Leisure and culture
Sports and leisure
Leisure activities
Health walks in Greenford, Northolt and Perivale
The following short walking routes can be explored independently using the maps and directions provided. The walks go through parks, open spaces, canal towpaths and residential streets in Greenford, Northolt and Perivale.
Horsenden Hill circular
Start and finish: Horsenden Farm, Horsenden Hill
Distance: 1.1 mile/1.8 kilometres
Transport: Tube Perivale Station (10-minute walk), bus 297
Parking: Limited parking at Horsenden Farm
Accessibility: This walk is not suitable for wheelchairs
Route map (pdf)
Horsenden Hill is a piece of ancient countryside in the suburbs,
now managed for nature conservation by Ealing's parks and
countryside service. This circular walk takes you to the summit for
some great views. Some slopes are rather steep, and paths can be
muddy after wet weather.
Directions
From the back of Horsenden Farm take the uphill path
straight ahead. At the top turn left and follow the path, up and
round to the right across a more open area. Where the paths cross,
go straight over then round to the right. The path widens and good
views open up to the west. Keep straight ahead as the path goes
slightly downhill, narrows, then climbs up to emerge by the car
park entrance. Turn right and walk through the car park, through
the gate at the end and continue along a path. After a while take a
path on the right where the tarmac path begins up to the top of
Horsenden Hill. Enjoy the fantastic views, as far as the Chilterns
on a clear day. The viewing platform and displays will help you
identify the sights. Follow the fence line right around the edge of
the clearing, ignoring a downhill path on the right. Keep the
bushes on your right. When you pass a golf green on the left, do
not take the steps downhill on the right but continue ahead to a
path where there are more good views ahead looking out over the
city. Take the track on the right that doubles back, and goes
rather steeply downhill and then round to the left. The path
becomes a grassy track. Follow the fence line round to the right,
and then take the path on the left back to Horsenden Farm.
To paradise and back
Start and finish: Horsenden Farm, Horsenden Hill
Distance: 2.2 miles/3.5 kilometres
Transport: Tube Perivale Station (10-minute walk), bus 297
Parking: Limited parking at Horsenden Farm
If starting walk at Paradise Fields:
Transport: Tube Greenford Station, Bus 92, 105
Parking: Signposted Paradise Fields at Westway Cross retail
park
Facilities: Refreshments and toilets at McDonalds at Westway
Cross retail park.
Accessibility: This walk is not suitable for wheelchairs
Route map (pdf)
This easy, level walk is along attractive canal towpath to Paradise Fields, a newly created area of park and wetland, with lagoons that attract wildfowl.
Directions
From Horsenden Farm, walk down to the canal. Turn right
along the towpath, through the sculpture trail and the decorative
wooden arch, to the pedestrian entrance gate. Turn left on the
pedestrian bridge to cross the canal, go down the steps and
continue along the towpath on the other side. Walk along the
towpath for quite a way. When you pass under a wooden footbridge,
turn left through a metal gate, then follow the path into Paradise
Fields. Follow the path to a viewing platform over the main lagoon
where you can watch the wildfowl. Retrace your steps to the start
to complete the walk.
(Alternatively this walk could be started from Paradise Fields, to Horsenden Farm and back).
Berkeley Fields
Start and finish: Berkeley Fields car park, Berkeley
Avenue, Greenford
Distance: 1.3 miles/2.2 kilometres
Transport: Tube Sudbury Hill (15 minute walk) and Greenford
(15 minute-walk), Bus 92 (to Oldfield Lane North – 5-minute walk)
and 187 (to Whitton Avenue East - 10 minute walk)
Parking: Berkeley Fields car park
Facilities: Refreshments and toilets at Ballot Box Public
House
Accessibility: This walk is not suitable for wheelchairs
Route map (pdf)
This is a circular walk entirely across grassy fields and ancient meadows, rather than on surfaced paths. In summer, pathways mown through the long grass make the route more clearly visible, but it is no problem if you stray from the route as all the land is open to the public. The fields will be muddy after wet weather and throughout most of the winter.
Directions
Start by the information board. Walk diagonally across
the large field ahead, passing between two large oak trees and
behind the goal posts. Head for the gap in the hedge opposite and
pass through it into a small field. Turn right to cross it, passing
through the gap opposite into a large open meadow. Head straight
across towards a large warehouse, but when you reach a fenced area
follow the fence line round to the left. When the fence turns a
corner, walk straight ahead through a gap. Go straight across the
field ahead and through the next gap in the hedge. Turn left and
walk along the edge of a narrow field, slightly uphill, keeping the
hedge on your left. Ignoring the opening on the left, continue to
the narrow point at the end of the field. Pass through into a large
field and keep straight ahead to cross it. Pass through the next
gap. Halfway across the field ahead, take the path on the right and
walk straight across a small field to the opposite corner. Pass
through the gap and turn right across the field towards the Ballot
Box pub, which you will now be able to see. Follow the tarmac path
past the playground, turn right in front of the wire fence around
the bowling green, then take a left path across a field to return
to the start.
