Brent Reservoir Walk (Welsh Harp)

When the sun makes an appearance, we all want to venture outside. But where to go in London to have a pleasant stroll without melting? Well, a walk around Welsh Harp, also known as the Brent Reservoir, comes as a nice surprise. Not so popular (except if you live locally), the Brent Reservoir offers shade and fresh air. It’s a perfect place for a nice day out with friends and family.

Technical sheet

30781232
A London Borough of Barnet walk posted on 15/02/23 by The Flamingo Hiker. Last update : 23/02/23
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.17 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 23 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 23 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 56 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 33 m
Boats Sailing on Welsh Harp
Welsh Harp from Cool Oak Lane Bridge

Description

Start: Hendon Railway Station, Station Road, Hendon, London, (NW4 4PT) TQ 2212 8830

(S/E) From the station, walk down Station Road (South West) until you arrive at the crossroad with the A5 (West Hendon Broadway). Turn left (South East) on the A5 and then take the third street on your right (South West) called Cool Oak Lane. Walk down Cool Oak Lane and cross the bridge (around 400m).

(1) After the bridge, take the footpath on your left (South West). Follow it alongside the Brent Reservoir in South West direction for 1.3 Km or so until you reach "Welsh Harp Sailing Association". When you reach the end of the reservoir, the footpath becomes a paved road called Birchen Grove.

(2) The road then turns to the left (South West). Continue on Birchen Grove for around 680 m.

(3) At the crossroad with Blackbird Hill, turn left (South East) onto Blackbird Hill and after 420m turn left (North East) onto Press Road. You find a footpath at the end of Press Road between Alderton Close and Janson Close. The footpath leads to the other side of the Brent Reservoir. Continue straight (North East) on the footpath for 320 m. The footpath then divides into 3 different paths.

(4) Take the path on your left (North West), leading towards the reservoir bank. Follow the path for 770 m.

"Please note that there are many different paths that you don't have to stick to the route. You can take your time and wander around the area"

(5) When you get to a pound (whichever path you took to go along the reservoir), turn left (North) to continue your journey. The path then bends towards North-East and then the East with the water on your left-hand side.

(6) When you arrive at the end of the right bank of the reservoir at the crossing between the footpath and Priestley Way, take the footpath on your left (West). Follow the path for 720m to close the loop around the Brent Reservoir. You are back at the bridge on Cool Oak Lane.

(7) Turn right (North East) onto Cool Oak Lane and retrace your steps back to Hendon Railway Station. At the crossroad with the A5 (West Hendon Broadway), turn left (North West) and after 230 m right (North East) onto Station Road, The station is a little bit further up that road. (S/E)

Hendon Railway Station, Station Road, Hendon, London, NW4 4PT (TQ 2212 8830)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 56 m - Hendon Railway Station
  2. 1 : km 0.84 - alt. 39 m - Cool Oak Lane Bridge
  3. 2 : km 2.19 - alt. 43 m - Birchen Grove
  4. 3 : km 2.86 - alt. 36 m - Neasden Lane North
  5. 4 : km 3.91 - alt. 40 m - Footpaths Junction
  6. 5 : km 4.67 - alt. 38 m - Pound
  7. 6 : km 5.64 - alt. 44 m - Priestley Way
  8. 7 : km 6.38 - alt. 41 m - Cool Oak Lane Bridge
  9. S/E : km 7.17 - alt. 56 m - Hendon Railway Station

Useful Information

Start/EndHendon Railway Station, Station Road, Hendon, London, (NW4 4PT) TQ 2212 8830.

Local Transports

  • Thames Link train to Hendon Station
  • Bicycle parking is available at Hendon Station
  • Carpark is available at Hendon Station
  • Alternatively there is a carpark at the North West corner of the Reservoir

Facilities

  • There are no public toilets on site
  • Public toilets are available at Hendon Railway Station
  • There is a coffee shop, Green Garden Center, on Birchen Grove (North West corner of the Reservoir) by the carpark
  • Picnic tables are available on both sides of the Reservoir

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

Find more details, pictures, and stories about this walk at The Flamingo Hiker here.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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