NRAG member John Polley is leading five walks along the New River on Sundays in 2013.

Walks are normally around 15 miles (25 km) in length, but you can join or leave the walk at many points along the route. It's not unusual for the walks to finish at an attractive pub!

We do hope you can join us for at least one of them!

John has scheduled a total of five walks for 2013, with a special 400th anniversary walk on Sunday 29th September.

The 29th September this year marks the 400th anniversary of the completion of the New River when, after more than 5 years work, it flowed into the 'Round Pond' at New River Head, Islington. From the Round Pond, water was distributed in hollowed-out elm pipes to those in the city fortunate enough to be able to afford a fresh water supply. It was usually fed to the ground floor of dwellings, although it wasn't by any means a constant supply, and sometimes little more than a trickle! However, its water was certainly cleaner, safer & much more convenient than that carried from the River Thames or other sources by water sellers! The creation of the New River was one of the greatest engineering and mapping works of its time, and the New River Company was one of the first companies in the world, the first in the UK to be substantially financed by the King, and one of the longest-lived companies to have existed, operational for over 300 years. The New River is still supplying drinking water to London.

The walks all take place on Sundays, and all start at 10 a.m.

• 4th August - Old New River loops (Whitewebbs & Enfield Town)
• 29th September - 400th anniversary walk - Enfield to Sadlers Wells
• 20th October - Enfield to Hertford

John Polley 
07814 546772