Medlar Park, Rectory Park and Lime Trees Park
Start and finish: Northolt Library, Church Road (library
closed Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays)
Distance: 1.7 miles/2.8 kilometres
Transport: Bus 90, 120, 140 and 282 (to Northolt Library)
Parking: Limited on surrounding streets
Facilities: Café on Church Road
Accessibility: This walk is not suitable for wheelchairs
Route map (pdf)
This level walk links three parks using residential streets and a main road. The walk is on paths and streets so it is suitable in all weather.
Directions
Cross Church Road at the pedestrian crossing in front of
the library. Turn right along Church Road, first left down
Parkfield Road, and left into Parkfield Close. Go through the short
alleyway at the end into the park. Take the first path left towards
some houses, and follow it round to the right into Medlar Park. At
the first path crossroads go straight ahead, then at the next
junction turn right into Rectory Park. Turn left down the wide path
alongside the playing fields. Take the sandy path on the right,
then the left fork where the path divides. With the playground on
your left, turn right and walk through the adventure playground.
Carry straight on (passing changing rooms on your right) out of the
gate and along Parkfield Drive to Church Road. Turn left to cross
the busy main road at the pedestrian crossing, then turn right,
passing in front of a parade of shops and a café. Continue along
Church Road and take the first left, Langtry Road. At the end turn
left into Hawtrey Avenue. Cross over and take the first right,
Thorndike Avenue. Turn right in front of the play centre onto the
path into Lime Trees Park. The park was recently landscaped, and a
viewing platform on the right enables you to see the wildlife in
and around the pond. Continue along the path. Where it divides,
take the left path soon after, and at the path crossroads, walk
straight across. At the end of the path, go between two large
boulders into a short alleyway to Laughton Road. Turn right, cross
over and continue. Take the first left into Langtry Road and at the
end turn left along Church Road to return to the start at Northolt
Library.
Perivale Park and Athletics Track
Start and finish: Greenford Hall, Ruislip Road,
Greenford Broadway
Distance: 2.4 miles/3.9 kilometres
Transport: Bus E1, E2, E3, E5, E6, 92, 95, 105, 282
Parking: Pay and display car park Greenford Broadway
Facilities: Many cafés and shops in Greenford Broadway
Accessibility: This walk is suitable for wheelchairs
Route map (pdf)
Directions
After the slightly sloping pavements in Greenford Broadway,
this very easy walk is on level pavements and paths across Perivale
Park, round the Athletics track and back again.
Turn left from Greenford Hall and cross Oldfield Lane North at the crossing. Continue along Greenford Broadway to the busy crossroads with Greenford Road. Go straight over at the crossing into Ruislip Road East. Take the second left, Costons Lane. Cross over and a short way up you will see the path into Perivale Park on the right. Follow the path that goes straight ahead, then round to the left, then to the right in front of the bowling green. Carry on past tennis courts on the left to the athletics track. Keeping the stadium on your right, follow the path all around the outside of the track. It takes you through a gate and past the golf club house through the car park back to rejoin the path. Retrace the route to the start.
Marnham Fields, Bridge Farm and Smith's Farm
Start and finish: Entrance to Northolt and Greenford
Countryside Park, Millet Road/Marnham Crescent junction
Distance: 1.7 miles/2.7 kilometres
Transport: Bus E10
Parking: Limited in surrounding streets
Facilities: None
Accessibility: This walk is not suitable for wheelchairs
Route map (pdf)
A lovely walk in the new Greenford and Northolt Countryside Park entirely on canal towpaths and paths, so avoiding roads and traffic.
Directions
Enter the park from Millet Road and take the left fork.
At the next path crossroads, turn left. As you walk along you can
see the young trees of the newly planted Marnham Wood on your left.
Go straight over at the next crossroads to the canal, and turn left
along the towpath. Just before the road bridge, turn left up a path
onto Kensington Road. Turn right to cross over the canal, and
immediately turn right back onto the towpath to walk back up the
canal on the other side, passing a housing estate on your left.
Continue past a playground on your left, and a wooden canal bridge
on your right. At the next path junction go straight over and take
the right fork. At the end turn right towards the A40. Follow the
path around the pond and continue straight ahead. At the end turn
right. At the crossroads turn left over the wooden bridge. Carry on
straight ahead and turn right at the end to join the main path.
Before the metal footbridge over the A40 turn right to the
start.
