[1] Come out of the Resource Centre and turn left along Southern Grove. Almost immediately cross Southern Grove. (To make use of dropped kerbs, cross diagonally at the building next to the Resource Centre). Once across Southern Grove turn right along Hamlets Way. Cross Eric Street and walk to the end of Hamlets Way before crossing to the left hand pavement. If there are building works blocking the crossing at the end of Hamlets Way, cross to the left hand side of the Hamlets Way immediately after crossing Eric Street as this is the most convenient point with dropped kerbs.
At the end of Hamlets Way turn left and immediately cross Burdett Road using the double zebra crossing. Go straight ahead into Mile End Park, through the metal bollards. Walk along the left hand, sandy coloured part of the path as this is the pedestrian one – this is the same throughout the park, and should keep walkers and cyclists separate! Keep straight ahead towards a large path junction.
(A) Mile End Park was planned for construction after the Second World War, when many of the buildings in the area had been destroyed or badly damaged by bombing. The park was finally completed in the late 1990s following a grant from the National Lottery. It now comprises over 90 acres of green space, split into sections. In 1381, 60,000 Men of Essex camped here and met Richard II at Mile End, on 14 June 1381, during the Peasants' Revolt.
[2] As you approach another line of black metal bollards, cross the main path and then head to the left along a smaller path that leads down to the Regent’s Canal. Once on the towpath turn left, walking with the canal on your right. Take care along the canal as it is well used by joggers and cyclists. Continue past the lock, take care as there is a downwards slope after the lock. Head underneath Ben Johnson Road bridge and continue along the canal, all the way to Limehouse Basin. As you pass the Salmon Lane Locks you should be able to feel underfoot the raised brickwork which helps the lockkeeper pull the balance beam when opening or closing the lock gates. Just before you arrive at Limehouse Basin there is a tunnel under the Commercial Road - take care as there is low headroom.
[3] From here you can take a tour round the Limehouse Basin – the pathways are level and pretty wide. There may be trouble taking a wheelchair across the lock at the far side, the bridge is quite narrow.
(B) Limehouse Basin, built by the Regent's Canal Company,was formerly known as Regent's Canal Dock and was used by seagoing vessels and lighters to offload cargoes to canal barges, for onward transport along the Regent's Canal. Although initially a commercial failure following its opening in 1820, by mid 19th century the dock (and the canal) were and enormous commercial success, partially due to the need to transport coal to the numerous gaswork and electricity generating stations along the canal. At one point it was the principle entrance from the Thames to the entire national canal network. The Docklands Light Railway is carried on a viaduct originally built for the London and Blackwall Railway above the original wharves along the north side of the basin. Beyond these, the Commercial Road Lock leads to the Regent's Canal.
Once back at the junction between the canal and the basin, turn back retracing your steps along the canal. Shortly after an old tall brick chimney and as you approach Ben Johnson Road bridge, branch off from the canal towpath and walk up towards the road.
[4] Cross Rhodeswell Road, using the pedestrian crossing, and then head left, and then almost immediately right through the gates back into Mile End Park. Follow the path straight ahead, again keeping to the sandy coloured side. You will pass Mile End Stadium on your right and the Ragged School Museum on the left.
(C) The Ragged School Museum opened in 1990 in three canal side former warehouses in Copperfield Road. It faces the western edge of the park south of Mile End Road. The buildings previously housed Dr Barnado's Cooperfield Road Ragged School.
Keep going along this path until you return to the big path junction where you previously turned off for the canal. Turn right here, away from the line of bollards and back to the exit onto Burdett Road. Cross using the zebra crossing. From here, retrace your steps along Hamlets Way and Southern Grove to return to the Resource Centre.