Bethnal GreenCanary Wharf

Betcan one
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By a Slow Ways Volunteer on 07 Apr 2021


Distance

5km/3mi

Ascent

19m

Descent

26m

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Description

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Bethnal Green and Canary Wharf.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Bethnal Green and Canary Wharf.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

Status

This route has been reviewed by 4 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Betcan one

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Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 4

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (4)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 6

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 1X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 1: Entirely smooth and compacted surfaces.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Maybe present Accommodation (1)
Maybe present Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Not present at time of survey Very slippery (1)
Not present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Not present at time of survey Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Not present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Not present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Not present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Not present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Not present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 130.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 7.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 8.0% (1)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 2.0% (1)

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unsigned (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

80.0% of the route is on roads (1)

75.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

99.0% of the route is paved (1)

There is no data on muddiness

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

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1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

1X October 2022 by Strider
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Bethnal Green
Grid Ref TQ3499582781
Lat / Lon 51.52782° / -0.05534°
Easting / Northing 534,995E / 182,782N
What3Words calculating.bands.dips
Canary Wharf
Grid Ref TQ3752480161
Lat / Lon 51.50366° / -0.01993°
Easting / Northing 537,524E / 180,161N
What3Words opens.body.stove

Betcan One's land is

Urban 100.0%

Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018

reviews


Strider

01 Oct 2022 Autumn

I walked from Bethnal Green to Canary Warf.
This is a lovely walk, I'm not sure what I can add that the other reviewers have not already said.
This walk started in an urban setting with wide flat streets. Despite new estates there are still old flagstone pavements in places, brought down from Yorkshire, extracted to get at the coal. You can see swirly lines of coal flecks in the stone.
The canal was lovely in the sunshine. I went too far, if you go past Salmon Lock you've gone too far, follow the cycle path. The route is a little off through Limehouse Basin, but it is easy to navigate.
Ropemakers Fields is a lovely park full of people exercising. Lovely views along the riverside.
Just beyond Canary Wharf Pier the way is blocked, I took another pleasant route (red line on map) but there are alternatives. The block has been there for a while, but is temporary. Easy to navigate around as your destination is close and visible.
Cafes, shops and benches dotted along the way.
A varied and interesting walk.
Good for wheels, There are steps to get around the block, but there is a lift as well.


Jo Wood

11 Sep 2022 Summer

A largely sensible route that does a good job of navigating an interesting part of London's East End and Docklands without too much main road action. We walked from Bethnal Green to Canary Wharf as part of a longer walk following #DalBet One and it is interesting to experience the transition from inner city Hackney to Docklands. The route isn't always "pretty" but it is interesting and safe (but see comments below about the canal).

The first section from Bethnal Green inevitably has to deal with the busy Roman Road but you're soon off down the quieter Globe Road with a few interesting buildings on the way (photos 1 and 2). Starlton's review gives some useful advice of replacing this with more canal walking, which on a sunny day might make for a more pleasant walk. But for me, one of the objectives of a slow way is to balance the aesthetics of the walk with ease of navigation, safety and directness, and I think the official route here has that about right. Regents Canal is certainly a beautiful walk, but I'd feel uneasy walking this in the dark as it is largely unlit and not entirely safe at night.

At the end of White Horse Lane is Stepney City Farm (photo 3) which if open is worth a visit. Also has good food and toilet opportunities.

After passing the Ragged School (photo 4), it's on to the canal side for a relatively short stretch (photo 5). Leaving the canal near Limehouse Cut and Ropemakers Field, the GPX was slightly too coarse to make it obvious where to go, but Starlton's review description has some useful details.

It was a pleasant surprise to emerge on the banks of the Thames which was at high Spring tide when we arrived (photo 7). From here on, the glass towers of Canary Wharf make it clear where to head following the Thames path. At time of writing (September 2022) there are some major building works closing off the Thames path just beyond the Canary Wharf Clipper Pier (photo 9), but it's straightforward to go up the steps to Westferry Circus and follow Westferry Road down to Canada Square (the first of the mega towers in the Docklands redevelopment, photo 10).

The glass towers of the redeveloped Docklands area has an unworldly feel that certainly has interest as spectacle, but its "monuments to capitalism" feel leaves me slightly queasy. Exemplified perhaps by the signs (photo 11) that make it clear this is privately managed land and access – something somewhat antithetical to the spirit of the Slow Way.


Starlton

09 Jul 2021 Summer

This route from Bethnal Green underground station to the west exit of Canary Wharf underground station (Jubilee line) deviates a little from a fairly direct course in order to take in a stretch of Regent’s Canal. Given that the route’s creator thought that the canal is worth the extra half-a-kilometre (which it certainly is), it would surely have made more sense to go down Roman Road directly to Regent’s Canal (as suggested in Porcovolente’s review) – which would hardly increase the total length of the route, but would treble the distance of the Regent’s Canal section.

