Iversta three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked from Iver to Stanwell Moor.
The previous reviewers have left very detailed reviews which I can only echo.
Starting in car swamped Iver you soon get to the Slough End of the Grand Union Canal and from here waterside paths dominate this walk down the Colne Valley. Lots of wildlife to see, herons and cormorants; lots of plants coming into flower. Beware the Hogweed, Spanish bluebells and Himalayan Balsam also invade. The paths weave under several major roads and Heathrow flight paths, not a quiet walk, there's a constant hum of traffic and roar of jets. Visually it's stunning, always something to see and some lovely views.
Lots of gates, barriers, kissing gates, and concrete blocks guard the area close to the airport. A narrow gap (35cm) meant removing the rucksack and sliding sideways, not a walk for wheels (or whales).
Stanwell Moor has a pub, a corner shop, a closed Post Office and a bus stop.

This overlaps with parts of two other routes, so my write up is based on my walking of those route (stahar2, iverhar3) and is written as Stanwell Moor to Iver
From Stanwell Moor cross the river at the silverbeck weir and follow the muddy paths and then bridal way signs under A3113.
Narrow gap through underpass due to concreate blocks (see picture). Would prevent pushchair and cycle getting through c 40 cm wide at narrowest.
Follow the gravel path through the Heathrow Colne Valley biodiversity site, just noise of Heathrow and M25.
Follow bridal way signs which take you under the A4 by the Wraysbury river.
This is a little visited Harmondsworth Moor country park, which is a shame as a lovely park and well worth an explore.
Muddy paths in park. Saw kingfisher on the Wraysbury river.
[Harmondsworth village is worth an explore or stop, including the church, great barn and On Moor Lane at the edge of Harmondsworth village is a memorial to Sir Barnes Wallis creator of the Bouncing Bomb amongst other things, as research was done at the former Road Research Laboratory based here. Harmondsworth is a good starting/ending point as three routes go past the village.]
You now follow the paths coming up on the left hand side of Saxon Lake, and then go under the M4 by the side of the Duke of Northumberland River. You then follow the river through woodland keeping left at each track junction before coming to Cricketfield Road (kissing gate). This part feels quite remote.
You then follow the road right (no pavement) until you turn left along Thorney Mill Road (U3 bus nearby) over Fray’s River. Following the pavement, you then come to a right of way through the hedge of the Thorney Park Golf course just as it meets the houses. I walked around the left hand side of the golf course and followed the white rocks, to the right of the Colne Brook, that take you north through the golf course out to a tarmac lane through a gate (this is different to the route taken by the other reviewer (which is a bit further to the west).
I followed the permissive way (Affinity Water) through woods and through a tunnel under the rail way line to a tarmac lane. (This section again feels very remote) and then go left and then right following the Colne Valley Park path signs north through the wooded area along uneven dirt paths and with a number of fallen trees to go under, that then comes out (kissing gate) on the Slough spur of the Grand Union Canal where you then turn left to continue to Iver (this is covered by others) or right to West Drayton.

This route successfully achieves the purpose of crossing the west side of Heathrow by stitching together a series of green corridors along the river Colne.
I especially enjoyed the middle section on Harmondsworth moor, with excellent views from the high point.
I did wonder about the tight access point to the Colne Valley biodiversity site at Stanwell Moor (see photo of brightly painted concrete blocks with narrow gap). Having spent time reviewing other slow ways in this area I am of the opinion it is to deter off road vehicles (quad bikes, motocross) which are a local feature - rather than to deter walkers and bicycles.
I’m giving this route 4 stars.

No refreshments on route. Plenty at Iver; pub and small shop at Stanwell Moor. As stated in the route description, Harmondsworth has some rather good refreshments but is off route.

Transport: Very occasional bus service at Stanwell Moor; be prepared to walk on either to Staines or to Stanwell for better transport links. At Iver the bus service is better but finishes early evening. There is a great train service, but Iver station is off route so check the maps!

Access: steep banks and some steps; narrow uneven footpaths; very narrow gap to enter/leave the Colne Valley biodiversity site at Stanwell Moor.

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