Walking is the most popular countryside recreation, and is well catered for in the Colne Valley Regional Park. Facilities include short circular walks on surfaced paths and there are leaflets detailing much longer countryside rambles. Below you will find ideas of self-guided walks, including short circular walks and information about guided walks within the Colne Valley.
Support the Colne Valley
Did you know the Colne Valley Regional Park relies on donations and grants in order to be able to look after this precious countryside? If you have enjoyed your time in the Park recently we would be extremely grateful for any support no matter how big or small to help us with the work we do.
Self-Guided Walks
These are walks you can do at any time that suits you. Either pick up a leaflet from the Visitor Centre or see the links below.
Varying from 1½-5 miles, these walks are an easy way to start exploring the Park. They include directions, a map, points of historical interest and some pleasant pubs or cafes to enjoy along the way.
The Colne Valley has a wealth of country parks, woods and naturereseves, including Black Park Country Park, Denham Country Park, Bayhurst Wood Country Park and Rickmansworth Aquadrome. These are highly popular spots because of their networks of well-signposted, surfaced paths and picnic or play areas.
This guide and map is a great reference for exploring the whole of The Colne Valley Park, with places of interest, good sights for photography, walking points and more marked on the map . The guide also includes details on some of our key sites to visit and all of our walks with a short description.
Walking in the footsteps of an Edwardian – New Publication
The Colne Valley Regional Park has published a new walking guide, Walking in the Footsteps of an Edwardian, based on Stephen Springall’s 1907 Country Rambles Round Uxbridge, which reflects on the landscape changes in the past 100 years. Stephen Springall was a man who loved a walk and many of his rambles passed through the now Colne Valley Regional Park. He thought nothing of walking 20 miles in a day and then leaving the reader to find a bus or a train home! Walking in the Footsteps of an Edwardian has ‘translated’ some of his walks into the present for you to enjoy.
Books can be purchased at the Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre in Denham Country Park for only £6.
If you wish to purchase the book online please contact us on [email protected] (postage cost is £2).
More detail about the book can be found here.
Walks from the Colne Valley Visitor Centre/Denham Country Park
If you are visiting Denham Country Park we highly recommend our short and easy access circular route from the Visitor Centre towards the Grand Union Canal. This route is approx 1.3 miles (2km). Download the map below, or you can visit our Colne Valley Visitor Centre and Riverside Cafe for a copy (small fee applies).
Colne Valley Trail
The Colne Valley Trail weaves its way through the heart of the Regional Park and connects the major towns in the Valley including Uxbridge and Rickmansworth. The trail takes in a variety of habitats including; lakes, woodlands and rivers providing an enjoyable walk through a varied and beautiful landscape. The walks weaves along the Grand Union Canal, through woodland at Denham Quarry and beside the many lakes of the Valley giving people the opportunity to feel at one with nature.
Your way in to the countryside
We have created these excellent ways in leaflets to help you discover the countryside near you! They contain: many different routes to take you in and allow you to explore, the variety of flora and fauna you may discover and the different transport methods to get you there!
Explore the Countryside from
Favourite Autumn and Winter Walks in the Colne Valley
We have gathered some inspiration of walks to enjoy during the Autumn and Winter months in the Colne Valley Regional Park, suggested by our team. Enjoy the seasonal colours, the crunching carpet of leaves, wonderful fungi sprouting up to catch your eye, wildlife calling in the trees and the calming scenery and sense of tranquillity as you walk along your way.
Explore the Countryside from Brunel University
In partnership with Brunel University we have created a digital leaflet to encourage you students and staff to take a hike or bike ride through the serene countryside around the campus. It’s a simple way to escape the stresses of daily life and find inspiration in the beauty of the natural world.
We have suggested 5 walking/biking routes to connect you with Colne Valley Regional Park. Access the digital leaflet here.
Great buggy and pram walks
A walk in the countryside is a great way to keep young children entertained, give them some fresh air, vitamin d, and stimulate their minds by brining them close to nature. Let’s face it young children always sleep better after some fresh air and exercise outside, so it is well worth building a few walks into your family routine and we hope to help with our below list of favourite walks in the Colne Valley Park which are suitable for buggies and prams…
Local woods with Bluebells
If you live locally then why not take a springtime bluebell walk and visit one of the wonderful woodlands in the Park that shares this this gorgeous spectacle but be warned – they don’t last for long, typically, bluebells appear from mid-April to late May, depending on the weather. So why not take some time out to soak up the sights, sounds and tranquillity of your local woods this season.
Local Walks in your area
Here are some local groups who are sharing specific walks to the area where they live for other people to try and enjoy. They are a great way to encourage us to walk and explore our local countryside and rights-of-way. Find out more here;
Two longer well-signposted linear walks are also available, with detailed descriptive leaflets available from the Visitor Centre. More information can be found from the Long Distance Walkers Association.
Guided Walks
Guided Walks are led by local groups with particular knowledge and understanding of the area.
There are a number of local group walks in the Colne Valley Park to try;
Colne Valley Regional Park Team also holds regular guided walks. To check if we have anything scheduled head to our Events Page.
Please don’t forget to check any needed requirements to enjoy the walk.
If you want to discover about the wildlife and plants of the Park, visit our Events Page for more information.
