Route Developer: Chris Wingrove
Starting from Chisenhale Art Place, 64-84 Chisenhale Rd, E3 5QZ
[1] Turn right out of Chisenhale Art Place along Chisenhale Road. At the end go left along Kenilworth Road and then right along Bunsen Street. Turn right along Grove Road. As you approach a roundabout cross Grove Road using the zebra crossing, and at the roundabout cross Old Ford Road using another zebra crossing, just around the corner to your left. Enter Victoria Park through Crown Gate West.
[2] Once in the park continue straight ahead. Straight ahead is the lake, and next to it are public toilets and a café. Head to the left of these, with the lake on your right. After a short distance you will see a path leading to the canal off to the left. Take this, and then turn left along the canal towpath.
[3] You will pass Old Ford Lock. Continue on the towpath, up and down the slope and under Roman Road bridge. Just after the bridge turn left to enter Mile End Park.
(A) Mile End Park was once the camping point for Watt Tyler’s Peasant Army for the 1341 battle with Richard II. A long time after that in 1997 regeneration began in the park, splitting it into several themed sections.
Follow the path as it bends up and over the Ecology Pavilion. Where the path merges and becomes wider, head slightly left walking towards the canal and the large blocks of flats opposite.
[4] Turn left along the canal towpath, with the water on your right.
(B) The blue building on your left houses the Mile End Climbing Wall, one of the largest indoor climbing facilities in the UK.
Head under the bridge, and after a short red brick wall, turn left back into the park.
[5] Straight ahead are three paths, take the path on the right. This path heads up and over the Arts Pavilion.
(C) At the top of the rise you get a good view of Canary Wharf.
Follow the path ahead as it bends around the hill, heading back towards the canal. Don’t take the towpath as this point, instead keep to the path running around the hill. Ahead you will see a school.
[6] Follow the path past the school, and continue ahead up and over the Green Bridge.
(D) The Green Bridge serves as a pedestrian and cycle link between the sections of Mile End Park and crosses the busy Mile End Road.
As you come off the bridge keep going straight ahead.
[7] You will pass by gardens with fountains on your right. As the path swings around to the right you will see a line of black metal bollards next to an exit to the park. As you pass these take the path to your left, running alongside the canal. Follow this path as it joins the canal towpath, and double back on yourself so you are walking with the canal on your left.
(E) The canal is the Regent’s Canal, at this point close to its end at Limehouse.
[8] Pass under the Canal Road and Mile End Road bridges. As you come under Mile End Road bridge, head up and around the lock. Continue along the towpath, ignoring the paths leading back into the park.
[9] After a short distance you will pass the front of the Arts Pavilion on your right. Head under the railway bridge, and past the blue painted building. Keep walking along the towpath until you approach Roman Road bridge. Go right, off the towpath, and up onto Roman Road.
[10] Cross the road using the pedestrian crossing and then turn right. Cross Grove Road and continue along Roman Road. Take the next road on the left, Kenilworth Road. Walk to the end and then head right along Chisenhale Road to return to the starting point.