While a certain sporting event in 2012 has transformed the area west of Stratford, the Lower Lea Valley between Stratford and the Thames still retains a post industrial feel. In this two hour walk Rob Smith looks at the industrial heritage of the area, and the fantastic Victorian (and earlier) architecture that remains. He will talk about how the Lea was important to the development of London. You will see buildings associated with railways, printing, canals, sewage, mills, shipbuilding and gas supply, and see what is planned in the area for the future.

Some reviews of this walk

“I did this walk with two friends on May Bank Holiday Monday. Rob Smith was fascinating and, even though I am a borderline River Lea/lLee obsessive, much of what I heard was new to me and that which wasn’t was refreshingly and engagingly presented. Thoroughly recommended.”

“A really interesting and unusual walk. Rob Smith has clearly done a lot of research and come up with a walk that you probably wouldn’t think to do unless you knew the history behind it. His knowledge and approach to the area brings it alive and puts it’s current context into perspective. Highly recommended.”

“Thoroughly enjoyed this lecture. I’ve already done several walking tours of the area but everything on this one was something new and interesting to me. I really liked the Guide style as well. It wasn’t “look how funny people used to be” sort of history. He was very respectful of previous lives, projects and hopes, which really brought it to life.”