Uxbnor one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked this from Northolt to Uxbridge on a wet winter afternoon. Lots of mud!

After leaving Northolt station with its clocktower and shops, the routes starts off through Islip Manor Park. After a short stretch along residential roads, it crosses the A40 with a footbridge, and then it is mapped along a foot path straight through to the A4180. This path wasn't passable due to large amounts of water on the path, and my boots weren't high enough. Instead, I followed Compton Crescent and Vanbrought Crescent to by pass the impassable section. On the other side of the fairly busy West End Road, the route continues first over a tarmac path, then a gravel path, and finally a dirt path through the woods, towards the Yeading Brook Meadows, where the paths were decidedly muddy, but still passable. It was here where the route also started (mostly) following the Hillingdon Trail again, through Ten Acre Wood, on top of banks along Yeading Brook, and then on the edge of the field. I had to make a minor detour here as the path was temporarily closed due to a heavy dead branch in a tree. The next section was narrow, and also still muddy, but it wasn't a disaster. After climbing along a too narrow kissing gate, I did have to jump over a little stream though (and I didn't land on my behind). The final section of the route then proceeds along residential roads. It is mapped to cut off a corner near Park Road/ St Andrews Road, and although the path is there, I didn't spot it, and instead walked around the construction area. It's not enough of a bother to redraw anything, but I will update OpenStreetMap to be more accurate here. I was pleased to see that much of the High Street is now pedestrianised. The route finished at Uxbridge station, which has a lovely interior.

Quite a varied route, and if it would be a little less muddy, probably a 5 star one.

I walked from Northolt to Uxbridge - the opposite way from the previous reviewer, but I agree with all the points made in it.

It's quite a mixed route - I expected it to be predominantly suburban, but about half of it is through greenery - a golf course, and the Hillingdon Trail. It was muddy when I did it (December): furthermore, I would anticipate some mud at almost any time of year - narrow paths with hedges or fences on each side never seem to dry out.

The Uxbridge end boasts a number of Battle of Britain-themed roads and buildings, reflecting the area's role as the location of No.11 Group (Fighter Command) Operations Room. You can visit but booking is advised. The other end of the route also has Battle of Britain connections, though the Polish War Memorial at the Northolt roundabout on the A40 is not on the route itself.

I walked from Uxbridge to Northolt.
There are some navigation issues on this walk but not too difficult if you pay attention.
On leaving Uxbridge High Street there is a roundabout underpass. On the other side take the small gate next to the big gate across a building site on a well-made diverted path. There is then a long section through suburban residential roads of North Hillingdon (if roads are not your thing, take the first part of Uxbhar2 which comes within 120m of this path by Freezeland Covert).
On leaving suburbia you enter Gutteridge Woods which leads to Ten acres. The OS map and SlowWay route is inaccurate, the path may have been moved. Follow the Hillingdon Trail (HT) signposts through Gutteridge Woods and Ten Acres and you will not get lost. There are local signs to help.
There are many stiles, narrow bike barriers, kissing gates, mud and boardwalks through this area. The kissing gate at the north end of Ten Acres is very narrow (35cm) I had to take my rucksack off to squeeze through.
At the South end of Ten Acres join the Dog Rose Ramble path left across the Golden Bridge, there is a good path past the West London Shooting Grounds, then across a busy road to a signed path next to an Adventure Golf center (Ankylosaurus!)
The path across the golf course is not signed, keep going roughly straight. Keep a close eye out for the exit which is an overgrown gap into a copse down on the right.
This is clearer when coming from the West.
Once over the A40 footbridge there is some residential walking and a nice park on the approach to Northolt Station.
A lovely varied walk with lots of wild life, not for wheels.

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