Walking with Keilyn: Walthamstow to Hackney Marshes... and beyond

Looking north along the River Lea.

Sunday September 1, 2024.

Today was the last chance for Keilyn and I to make a walk around London, before she heads back to school on Wednesday.

So, after having to plan a new route, due to certain lines being closed, we set off on the London Overground (Lioness line) to Euston, where we changed to the Victoria line to Blackhorse Road.

From here it was just a short walk south on Blackhorse Road to St James Road, then Station Road, before turning right on Markhouse Avenue.

Presently we came to our first visit of the day... Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum. We were greeted by one of the volunteers who explained that the museum is free to enter, run by volunteers and makes its money through donations and the hiring of some of its exhibits. 

Keilyn in the cab of one of the 1967 Stock Victoria line trains.

Our first stop was to the two 1967 Stock Victoria line carriages, with Keilyn heading straight to the driver's cab. Buttons were pushed and levers were twisted and I didn't think I was going to get her out of there.

Overseas Fire Memorabilia.

Eventually, I convinced her to leave the train and to explore more of the site. So, we headed to the Fire Museum. For its small size this museum packs quite a lot of memorabilia, appliances, badges, uniforms and much more into the space. 

As seen in 'London's Burning'.

The fire engine was the one used in the early seasons of the TV series 'London's Burning', which was quite cool to see.

The Marshall steam engine.

From here we headed to 'The Engine Shed', where various engines and pumps were displayed, some of which were working, before we entered the Grade II listed Victorian pumping station, which houses two Marshall steam engines and a collection of of smaller engines and pumps. It was fascinating to read the history of the items and to see these marvels up close. At noon one of the Marshall steam engines was set running, which was a joy to behold.

Liverpool Street to Chingford line.

In the Boiler House, accessed from the main pumphouse, a model railway had been built, with its various engines running along the tracks. It is based on the Liverpool Street to Chingford line and was very impressive to behold. 

One of the volunteers spoke to us about its origins and the plans for the model railway in the future, to which I offer them every success.

Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum.

We then headed to the Refreshment Hall, where we purchased freshly made rolls, a cake and a drink, which we ate outside on the benches. We followed this by checking out the trains again, before checking out the shop, where Keilyn bought a magnetic bookmark and a Spitfire Mark 1 Glider, and then headed off to continue our walk.

Middlesex Filter Beds Weir.

South Access Road took us to Argall Avenue which led to Argall Way and then Lea Bridge Road. We followed this until we reached the River Lea.

Keilyn sitting on 'Nature's Throne'.

We followed the River Lea, passing the ISS Flowthrough, before reaching Nature's Throne, where we sat in the shade as the temperature had begun to soar. Keilyn busied herself by assembling her Spitfire Glider and then sent it soaring through the skies. A couple of adjustments and it was soon flying well.

Looking across to Stratford and Canary Wharf.

Thankfully the marshes and woodland, beside the River Lea, had plenty of shade, as we began our slow walk towards Stratford and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, stopping at various benches along the way for a drink and to rest.

The Middlesex Filter Beds Nature Reserve gave way to Hackney Marshes, which brought us to Wick Woodland.

A heron.

From here we crossed Eastway and dropped down to the River Lea Walk, continuing our journey south, spotting a heron on the opposite bank.

Arcelormittal Orbit and the London Stadium.

Eventually we left the River Lea Walk and headed up to street level, by Mandeville Place, and crossed Diamond Bridge to the London Stadium, home of West Ham Football Club. 

The Olympic Bell, from London 2012.

We then looked at the Olympic Bell, which now hangs silent outside the stadium, before crossing the City Mill River in search of an ice cream kiosk.

Ice cream time!

We sat in the shade, eating our ice creams and refilling our water bottles, while determining what we were going to do next. Walking to Canary Wharf had been our intention, but we decided against trying to walk there as the temperature had just hit 28C (82F for my international friends).

So we decided to call it a day and make our way towards home, walking though the Westfield Shopping Centre to stay in the shade.

Coffee time!

We caught a Central line train to Liverpool Street, where we changed to a Circle line train bound for Baker Street. Here we purchased some drinks from Starbucks and awaited our train home.

It was yet another great day out, discovering and exploring new things.

Distance travelled:

• Bus - 0.0 miles
• Cable Car - 0.0 miles
• Car - 0.0 miles
• DLR - 0.0 miles
• Ferry - 0.0 miles
• Overground - 16 miles
• River Boat - 0.0 miles
• Taxi - 1.3 miles
• Train - 0.0 miles
• Underground - 25 miles
• Walking - 7.1 miles