I walked the Hounslow to Southall route 2 on a mild February....

Aamwalk

There were a couple of areas where the route could be improved, firstly by walking the nicely paved surface through Drayton Green rather than walking the southern half on a tree root studded path and secondly, on the exit at the western end of Brent Lodge Park, where the mapping is a bit odd, taking you through a narrow litter-lined path with a flight of stairs rather than following the main path out of the park....

GoodGym Sevan

The tricky part this time involved a fallen tree in Southall Park - easily avoidable if choosing a different path in the park (the obstacle is visible from a distance). Another unexpected section was a closed path through Glade Lane Canalside Park - an alternative route for pedestrians is clearly signposted though....

GoodGym Kash

There's a not-so-obvious path when leaving the golf course to emerge at Greenford Road - it doesn't look like a path and there is a flight of stairs at the end of it....

GoodGym Kash

There are good refreshments at Heston - I’ve put in a photo of the pub which is on the route, there are also good non-pub refreshments a little off route at the Heston pools and fitness centre in Heston Park. (I tried out a route option through the park, but overall I think this one is a little more direct, and preferable in the section north of the M4)....

Jane Taylor

I'm making alternative route option Souhou Two which will avoid the blocked footpath, and also uses the new pedestrian footbridge across the railway lines at Southall to give a quieter route at that end. Flagged as a 'maybe' for now....

Jane Taylor

From here, I walked a short stretch along a few residential roads, although there was a nice cycle path (photo #2) along the road to the Grand Union Canal. Instead of going through Wolf Fields Park, the route took me around it with fences on both side (photo #3)....

Derick Rethans

- accessibility problem: there are stairs by the exit of the canal path part (going from Southall to Ealing): all the steps are tall, so they could be a problem not only for pushchairs and wheelchair users but also for people who walk but don't have enough knee mobility...

GoodGym Kash

As mentioned in a previous review, there is a flight of stairs up to Elthorne Park from the Grand Union Canal and on the canal path, some of the tarmac is uneven or has tree branches running under the surface which will affect pushchairs and wheelchairs....

GoodGym Sevan

Then suburban streets to the busy Heston Road, which takes you past Old Heston with beautiful church and Memorial, and under the M4. More leafy open suburban streets and another lit alley way to the busy Merrick Road....

Strider

I live in the middle of the walk, so not best placed to comment on ease of route-finding, but as mentioned by another reviewer, when travelling East to West (Ealing to Southall), the two public footpaths across the golf course aren’t completely clear. The first golf course, direction of crossing is aided by the large “beware of flying golf ball…” signs – including the rear of the sign in the distance (see photo)....

Martin McHugh

Compared to Routes Two and Three I think this is a poor choice as it uses the busy Uxbridge Road and Windmill Lane too much at the Southall end....

Martin McHugh

Using Southall Park and Glade Park is far nicer than walking the busy Uxbridge Road and Windmill Lane....

Martin McHugh

The route starts at Southall, and then continues along it's busy broadway towards the Grand Union Canal, which it follows for most of the walk. It's a pleasant route to follow, with plenty of wild life and boaters to keep your attention, although it can get a little monotonous at times....

Derick Rethans

Perhaps it wasn't the wisest day to go out for a walk, with drizzle forecasted for most of the day, with only a sliver of hope for a bit of sunshine in the afternoon. As there were National Rail strikes going on, I decided to walk something in London, and opted for routes that I had never done, but were close to being verified. After crossing the A40 at Perivale the walk became a lot nicer with at least some greenery on the left, before crossing Perivale Park with its golf course....

Derick Rethans

I feel I may be being a bit harsh with this review, but having walked it I found the route drawing was a bit rough and ready, which meant having reached the Grand Union canal, I had to guess whether to walk along the canal towpath or the road....

Jane Taylor

Soon I arrived at the entrance to Cranford Park, and a lovely green corridor, grass and woodland, with a good path, leads to an underpass beneath the M4. Then a little church, St Dunstans, by the Cranford Park visitor centre. Eventually the park runs out onto a small fairly quiet road which leads all the way to Harlington....

Jane Taylor

From the Three Horseshoes there is a busy bustling High Street with bright shops....

Strider

There is a new grit path which by-passes the marked route (red line on photo), the marked path is across rough grass but you get to see the layout of a 13thC manor and a beautiful church....

Strider

I've included a picture of the correction, or take the path along the Uxbridge Road as shown on the Haysou route (the better option I think). The above part is along uninspiring suburban residential streets, the rest I've reviewed in 2 parts as Uxbhay and Haysou. Its mostly canals which some find humdrum but on this walk I saw: mandarin, mallard, golden eye, coot, cormorant - Kite, kestrel, crow, blue tits, wagtails - coral spot, jew's ear, turkey tail, birch polypore, field mushroom - oak ash, maple, Hawthorne, cherry - bluebells, dandelions, anemones, Blossom and purple orchid - and so much more....

Strider

Variety of smooth canal two paths and the wide pavements of Southall Broadway and Hayes. We walked it in reverse and it was still easy to follow. It was quite quiet along the canal, only met a handful of people - all of who said hello!...

Slow Ways Darren

Quiet suburban streets give way to park land through the Bunny Park and then through a golf course to Southall....

Slow Ways Darren

Great walk through Ealing residential streets and through the Bunny park and golf course. Only disappointing bit was the last km that was along the edge of the Uxbridge road. Would have been better if it had been through southall park for the last bit....

Alison Moore

After walking through quiet Southall residential streets you cross a golf course between two ponds which was very wet after recent rain. Like Jamiekirk, the previous reviewer, I would take this road all the way to Wembley as it is a lively street with lots of interest, but the route as (poorly) shown takes you through quieter suburban streets and up a flight of steps to Wembley Central Station....

Strider

Across the busy A4127 to the other half of the golf course, a small passage takes you to the A4020, a short section of busy road which takes you to the Three Horseshoes in Southall....

Strider

A very practical straight forward walk between Hayes & Southall via the Grand Union Canal. Southall end is via high street which can be busy otherwise a quiet canal side walk. Paths are good and clear of major puddles and mud (our trial of this Slow Way was after a period of heavy rain)....

Philipj8

The road through Southall is fairly big but the walking environment is pleasant, then most of the rest of the route follows canal towpaths....

mtormey

Maybe because it was a Sunday morning, but the large road into Southall actually was pretty quiet and very comfortable to walk along with wide pavements separated from traffic....

mtormey

This route mainly follows the Grand Union canal and there’s only one main turn to make at the canal junction which makes it very easy to follow. Good paths, nearly all paved, generally flat and no gates. Also note there is no lighting along the way....

miketalbot

Slight ammend needed - at Southall end I could not find a path to go left on Ranelagh Road, as shown on this route....

miketalbot

The crossing of Northfield Avenue as marked isn't possible due to being through a construction site - would also be safer using the crossing slightly further North than marked. Also the final part of the route along Windmill Lane and Uxbridge Road is pretty unpleasant. Might be a nicer slightly less direct route to use....

jamiekirk

Most notably there is a point early on where the path turns left on Longford Avenue before turning right to get to Dormer's Wells Lane....

jamiekirk

I'm looking forward to walking this route....

SlowDaren