The Route of the London Green Belt Way

The Green Belt Way is a 238.4 mile long distance path around London's green belt. It meanders through beautiful countryside and passes many interesting sites. Described here are some of the landmarks and history of the places you pass on the walk.

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S

   Hampton Court Palace to Staines-upon-Thames Pier

   20.88 km 13 m 10 m

   The start is inside the main entrance to Hampton Court Palace. The leg is mainly on the Thames Path and flat. It crosses the Thames at two points, Hampton Court and Walton Bridges. Diverts on road, through Lower Halliford, Old Shepperton and then again along the Thames, past, Shepperton, Chertsey and Penton Hook Locks to finish at Staines Pier and behind Staines Town Hall.

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2. 2

   Staines-upon-Thames to Windsor & Eton Riverside Station

   16.96 km 103 m 95 m

   Mostly towpath and parkland, there is a lot to see on this stage, so start early. The route crosses Staines Bridge, then follows the Thames before crossing the road at Runnymede.

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3. 3

   Windsor & Eton Riverside Station to Bourne End

   17.86 km 12 m 7 m

   The route follows the Thames Path all the way. At times the path can be narrow, so be aware. The route crosses Windsor Bridge to Eton, then turns left to follow the Thames Path past Boveney, Dorney Lake. Oakley Court and Bray Studios are soon visible across the river. Next is Bray Lock, then through Maidenhead, and Cookham to Bourne End.

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4. 4

   Bourne End to West Wycombe

   17.22 km 330 m 268 m

   First 2 miles are flat, along the Thames Path & Spade Oak Nature Reserve to Little Marlow. The rest of the stage is tough and very hilly with many steep climbs and mostly off-road thru'the Chiltern Hills. The route goes up around the back of High Wycombe to finish just past the National Trust owned village of West Wycombe at Pedestal Roundabout at junction of A40 and A4010.

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5. 5

   West Wycombe to Old Amersham

   19.71 km 217 m 210 m

   Tough from the start. Big climb up to Downley, then drop down thru' woods before climbing steeply to Hughenden Manor (National Trust). Immediately, descend again to follows Hughenden Stream, then climb up Boss Lane to Great Kingshill & rolling thru' Prestwood to join the South Bucks Way at Little Kingshill and follow it thru' Little Missenden. Then along River Misbourne thru' Shardeloes Estate, before diverting to Old Amersham.

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6. 6

   Old Amersham to Chipperfield

   13.02 km 149 m 109 m

   A tough walk through the rolling Chiltern Hills taking in Chess Valley Walk, Chilterns Way and Hertfordshire Way. Starts in Old Amersham, near St Mary's Church. Big climb up to pass Martyrs Memorial on the hill above Amersham, then through Chiltern Forest, Latimer, Flaunden and Chipperfield Common to finish at the Two Brewers Inn, Chipperfield.

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7. 7

   Chipperfield to St Albans Abbey Station

   14.49 km 123 m 175 m

   Starts at Two Brewers Inn, Chipperfield. Passes thru' Kings Langley where we join the Grand Union Canal for a short distance. Then thru' Bedmond & Potters Crouch before descending past the Roman wall into Verulamium Park and past St Albans Cathedral to finish at St Albans Abbey Station.

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8. 8

   St Albans Abbey Station to Hertford East Station

   24.38 km 67 m 105 m

   The stage starts at St Albans Abbey Station. Soon joins River Ver Path for 0.65 miles. Climbs to join the Alban Way (old railway line) all the way to and thru' Hatfield. Passes Mill Green Mill and follows Welwyn Centenary Walk thru' a golf course & The Commons Nature Reserve, then joins the Cole Green Way (old railwayline) to Hertford. Goes thru' the old part of this county town, taking in the castle and grounds, then joins the River Lea Navigation to just north of Hertford East Station.

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9. 9

   Hertford East Station to Cheshunt Station

   18.41 km 4 m 20 m

   Follows River Lea Navigation thru' Ware, St Margarets, Rye House, Dobbs Weir and Broxbourne, to finish on the River Lea Path a short walk east of Cheshunt Station. It's almost impossible to go off-course, unless you make a decision to jump into the canal or take a path away from it.

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10. 10

    Cheshunt Station to Epping Station

    18.76 km 157 m 96 m

    Follows the River Lea Navigation thru' Waltham Abbey & past Enfield Lock. We leave the Lea Valley Walk & join the route of the London Loop for almost 2 miles, along the River Lea, past Enfield Island, thru' Sewardstone Marsh & up into Epping Forest. Then thru' a golf course to Lippitts Hill & onto High Beach. There are a few very hilly miles up to and thru' Epping Forest and Bell Common to finish at Epping Station.

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11. 11

    Epping Station to Chipping Ongar

    12.38 km 76 m 103 m

    From Epping Station, we follow the Essex Way for our whole route. Thru' fields and an ancient track to Coopersale Street, then across fields to Gernon Bushes Nature Reserve. Cross over the M11 and go in a straight line towards Toot Hill. Thru' Toot Hill village and fields to Greensted and onto Chipping Ongar. Two videos at YouTube, one by John Rogers and a second by voxley19, both cover this whole walk.

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12. 12

    Chipping Ongar to Hutton Village

    19.57 km 102 m 97 m

    We divert off the Essex Way to take in some of the histories of this old town. Rejoin the Essex Way for a short distance, before leaving it for one last time. Then follow St Peters Way thru' High Ongar & most of the way to Blackmore. We follow St Peter's Way for over a mile to Fryerning then thru' the village & across fields to Mountnessing. A short walk thru' a housing estate & industrial estate to enter Hutton Nature Reserve to soon finish at Hutton Village.

