Finding some nature in London is possible, and the Willow Tree Wander trail is one of those hidden gems in the heart of the capital. This 5.6-mile (9km) route takes you winding through tree tunnels, open spaces and parks of North West London. If you are looking for a simple walk and enjoy some fresh(er) air, the Willow Tree Wander trail is the perfect way to get outdoors without leaving the city. Here, you can expect to experience a variety of fauna and flora and, of course, willow trees! With this short article, we’ll give you everything you need to know to plan a successful trip to the Willow Tree Wander Trail.
Stuck in London because of a train strike or simply not in the mood to plan a day out in the countryside? Whatever the reason, the Willow Tree Wander is a great way to stretch those legs without going too far away. Let’s go on a London walk!
Logistics of the Willow Tree Wander
- Distance: 5.6 miles (9 km)
- Total Ascent: 59 ft (18 m)
- Highest Point: 171 ft (52 m)
- Lowest Point: 112 ft (34 m)
- Walking Estimate: 2 hours and 10 min
- Difficulty: Easy
How to get there:
- Picadilly and Metropolitan Lines to Ickenham Station, fare zone 6
For the return:
- Metropolitan Line from North Harrow, fare zone 5
What to Pack
- Comfortable clothing and footwear. It is a city walk so a pair of trainers is sufficient
- A small backpack or a shoulder bag with some energy bars and a bottle of water
Additional Information:
- There are public toilets at North Harrow Station
- This is a stile-free walk
- This is a dog-friendly walk
Where to Eat
- No pub stop on this walk
Highlights of the Willow Tree Wander
- Ickenham Marshes
- Stafford Road Open Space
- Ruislip Gardens
- Brook Common
- Roxbourne Park
- Yeading Walk
The Willow Tree Wander Trail
So now we covered the basics, let’s get to the walk.
Ickhenham
Our walk starts at Ickenham Station, London borough of Hillingdon. Whilst no significant historical events took place at Ickenham, surveys from the Museum of London found pieces of pottery dating back to Roman times. It is believed the site was abandoned after the fall of the Roman Empire.
When you exit the station, take Glebe Avenue in front of you. Walk up the road and at the end, turn left onto Austin’s Lane, which is the start of the Willow Tree Wander Trail. The trail is well indicated all along with signposts so it is easy to navigate.
Ickenham Marshes
The beginning of the Willow Tree Wander trail follows the route of the Hillingdon Trail, a 20-mile path from Cranford to Harefield. The track is mainly composed of tree tunnels and overgrown vegetation.
Quite surprisingly, this part of the walk is extremely quiet and I did not encounter any dog walkers or local strollers, while I did this walk on a Sunday. Maybe this side of London is underrated explaining there was not a single soul in the area.
At the end of this bushy section, you enter an open field where cows are grazing. Enter the field where the cows are and walk across it to get to the banks of the Yeading Brook.
The marshes in this area spread across a surface of 18.5 acres (7.5 ha) and are composed of tall grass offering the perfect habitat for long-winged coneheads. As the name of the trail suggests, the Yeading Brook banks provide the ideal condition for the willow tree to grow. The most common type of willow tree in the area is the cracked willow, which slips with fissures. The trees can measure up to 25 meters and have a dark brown bark.
It is not uncommon to also encounter foxes in this area, even in broad daylight, so be mindful of it if you are a dog walker.
Stafford Road Open Space
Continue your walk through the marshes and you soon arrive at the Stafford Road Open Space. This area covers approximately 17 acres (7 ha) of land and is composed primarily of hay meadows.
On the other side of the open space, you can see a tall brick wall with barbed wire and a control tower. At first. it may look like you are walking by a prison, but not at all. It is the RAF Northolt station, home to both military and civilian aircraft. It was opened in 1915 as a military school.
You arrive at a crossroad: one path is heading towards Stafford Road and the other one continues alongside the Yeading Brook. It goes without saying that we are following the trail by the water.
Ruislip Gardens
You then exit the footpath onto West End Road. Back to civilisation, walk under the railway bridge and cross over the road to enter the Ruislip Gardens. If you fancy a break, you can find the Bell Inn, a Wenzel’s Baker shop and some kebab restaurants on the main street.
Enter the park with the Jim O’Neil Playground on your right. There is no designated footpath on the ground, so simply walk across the football pitches and then turn right onto the next field.
Follow the Yeading Brook until you arrive at Victoria Road. Just before exiting the park, you come face to face with an interesting sculpture on a tree trunk.
Brook Common
Cross over Victoria Road and follow the footpath going alongside the back gardens of the houses on Torcross Road. This part of the walk is quite underwhelming and boring but at least you are not alone like at the start of the trail. You encounter many locals, working in their garage on the edge of the footpath, walking their dogs and playing with children on this long stretch of green land.
Towards the end of the path, the fences of the back gardens disappear and leave place to willow trees on each side. Cross over Field End Road and you enter Roxbourne Park.
Roxbourne Park
It is hard to imagine that 120 years ago the site where you stand now was an agricultural land stretching over 35.8 acres (14.5 ha). In 1951, the park was created and adjacent to it was a pipe storage from British Gaz, left undisturbed for many years. As such, nature colonised the site and it became a haven for birds. In 1995, the park was transferred under the management of the Borough of Harrow and still remains to this day.
One of the most exciting and unusual features of the park is the miniature railway. Family can enjoy a ride for as little as £2 sitting on top of a miniature steam train. A fun activity for grow-ups and little ones alike!
Continue your walk across the park. You arrive at an open land with trees’ trunks displayed on the ground in an ornamental way.
The open land leaves space for dense vegetation and tree tunnels. You pass by a red brick bridge before reaching the end of the park.
Yeading Walk
We are getting to the end of our walk. But before reaching North Harrow Station, there is one more park to cross. Named the Yeading Walk, because it follows the flow of the Yeading Brook, the park forms a corridor of 7.5 acres (3 ha) from Rayner Lane to Northumberland Road on one side and from Suffolk Road to Lincoln Road on the other side.
The site is composed of trees and ornamental shrubs and is classed as a “Site of Importance for Nature Conservation” due to the variety of plants and animals that inhabit the land. You can find various butterflies, dragonflies and birds such as the kingfisher.
When you reach the edge of the park, turn right onto the residential Northumberland Road. North Harrow Station is just a little bit further up that street on your left.
Happy discovery!
Willow Tree Wander Map
Do you want to do this walk? Simply download the GPS map for free by clicking on the download button below. Learn how to upload the map onto your navigation app by following my step-by-step guide here.
Final Thoughts on the Willow Tree Wander
In conclusion, the Willow Tree Wander Trail is an ideal outdoor getaway for any city dweller looking to experience nature in the heart of the capital. Regardless of whether you’re a keen hiker or simply looking for peace and solitude, the Willow Tree Wander Trail offers a designated space to relax and enjoy some greenery. With its diverse flora and fauna, and easy access, this trail is the perfect place for a nature getaway. So, why not set out on the Willow Tree Wander Trail?
And you, what is your favourite London walk? Let me know in the comments below.
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