Stahar two

Verified Slow Way

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I walked this on a bright winter day, from Stanmoor Well to Harlington. It had rained a little in the previous week.

From the residential streets, you soon find yourself on a muddy path (photo #1). You cross some roads, and then walk in a little curve to line up to cross under the A3113, where you will find concrete blocks blocking the way (photo #2). If you're not too wide, you can just about squeeze past if you take of your gear.

The walk through the biodiversity side is actually really pretty nice (photo #3), but it does have occasional planes flying over (photo #5). The brick lining of the viaduct under the M25-LHR T5 exit had slightly collapsed (photo #4). The site has a few hills and is green. The paths easy to walk on (photo #6, #7).

Then there is a little section of roads (photo #8) before you come out into Harmondsworth, with shops and pubs (photo #9). And then a long slug along a road (photo #10). It is safe, and there isn't enough traffic, but it is really quite boring. Beyond Sipson (more places for snacks) there is another similarly long stretch (photo #11) before getting to finish at Harlington.

If it wasn't for the really long boring stretch along a straight road, this would have been 4 stars.

I walked from Stanwell to Harlington with Bert and his troublesome wind.
Bert, the second named storm of the 24/25 Winter, had scattered sticks and branches all over the paths, bramble whips reached out to bite.
A walk of 2 halves.
From Stanwell Moor there is a path to an underpass and a narrow squeeze (36cm) past barriers. Then open fields through a nature reserve, breeding aeroplanes (I think). Then a lovely bridleway alongside the River Wraysbury. Then into the village of Harmondsworth. Pubs and shops. It's been a 4* route so far.
Then Harmondsworth Lane and Sipson Lane, long straight and featureless, unfortunately unavoidable, the airport restricts options. Sigh.
A good slow way.
Not for wheels.

This journey is Harlington to Stanwell Moor, which I walked in two stages. The section Harlington to Harmondsworth I reviewed under Ivehar three, which I repeat here. from the Harlington (a number of buses) It is a simple walk along Sipson Lane along the pavement past various playing fields. The pavement is uneven in places. You go through the village of Sipson (222 bus) and at King William pub continue along Harmondsworth Lane to the village of Harmondsworth (U3 and 350 buses). Here you go down the short high street and then walk left along Moor Lane.
I walked Harmondsworth to Stanwell Moor section on a sunny November day. Harmondsworth is a good starting point as three slowWay routes go past the village and has good bus connections.
On Moor Lane 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.
Accommadation Lane, surprised follow the road and not go through the the park on the right or swan lake by the BA building on the left of the road. This is a little visited area, which is a shame as the Harmondsworth Moor country park is a lovely area and well worth an explore. You go into the park at the car park and then follow the path by the Wraysbury river.
Muddy paths in park. Saw kingfisher on the Wraysbury river.
Follow bridal way signs which take you under the A4 by the Wraysbury river.
Follow the gravel path through the Heathrow Colne Valley biodiversity site, just noise of Heathrow and M25.
Narrow gap through underpass due to concreate blocks (see picture). Would prevent pushchair and cycle getting through. c 40 cm wide at narrowest.
Muddy paths into Stanwell Moor village crossing the river at the silverbeck weir.
Nice walk.

For a route that wraps around Heathrow it’s surprisingly quiet, taking full advantage of the Colne Valley between Stanwell Moor and Harmondsworth; and sticking with a fairly quiet road between Harmondsworth and Harlington.

Having said that, depending on wind direction and time of day, the aircraft noise directly at the end of one or other of the two runways can be very loud, and I didn’t dawdle over these parts. (Planes swap runways at 3.00pm and as I crossed the bit behind the runways around then I got a double dose, which is bad luck or poor planning!)

There is also a very tight access point to the Biodiversity site north of Stanwell Moor. This rules out access for anyone who can’t get through a narrow gap. I took off rucksack and went through sideways, it was a squeeze.

Walked Harlington to Stanwell Moor. The first part to Harmondsworth is straight along a back road, through Sipson. Stopped at the Cafe on the Green for tea and a bun, very friendly place.

Harmondsworth is a lovely little backwater village, with an idyllic village green, pub, church, and a grade 1 listed English Heritage medieval Great Barn, open occasional Sundays, Ah ha! It was open! I timed my visit well for the barn at least!
Heathrow 3rd runway threatens Harmondsworth, and there is fierce opposition from the local community.

From Harmondsworth the route turns south along the Colne Valley. There is a chain of nature reserves and the path through is easy to follow.
There are bus stops on the Bath Road with buses to Slough or Hounslow, for anyone wanting a drop out point. (There are also buses from Harmondsworth to Heathrow).

The biodiversity site that follows is fairly new by the looks of things. The route goes straight across the site (this is the main difference between this option and Stahar One, as this is where the planes can get rowdy and the route benefits from directness at this point). It goes under the M25 spur to Heathrow T5.

The final section is a good introduction to the somewhat liminal state of the area south and west of Heathrow, and a contrast with Harmondsworth. The only exit point south from the biodiversity site is through an underpass (another spur off the M25), which is almost entirely blocked, with just a tiny space left for access (photo). It did feel intimidating and claustrophobic, but it’s only that one place.

I’ve walked here before and I think that there may be a problem with motocross bikes and quad bikes, based on the other side of the Foyle Interchange, which, if they could access it, would run riot over the diversity site. With 3 authorities meeting here (Slough, London, Surrey) I expect it is difficult to police. So I think that is why access is a bit of a squeeze. It’s a shame cos I would rate this route 5 stars if it was better access.

After that it was straight along the river to Stanwell Moor and the pub at the end point.

Check transport arrangements in advance to see what buses are available, or else walk on!.

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