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13. 13

    Hutton Village to Thames Chase Forest Centre

    17.45 km 87 m 137 m

    From wooden bus stop we follow Hutton Village, then off-road to the old church. We go cross-country to Ingrave, past the huge pile of Thorndon House & thru' Thorndon Park North. As well as the park, the route takes in many other properties owned by the Thames Chase Community Forest, including Warley Gap, Codham Hall Woods & Franks Wood. We pass thru' Little Warley, Great Warley and skirt the outside of Upminster on our way to the finish at the Thames Chase Forest Centre at Broadfields Farm.

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14. 14

    Thames Chase Forest Centre to Chafford Hundred Station

    17.71 km 73 m 63 m

    Starts at Thames Chase Forest Centre, the headquarters of the Thames Chase Community Forest, at Broadfields Farm. Route passes thru' the old village of Cranham, then Cranham Marsh Nature Reserve, Corbets Tey, Belhus Country Park, Belhus Chase & the town of Aveley. For the last two miles we follow the Mardyke Way thru' Davy Down, then thru' Stifford Green and Warren Gorge Nature Reserve to finish at Chafford Hundre Railway Station.

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15. 15

    Stone Crossing Station to Dartford Station

    10.84 km 16 m 24 m

    From start, we go north to soon join a path along the River Thames. Then turn left & upstream along the riverbank, soon under the towering Queen Elizabeth 2 Bridge which takes the M25 over the Thames. The River Thames is wide here & industry is evident, mainly on the opposite bank. At 3.5 miles we join the Darent Valley Path near the large Darent Creek Flood Barrier. We follow the path all the way to the finish, near Dartford Station.

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16. 16

    Dartford Station to Shoreham Station

    18.32 km 109 m 57 m

    We follow Darent Valley Path thru' Dartford, Central Park & past Brooklands Lake. Thru' the villages of Darenth, Farningham & Eynsford. A big climb up past Eagle Heights & drop back down past the Roman Villa remains. Then past Lullingstone Castle. Lullingstone Park Visitor's Centre, Shoreham Castle Farm and thru' fields to and thru' Shoreham village to finish near Shoreham Station.

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17. 17

    Shoreham Station (Kent) to Westmore Green

    18.05 km 311 m 165 m

    Follow Darent Valley Path across Darent Valley Golf Club. Join the North Downs Way & also soon rejoin the Darent Valley Path. At Dunton Green say goodbye to the Darent Valley Path for the last time. We divert from the North Downs Way to take in Chevening Church and Park. Follow the Pilgrims Way along narrow country lanes, then back onto the North Downs Way, before diverting along the Tandridge Border Path thru' Park Wood Golf Club and finish at Westmore Green.

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18. 18

    Westmore Green, Tatsfield to Merstham Station

    17.79 km 328 m 453 m

    The route is undulating and hilly at times. Follow the Pilgrims and North Downs Ways, but with a few diversions. Expect a few good climbs and one of the most impressive descents of the whole walk. You'll encounter: dark secrets; stately homes; Roman roads; ancient Celtic Temples; one of the UK's largest vineyards; the highest point on the North Downs Ridge; some great views to the north over London and the Weald; relics from world wars; our industrial past and great storms.

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19. 19

    Merstham Station to Box Hill & Westhumble Station

    18.35 km 257 m 303 m

    The stage starts outside Merstham Station, follows Station Road North. The route then joins the North Downs Way, then thru' the Royal Alexandra & Albert School and up on to Reigate Hill. At Buckland Heights we divert from the ND Way to stay on top of the Downs escarpment passing some great views. At Pebble Coombe we join an ancient trackway along Tye Lane to Headley Village. Then divert south thru' Headley Heath to rejoin the NDW over Box Hill and descend to finish at Westhumble.

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20. 20

    Box Hill & Westhumble Station to East Clandon

    16.74 km 195 m 146 m

    From the start, we climb thru' the village of Westhumble and up onto the Downs behind Denbies Vineyard. From the West Hanger picnic area we continue along the North Downs Way for just over half a mile then turn right to go north and gradually downhill off the Downs. Then, enjoy the views of West London and Heathrow Airport to the right and Woking in front. You can also stop off for refreshments at the Tillingbourne Brewery at Old Scotland Farm. It's a beautiful route, but be warned, it's hilly.

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21. 21

    East Clandon to Walton Bridge

    20.01 km 5 m 87 m

    We pass thru' the picturesque village of East Clandon, then thru' the Ryde Estate where we join the Fox Way and stay with it to Walsham Lock. Along lanes past Ockham to the historic village of Ripley. We follow a path across the Green then turn left to join the River Wey Navigation at Walsham Lock. We follow the Wey, mainly surrounded by green open space and pasture, thru' West Byfleet, New Haw, Addlestone and Weybridge to Thames Lock and finish on the River Thames at Walton Bridge.

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22. E

    Walton Bridge to Hampton Court Palace Maze

    14.64 km 13 m 10 m

    The route crosses the River Thames, going firstly north for half a mile to the Fordbridge Roundabout, then east thru' Lower Sunbury, past the Hampton Waterworks and through Hampton Village. We then follow a scenic route through Bushy Park and finish in the middle of the maze in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. It's a bit of a strange way to finish the walk, but you'll enjoy the scenery and the places you pass on route.

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