[1] Come out of the centre and turn right along Russia Lane. Walk along Russia Lane, crossing several side streets. When you reach a T-junction with Bishop’s Way, turn left and then cross Bishop’s Way using the zebra crossing.
[2] Continue to the left, and after a short distance take the first right along Mowlem Street. Cross Wadeson Street, and then take the next left along Vyner Street. Turn right at the end of Vyner Street (into Cambridge Heath Road) and cross over the Regent’s Canal.
[3] Look out for the gap in the wall and turn right and go down a flight of steps to reach the towpath. Continue ahead along the towpath, with the water on your right. Pass some newer housing on your left, and shortly afterwards you will see an exit from the towpath. This is also the Canal Gate entrance to Victoria Park.
(A) Victoria Park was laid out on former Crown land between 1842 and 1846. It was designed by Sir James Pennethorne, a student of Regent’s Parks’ designer John Nash. The area was originally parkland, although it had begun to be damaged by excavating for gravel. The park has a really varied history. In the 19th Century, it was a centre for public political debate. This political history is still evident today: the Rock against Racism music concerts still take place in the park. In the Second World War, the park was mainly closed and was the site of a massive anti-aircraft battery.
[4] Enter the park, and take the path that branches off to the left. Follow this as it bends round to the right and shortly it will merge with another path. Turn left here, following the main perimeter path. Cross over the main entrance to the park and continue along the perimeter path. Shortly after the white park building, go through 2 sets of gates.
[5] Once through the gates , cross to the right hand side of the perimeter path. Pass two path entrances on your right, and then take the third path on the right. Follow this down to a large path junction with a shelter containing benches. At the junction, keeping ahead, take the second path on the right heading towards a park information board. When you reach this turn right, passing some benches.
[6] After a short distance you pass the end of Victoria Park Lake on your left. The lake is home to many species of wildfowl; how many can you spot? When you reach the main perimeter path; turn right, go through the first set of gates and turn left to cross the bridge over the canal and exit the park through Bonner Gate. Turn right, pass the public toilet and into Sewardstone Road.
[7] Where Sewardstone Road turns sharply left, follow the road round to the left into Waterloo Gardens. Continue along Waterloo Gardens, cross Bishop’s Way using one of the pedestrian refuges. Towards the end of the road, keep to the right hand side and use the pedestrian path to reach Bonner Road.
[8] Turn left along Bonner Road, use the raised crossing to cross over Bonner Road and the roundabout turn right into Approach Road. Turn into the next road, Robinson Road, and at the end turn left into Russia Lane to return to the centre.