Islip Manor Park, Belvue Park and Northolt Manor
Start and finish: Clock Tower, Mandeville Rd, Northolt
Village
Distance: 1.9 miles/3.1 kilometres
Transport: Tube Northolt, Bus 90, 120, 140, 282, 396, E10
Parking: Limited in surrounding streets
Facilities: The Crown and The Plough public houses, café and
restaurants on main road in Northolt Village
Accessibility: This walk is not suitable for wheelchairs
Route map (pdf)
An easy walk linking Islip Manor Park, Northolt Village and Belvue Park.
Directions
Turn left down Mandeville Road and cross at the crossing
in front of the petrol station. Turn left up Eastcote Lane. Turn
left into Islip Manor Park. Take the left fork of the path and
continue straight ahead. At the crossroads turn right and follow
the path, passing a multi-use games area and bowling green on your
right. Follow the path around the edge of the park, passing an exit
on your right. At the junction turn right and then turn left around
the playground. Take the next right and continue straight on to
leave the park by the gate onto Church Road. Turn right and cross
over at the crossing in front of a parade of shops. Turn left, then
right down Church Road. Cross Ealing Road at the pedestrian
crossing. Ahead you will see Northolt Village and St Mary's Church,
where cream teas are sometimes served in the summer. There are
gardens opposite the Crown where you can enjoy a rest. Turn right
along Ealing Road. The pavement goes through the edge of Belvue
Park. At the cul-de-sac at the end, turn left up Rowdell Road in
front of Belvue Park. In dry weather you can walk along on the
grass inside the rails instead of on the pavement. You will pass
Belvue School on your right then, opposite the entrance to the
football club and the mosque, turn left uphill to cross the park on
a new sandy path, heading towards the church and line of trees at
the top. Follow the path round and across a wooden bridge to come
out on Court Farm Road. Turn left to Ealing Road, then right to the
start
.
Ravenor Park
Start and finish: Greenford Hall, Ruislip Road,
Greenford Broadway
Distance: 1.6 miles/2.62 kilometres
Transport: Bus E1, E2, E3, E5, E6, E7, E9, 92, 95, 105, 282
Parking: Pay and display car park Greenford Broadway
Facilities: Many cafés and shops in Greenford Broadway
Accessibility: This walk is suitable for wheelchairs
Route map (pdf)
This very easy and level walk simply goes twice around Ravenor Park on paths.
Directions
From Greenford Hall turn left along Oldfield Lane South, then
left into Ravenor Park. Take the right fork and, with the
playground on your left, walk straight ahead. The path goes right
around the perimeter of the park, passing tennis courts on the
right. At the path roundabout, go straight across to the park
entrance and repeat the circuit. To finish, turn right out of the
park to the start
.
Grove Farm
Start and finish: Sudbury Hill Tube Station
Distance: 1.1 miles/1.76 kilometres
Transport: Tube Sudbury Hill, Bus 92, H17
Parking: Limited in surrounding streets
Facilities: Café, restaurant and shops in parade by station
Accessibility: This walk is not suitable for wheelchairs
Route map (pdf)
A short walk on the site of an old farm, with very little road walking.
Directions
From the tube station turn right, then right again down the
long drive of the David Lloyd sports club, passing a day nursery.
At the end take the path to the left of the clubhouse, coming out
on Bedser Drive. Turn left onto Lillian Board Way. At the end take
the path on the left, turn right through the gate and take the path
ahead down some steps. Ignoring the first path to the left continue
straight on and, before the end, take the second path on the left.
This goes slightly uphill and becomes a grassy track. Continue
straight ahead and, before the end, follow the path round to the
left and through a gap in the hedge. Turn right and walk round the
edge of the field back to the sports club drive. Turn right back to
the start.
Cayton Green and Oldfield Recreation Ground
Start and finish: Greenford Station (Central line and
local services)
Distance: 1.5 miles/2.46 kilometres
Transport: Tube Greenford Station, Bus 92, 105, E6
Parking: Limited in surrounding streets
Facilities: Café, restaurant and shops in parade by station,
The Black Horse, Railway Tavern and Bridge Hotel public houses
Accessibility: This walk is suitable for wheelchairs
Route map (pdf)
A simple and level walk on residential streets, linking a
couple of local recreation grounds.
Directions
From the station, cross over and turn right down Oldfield
Lane North. Walk right down to the junction with Western Avenue.
Turn left and almost immediately left again up Greenford Road. Just
past the entrance to Oldfield Primary School, cross Greenford Road
at the crossing. Turn right, then take the first left up Daryngton
Drive. Take the first left, Middleton Avenue. A little way up,
cross over and turn right into Cayton Green sports ground. Take the
path on the left around the playing field. At the end turn left
into Bennets Avenue, and almost immediately left again into Downing
Drive. Continue over Middleton Avenue to Greenford Road at the end.
Cross at the crossing and turn right, then left into Oldfield
Recreation Ground. Take the path round the left of the park and out
onto Oldfield Lane North. Cross over at the crossing and turn right
back to the start.
