The River Lea is one of the longest, and most important tributaries of the Thames  – taking a 42 mile journey from Bedfordshire to join the Thames at Bow Creek in East London. The Lea has formed the boundary between Saxon’s and Danes, been home to medieval mills, London’s furniture industry and flows through the Olympic Park. This series of walks will look at the history of the River Lea, tracing its course on its way to the Thames.

Meet up at Hertford North Station for a walk through the historic county town of Hertfordshire. You’ll pass the historic brewery buildings and the grounds of Hertford castle, once under siege by the French Prince Louis. The River Lea has become a wide river used by commerce in the 19th century, handy for supplying London with beer and malted barley. You’ll walk the Lea to Ware , which has a charming riverside stretch lined with wooden gazebos.

The walk is about 4 miles in total and finishes at Ware Station

Hertford North Station is about 30 mins journey from Central London by train