This web site is ‘work in progress’, over the next few weeks I will list every attraction and how to reach them from every entrance.
ATTRACTIONS FROM THE RICKMANSWORTH ROAD ENTRANCE
There are two paths, you can take the right fork or the left fork. Note, for the Cassiobury fireworks either fork will do, the left fork is slightly quicker, either way just follow the crowds.
If you take the right fork
(The numbers are total minutes from forking right)
Stratford Way exit on right, bandstand on left (free music Sundays July to Sept), also the finish-point for Parkrun (all 7½). The Gardens exit to your right (12). The Hub (Cedar Café and entrance to paddling pools) (both 16). The paddling pools are free but you need to book a timeslot. Picnic tables, ice cream van in summer, playground, and a path that forks right towards the Langley Road exit (all 17½).
Junction of paths (20½)
- at the junction of paths:
The numbers in brackets are distances, in minutes (if you don’t stop!).
Continue ahead past the picnic benches and across the bridge (the Rustic Bridge over the River Gade) (¼mn). This is the best bridge for Pooh Sticks, the best paddling is to the left, best fishing to the right (take a net); weir on right (worth a detour, see if you spot the remains of the mill).
Keep ahead over a second bridge (Ironbridge, over the Grand Union Canal) (1½mns), watch the boats negotiate the lock. Detour: the canal towpath to the left goes to London and the River Thames (about 9 miles), take the path to the right for the floating market (selected weekends in the Spring and Summer), keep going for Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool or Hull.
I suggest you leave the towpath for another time. Instead, continue ahead (over the canal) towards the steps at the steep path for just 20 paces then turn right. Follow the path (Lime Walk) to the top of the hill to the junction of 5 paths (The Rotund) (18mns). Turn round, admire the view, return to the park. Or explore the wood (take care, it’s easy to get lost).
or (from the picnic benches) fork left alongside the wooden fence, level crossing (wave to the trains) (1½ ), grownup playground (River Gade to your right) and the station for the miniature railway (both 2½), playground and bouncy castle (3).
If, from the Rickmansworth Road entrance, you take the left fork:
The numbers in brackets are distances, in minutes from when you fork left.
Grownup’s playground (4); Cassiobury Croquet club (5); Café Park, was called Café Cha Cha, also called The Tea Pavilion, includes playground for small children (6); drinking fountain, tennis courts, Shepherds Road exit on the left (all 7); path curves right, Watford Bowls Club (8).
For the start-point for Parkrun keep and for the fireworks, ahead onto the fields (8½).
Or stay on the path (as it curves to the right) to the next junction, and turn left for the The Hub (café, paddling pools, toilets), adventure playground and (at the very bottom of the hill) the River Gade, Grand Union Canal and Whippendell Wood.
