Get Outside

This third and final section of the New River Path is 8km long and is the London heritage section. The route starts in Finsbury Park and finishes in Angel. This is a largely marked route, although signage is missing for the final section between reaching Essex Road and Angel.

Enter Finsbury Park at the gate near Manor House London Station and turn right. Keep right, passing an urban edible garden, and exit Finbury Park onto Green Lanes. Cross at the traffic lights, turn left and before crossing the New River, turn right through a gate onto a track alongside the New River. Follow this track until reaching Seven Sisters Road. Carefully cross this road and continue the track along the New River until you reach Newnton Close.

The main route continues ahead, but a highly recommended alternative route passes the East Reservoir along the south side through Woodberry Wetlands. Woodberry Wetlands is a nature reserve managed by the London Wildlife Trust and is an absolute favourite for birdwatchers. Woodberry Wetlands can be entered from Newnton Close. Instead of crossing Newton Close, turn left over the bridge and immediately right on the other side through a gate to enter Woodberry Wetlands. This path is only accessible between 9am and 4pm. Just before joining the main path again you will find the superb Coal House Cafe. This vegan-friendly cafe serves delicious breakfasts (hello tofu-scramble!) and coffees which can be enjoyed inside or at the waterside terrace.

The two routes meet again at Woodberry Grove, which you cross and continue ahead along the West Reservoir. The West Reservoir host a water sports centre and is a unique place for open water swimming. Eventually you pass The Castle, a former water pumping station turned climbing centre, and reach Green Lanes. Turn left and keep ahead and at the gate turn into Clissold Park. Continue until reaching Clissold House, which also hosts a cafe, turn sharp right and take the first bridge to cross the water. Continue ahead to the southernmost gate on the corner with Green Lanes and Stoke Newington Church Street. Cross Stoke Newington Church Street at the traffic lights and turn left. Take the second street right, into Clissold Cress, and soon after into a footpath (Aden Terrace) on the right.

Again you will reach and cross Green Lanes and take the path on Petherton Green. Keep ahead, ignoring all side roads and passing Canonbury Station, until you reach a T-junction at St. Paul’s Rd. Cross at the traffic lights and go ahead through the gate into the park New River Walk. Continue all the way to Canonbury Rd, which you cross and continue ahead besides a playground and into Astey’s Row Rock Garden. Eventually you reach Essex Rd which you follow in the same direction. Cross at the first traffic lights and continue along Essex Rd for some 350m before turning left into Colebrooke Row. Continue on Colebrooke Row until Colebrooke Row Gardens and continue in the same direction in this narrow park. Cross Duncan St into Duncan Terrace Gardens until the end at City Rd. Turn right and you will reach Angel Station at the busy intersection.

Add the route map below to your Google Maps account (click on the star), download the gpx file via OpenStreetMap, or get the leaflet here and let’s get outside!