[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 then carefully cross Hamlets Way to the left hand side. At the end of Hamlets Way cross Burdett Road using the double zebra crossing. Go straight ahead into Mile End Park, through the metal bollards. Watch out for cyclists on shared paths.
(A) Mile End Park is unusual. It was created as a result of a plan for London after the Second World War in the 1940s when many of the buildings in the area had been destroyed or badly damaged by bombing. They planned several green areas connecting different areas of London to the River Thames. As a result Mile End Park has been created from land brought into park uses over 50 years - much of it formerly housing and industrial buildings. Some of this land is separated by roads, railways and waterways. 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 led by Wat Tyler.
[2] As you approach another line of black metal bollards, cross the main path and then head to the left, by the park sign, 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. Listen out for the sounds of ducks and other water birds. There is a good view of Canary Wharf ahead. Watch out for joggers and cyclists. Continue past the lock, take care as there is a downwards slope after the lock. Listen for the sound of the water by-passing the lock. Head underneath Ben Johnson Road bridge and in a few yards turn left, a sharp bend that leads back to the road. Cross the road using the pedestrian crossing and then head left, and then soon afterwards right through the gates back into Mile End Park.
[3] 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.
(B) The Ragged School Museum is housed in a group of three canalside buildings which once formed the largest “ragged” (a charitable school dedicated to the free education of destitute children) in London. Doctor Thomas Barnardo opened this school in 1877 to give poor children a free basic education and for the next thirty-one years educated tens of thousands of children. It closed in 1908 by which time enough government schools had opened in the area to serve the needs of local families.. The Ragged School Museum Trust was set up and the museum opened in 1990.
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 to Southern Grove.