Meet at BOWES PARK station in time to catch the 1042 train. This train will have called at Alexandra Palace prior to this and will also stop at Palmers Green. Oyster pre-pay or Freedom passes can be used (you will need one of these since the next stage involves a bus on which cash fares cannot be paid).
We will travel to ENFIELD CHASE (arrive 1051). Then we cross the road and catch a 121 bus to ENFIELD ISLAND VILLAGE. The 121 will have started its journey at Turnpike Lane and will have run via Wood Green, Palmers Green, Southgate and Oakwood before reaching Enfield. If anyone would prefer to catch the 121 from one of these points please email me (by replying to this address) or phone me (07940 328011) and we will come to an arrangement regarding meeting.
Enfield Island Village isn't an island or a village and its only barely in Enfield. What it is really is a new housing development built on the site of the Royal Enfield Small Arms Factory, for a long time the supplier of rifles and pistols to the armed forces. Some of the original buildings remain and we will walk through them en-route to the River Lee Navigation at Enfield Lock. We then walk beside the canal to Waltham Cross. Here we will visit the 'White Water Centre'. This was built for the Olympics (for whatever sport it is that involves attempting to drown yourself in canoes). We will be able to watch a lot of frightened people attempting to do just that in some very impressive (though artificial) rapids. There is also a substantial cafe here where I propose to eat lunch, though you may prefer to bring your own food and drink and have a picnic.
After lunch we continue into Waltham Abbey to visit the Abbey itself. There has been a church here since the 7th Century. It was one of the largest churches in England and was an important place of pilgrimage. It was the last abbey to be dissolved by Henry VIII. King Harold is said to be buried 'somewhere' in the grounds (thanks Wikipedia). You can finish here if you wish. There are two buses per hour to Waltham Cross (for train to Tottenham Hale or bus to Enfield/Tottenham). Otherwise we continue on a footpath beside a tranquil stream, then skirting the huge disused Waltham Abbey gunpowder works that is now slowly returning to nature. Passing large lakes popular with birdwatchers we reach the Lee Navigation again. This we follow to near Cheshunt station. Refreshments are available (McMullens Hertford Ales) in a pub near the station if required.
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