The route begins at the west end of Roman Road by the steps where the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster of 1943 occurred, overlooked by the Stairway to Heaven memorial in the adjacent Bethnal Green Gardens (see photo). After walking east down Roman Road, the route takes a right turn down Globe Road at the next set of traffic lights. When the cherry trees are in blossom, Globe Road is beautiful, but I’d strongly recommend instead taking the detour mentioned above. To do this, rather than turning right into Globe Road, continue along Roman Road for about 600 metres to Regent’s Canal. This detour will take you past a (fictitious) crime scene: about 200 m after crossing Globe Road, look down Morpeth Street on your right to see the place where Stevie was murdered in the TV detective series River. Another couple of hundred metres further along Roman Road, a well-known local character can be seen on the left: Elisabeth Frink’s statue of the Blind Beggar and His Dog (see photo) in the fenced-off gardens of Tate House in the Cranbrook Estate. Soon after, Roman Road crosses Regent’s Canal where there is access to the towpath, which runs alongside Mile End Park (see photo). After 1.5 km along the canal (walking south, with the canal on your right) you will rejoin the route.

If instead you decide to follow the route and turn down Globe Road, it takes you past Stepney Green underground station, across Mile End Road, down White Horse Lane, and then left onto Ben Jonson Road. At this point, you can take the very short detour suggested in Porcovolente’s review and turn right down Stepney High Street to get to St. Dunstan’s (see photo). You might also consider popping into Stepney City Farm (entrance on Stepney Way, on the right), which has a popular café and a Saturday market.

Back to Ben Jonson Road. After around 500 m, the road crosses Regent’s Canal. Looking over your left shoulder, you will see the Ragged School Museum (see photo) and, as the road bends right, you can make your way to your right onto the towpath (see photo).

Just before Salmon Lane lock, the route follows National Cycle Network Route 1 off the towpath, bearing left up a ramp (see photo). However, it is hard to see why the route does not instead continue along Regent’s Canal as far as Limehouse Basin (see photo), avoiding the need to negotiate Commercial Road. It is also so much easier to find your way if you stay on the towpath: when you reach Limehouse Basin, walk around it clockwise until you reach the Limehouse Cut canal (if you wish to avoid a few stairs, then take the longer route anticlockwise around Limehouse Basin). Then walk along the south path of Limehouse Cut (the canal will be on your left) for no more than 100 m where there is a path to the right leading into Ropemakers Field (see photo). Immediately ahead of this turning is a footbridge over the Cut: this is the bridge you would use to cross the Cut if you were to follow the route and leave Regent’s Canal before reaching Limehouse Basin.

At the end of Ropemakers Field, the access to the Thames Path (where there are impressive views of the river – see photo) is a few metres to your left across Narrow Street, but you might wish to first turn right and pay a visit to The Grapes, about 100 m down Narrow Street.

One final detour suggestion: immediately before the Canary Wharf pier (and Royal China restaurant), take the lift or stairs (see photo) up to Westferry Circus (see photo). Continue directly through Westferry Circus (where there are public toilets) and along West India Avenue towards Cabot Square. Canary Wharf DLR station is straight ahead, and for the Canary Wharf Jubilee line station entrance (see photo), turn right after another 100 m.


Porcovolente

29 May 2021 Spring

I started this route at Canary Wharf underground station but DLR stations Canary Wharf and Heron Quays are both nearby. At the end of Bank Street I hit a problem as the direct route to the riverside walk is blocked off by hoardings around a building site. So I took a left and found another path after about 100 metres. Once on the river you get great views up and down the Thames although the first straight stretch is between high wire fences next to the aforementioned building site. After that it opens out and the paths are wide and easy. When you leave the river it is a short step to Ropemakers Field which is a lovely green space where you can catch a glimpse of the Hawksmoor church nearby.
After crossing Limehouse Cut I got lost (I had given myself the challenge of following a black and white printout) and left the route by turning left just before the railway arches (instead of going straight through) and then onto the canal just north of Limehouse Basin. After about 300 metres I rejoined the correct route where it hits the canal at the end of Lowell Street (following this avoids a very low headroom bridge on the canal path). From here it is a very pleasant canalside walk as far as Mile End Park where you cross the canal near the Ragged School Museum and onto Ben Jonson Road.
From this point the route follows quite busy roads – they are not main roads but are still quite busy with traffic (they are also bus routes). However unless you want to follow a very meandering route through housing estates they offer the best option. When you reach the junction with White Horse Lane it is worth taking a tiny detour around to St. Dunstans church which has a very lovely interior. At the other end of White Horse Lane on Mile End Road you pass the building that housed the Half Moon Theatre , Stepney Green underground station and then onto Globe Road which is lined either side with mature trees for most of its length. Finally there is a short stretch of Roman Road.
Food and drink can be found at various points on the route around Stepney and Mile End Road as well as at both ends of the route.
Like many London routes, how safe it is probably depends on the time of day and your familiarity with the area.
An alternative which would make the walk slightly longer but much greener would be to stay on the canal path as it runs through Mile End Park until it hits Roman Road.


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