Will you join us on this particularly beautiful walk in North London? Following section 17 of the London Loop from Cockfosters to Enfield Lock, we will explore Trent Park, once the home of the Sassoon family.

We will walk through the farmland of Enfield Chase and Hilly Fields Park and the Forty Hall Estate.
Enfield Chase was a 12th century royal hunting forest. Enfield’s woodland was described in the Domesday Book as providing food for four thousand swine, describing the woodland’s great size.

On our way we will pass Camlet Moat, a small moated island which is thought to have been the seat of Geoffrey de Mandeville during the reign of William the Conqueror. The 17th century Forty Hall now includes a museum; the house and gardens are worth a visit, although we won’t have time for that today.

We will follow a brook until we get to a small footbridge. Local legend says that at this spot, Maidens Bridge, Sir Walter Raleigh spread his cloak over a puddle so the Queen could cross without getting her feet wet. This dramatic act of gallantry suggested that he had completely lost his head over her; unfortunately for Raleigh he later literally did – he was beheaded!

How to get there:

We meet up at 9.15 am at Elephant and Castle station by the Northern Line entrance.
From there we will hop on the Northern Line to Kings Cross station, from where we can get on the Picadilly Line to Cockfosters, where we should arrive by 10.30 am.
If this is easier for you, then ofcourse, you can also meet us by the exit of Cockfosters tube station.
If you do aim to meet us at Cockfosters, please make sure you text me on 078 078 3456 4 to tell me you plan to do that, so we don’t get all worried that you are not there! 🙂

Terrain and length of the route:

This walk is 9.5 miles, 15 km
There are several gentle ups and downs, and two high-stepped footbridges. The walk is mostly on rough paths, tracks and grassland, and there are five stiles.

Toilets, food/drinks & what to bring:

I suggest we bring a pick-nick and enjoy our lunch outside, but if the weather isn’t very attractive for eating outside, there are some places we can stop along the way.
There are pubs and cafes at Trent Park, Forty Hall, Clay Hill, Turkey Street and Enfield Lock, and public toilets at both ends of Trent Park and at Forty Hall.
Don’t forget to bring something to drink for on the way.
This walk will happen in any weather, unless it is unsafe, so bring your waterproofs and (preferably waterproof) shoes with a good grippy profile.

Who can join?

Anyone who can comfortably walk 9.5 miles.
Feel free to bring a friend or family member, with or without poles. Nordic Walkers or not, that doesn’t matter, as long as they are Fit (enough) and Happy! 😊
Are you a Nordic walker but don’t have your own poles? Would you like to borrow some from me? Text me on 078 078 3456 4 and I will bring you some.

Cost:

£10
If you are one of our regular Fit and Happy Outdoors walkers I can recommend buying a ten-session card for £89. This card can be used on Explorer walks as well as our other Nordic Walking fitness walks.
(We also lead regular Nordic Walking fitness classes. These happen every weekday in Burgess Park/ Brockwell Park/ Sydenham Hill and Dulwich Park.)
If you are genuinely poverty stricken- £5
(Train tickets and food or drinks at café not included)

Need poles?

Don’t have your own poles? Would you like to borrow some from me? Text me the MORNING OF THE WALK on 078 078 3456 4 and I will bring you some. (please, please do not ask me days before, as I will forget and that will make us both unhappy!)

Thinking about buying your own?
Check our shop for a great range of poles. Too much choice? You might like to read this useful guide first. Feel free to give us a ring, we are happy to advise you on the best poles for your lifestyle, needs and wishes.

How to join this walk

New to Fit and Happy Outdoors? Please fill in the registration and health questionaire, which you can find here and email them to walks@fitandhappyoutdoors.com at least 24 hours before the session, mentioning in the header which walk you want to join. That will give us enough time to get back to you and discuss your needs and experience.

Please sign up for our Meetup Group to easily RSVP and find out when the next walks are.

Not on Meetup (yet)? You can also use this contact form: