スタンモアコモンでののおすすめグラベルライド

Crossing point between Whipendall Woods / Whippy Trails and Cassiobury Park

About 1922, the land between the River Colne and the canal was taken over by Rickmansworth Gravel Company. Building in the capital was booming and gravel was in demand. Extraction at the site began and the resulting pit became Stocker's Lake. The original Wembley stadium was built at around this time and many have since speculated on the possibility of a Wembley Connection? Dredging and gravel extraction continued until the 1940s. In 1947 Rickmansworth and Uxbridge Valley Water Company purchased Stocker's Lake (an area of 93.7 acres) for £5000 as the dredging agreement had expired. This was to protect the aquifer and pumping sources at Stocker's and Springwell. The company became Rickmansworth Water Company in 1985 and later part of Three Valleys Water Company, eventually Affinity Water, the present owners. In the 1970s Stocker’s Lake became a nature reserve and day to day management was assigned by the water company to Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

The land on which Stocker's Lake now stands was once part of Stocker's Farm which is still there today. Records from 1427 show that the farm already existed and was owned by John Stockere or Stocker. In 1861, Stocker's House was built for the Corporation of London to house the Collector of Coal Dues on the Grand Union Canal. Stocker's House cost £850 to build and the first tenant was Mr. Charles Browton. The dues he collected were, for example, 4 shillings per ton of wine and 12 pence a ton of coal. However with the railways becoming increasingly popular it was decided to sell the house and in 1869 Lord Ebury offered £300

The Ebury Way is a flat, traffic-free cycle path between Rickmansworth and Watford. Shaded for hot days and dotted with scenic bridges, it also features a wooden hut café at Batchworth Lock (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) – ideal for a bacon sandwich by the canal. Keep an eye out for quirky touches like George Michael street art!

The start of the Paddington arm and the this part of this canal was open on 1801. Length is 13.5 miles

Can get very muddy and pools of water towards Mount Pleasant Lane

This charming historic mill along the Grand Union Canal has been beautifully transformed into residential apartments. Its picturesque setting beside the canal creates a scenic backdrop.

Batchworth Lock No 81 is a minor lock on the Grand Union Canal. The Grand Union Canal Walk passes here.