Route Developer: Chris Wingrove
Starting from Chisenhale Art Place, 64-84 Chisenhale Rd, E3 5QZ
[1] Come out of Chisenhale Art Place, turn left and walk along Chisenhale Road. At the end of the road cross over Old Ford Road using the zebra crossing, and then continue in the same direction. After a short way you will come to Gunmaker’s Lane on your left. Go along here, crossing Gunmaker’s Bridge.
(A) Gunmaker’s Bridge is a scheduled ancient monument. There are some benches here for those in need of a rest.
[2] Make your way down off the bridge and onto the Hertford Union Canal towpath.
(B) The Hertford Union was built between 1824-1830 to provide a tide-free passage between the rivers Lee and Thames, via the Regent’s Canal. Today it is a very quiet stretch of canal, perfect for walking!
Walk along with the water on your right. After a short distance you will pass the first of two locks. Head under another bridge towards the second lock. Just after the second lock you will find the ‘Growing Concerns’ garden centre. Head up the steps and walk through the garden centre to the right. Once on the road turn left and follow the road around to St Mark’s Gate. Enter Victoria Park through the large gates.
[3] Walk along the entrance road, passing a park information board on your left. Take the wide path straight ahead that bends away to the left, signposted ‘tennis courts’ and ‘model boat lake’. After a short distance you pass a café on your right where you can stop for refreshments. Just after the café you will pass tennis courts on your right, and a children’s playground on the left.
[4] At the next path junction, turn left along another wide path, signposted ‘pools’, ‘playground’ and ‘picnic area’. Continue down this path, passing the children’s play area on your left. As you walk along this path, you will pass football pitches on both sides.
Further along you will see a large building. This is a Grade-II listed drinking fountain from 1862.
At the end of the main path is the exit leading to Grove Road.
[5] Exit the park onto Grove Road, then head left and cross Old Ford Road using the zebra crossing. Continue along Grove Road, over the canal bridge. Turn into the first street you come to, Bunsen Street, and then turn left at the end up Kenilworth Road. Turn right at the top along Chisenhale Road to return to your start point.