel Lane. All these routes form a 'mini-network' from which to pick-and-mix a variety of circular rides.

The paths are the usual mix of surfaces, from some good new tarmac and compacted gravel, to bare earth and grass. The latter were firm (if bumpy in parts) after our prolonged hot dry weather, but they will probably be very muddy after prolonged rain and outside summer, when they are best left alone. Barriers allow bikes through with a bit of shuffling or upending. Be sure to give priority to pedestrians.

The local Borough Councils - Hillingdon, Harrow and Ealing - are to be commended for rescuing, preserving and improving the open spaces along these river valleys providing green corridors with meadows, wild flowers and woodland contrasting with the busy surrounding suburbs. (Traffic was pretty subdued during the current Covid lockdown, although lots of people were enjoying said green corridors and open spaces, including a gratifyingly high number of families on bikes.)

There is much of interest along the way. Perhaps the most unusual landmarks are the mounds at Northala Fields, constructed beside the A40 from the rubble of the old Wembley Stadium, a sort of latter day Silbury Hill - what will archaeologists make of them millennia hence, I wonder. You can see a cross section of typical suburban estates: some council, some industrial, and some quite posh; some survivals of the original villages - for example the village pump and pond at Ickenham and the old barns at Ruislip; the Battle of Britain Bunker Museum in Dowding Park; Brunel University, RAF Northolt Airfield and the Polish Air Force Memorial.