London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP) Visitors Book

We would love to hear from you about your experience of Walking London – what you enjoyed, what you noticed along the way, what would make the walk even better. Please share your observations and comments – whether they are factual, amusing or poignant, we would be interested to learn, and to share with others who may be considering walking the path.

8 (Bourne Hall Park, Ewell to Kingston upon Thames)

The narrow bit with lots of nettles and brambles is beside some sports pitches at Worcester Park and you really need long trousers and a scythe. It's really nasty. Whilst I am sorry for people who have got lost on bits of the Loop, I am gratified that these were the same places I got lost too. There was a very tricky start on Banstead golf course, or was I just being thick?
Lost in Space

Walked sections 8, 9 & 10 on 06 June 2010. This was a really close, humid day and made it a bit uncomfortable, but the sun did put in several appearances. On this particular section there was a narrow path about a mile or 2 in that was very overgrown with nettles and the like, and as a result my bare legs took a hell of a stinging! Plenty of dock leaves around though of course! Othe than that not a particularly memorable section.
Chris the Leeds fan

9 (Kingston upon Thames to Hatton Cross)

The London Loop – what a brilliant idea! Section 9 was a very enjoyable walk. With leisurely stops for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea (well an alcoholic ‘beverage’ actually!) the walk took my friend and I about 6 hours – we had gorgeous weather and just ambled along. Our map was a bit out of date because at the end it said something along the lines of ‘well done you have now completed section 9 of the London Loop, turn left for Hatton Cross’ What it didn’t say was that we had a long walk along the busy A30 before reaching the station! But that didn’t put us off because we now intend to do a few more sections of the loop.
Jenny W

Excellent walk: lots of surprises - wild flower meadow near Hospital Bridge Road roundabout, ducks and ducklings in Bushey Park, munchback DonkeyWood bit very disappointing lst leg from "5 sleeper steps" onwards when the path disapppeared and became very dangerous at the edge of the Crane river bank. Suggest this needs to be cleared and made accessible. We had to retrace our steps to the concerete steps near the roadbridge and walk overground alongside the very busy A30 to find Hatton Cross tube station. Bonus was finding theGreen Man pub where we consoled ourselves with a welcome pint! But overall an excellent walk and we look forward to doing the Hatton Cross onwards walk next month!

The signage had been excellent all the way through the walk from Secton 1, but we found it less than adequate in the final stages of this section, after crossing the A315 and entering Donkey Wood. Just after the millrace, the path splits and there is no indication which way to go, and no signs on the right route for some time thereafter. Also, we found no signs to tell us that we needed to go up to the A312 and cross to the other side of the river for the final stretch to the A30. As a result, we followed our 2008 reprint of the London Loop book and continued under the A312 on the left of the river, where the path was horribly overgrown. A disappointing end to the section, but overall we still think the London Loop is excellently conceived and planned and a wonderful introduction to the green spaces of outer London.
Alison and Ian McBrayne

Done on 06 June 2010 immediately after section 8 (funnily enough!). I was glad to get going again to get away from "civilization" - puke on the bridge steps... you know, the usual civilized kind of stuff. It struck me as I crossed the bridge that I was now back on the north side of the river and very much on my way to finishing (at Moor Park). I went a bit astray immediately after the roundabout and I didn't think the description was particularly clear. I think it would be better for it to miss out the bit about the WW2 memorial (which I didn't see) and just say "...turn left at the roundabout and at the pedestrian crossing cross over and head down Church Grove...". I was very taken with Bushy Park and was surprised there's no mention in the write-up of the deer that roam in herds all over the park. It was terrific to see two herds of stags lying beneath trees, though I did have one slightly closer than wanted encounter with a doe! Definitely a place to go back and visit at leisure.
Chris the Leeds fan

10 (Hatton Cross to Hayes & Harlington)

This was the third and last section of the day for me on 06 June 2010. The finish/start point on the A30 at Hatton Cross is a bit grim but understandable. The walk from here was very pleasant, apart from the short section along the main road. The walk alongside the canal right at the end was particularly pleasant, strewn rubbish aside, and the smell of coffee from the Nescafe factory was fantastic! I'd forgotten about the bit in the notes as I walked along thinking how I could murder a good cup of coffee and then realised what it was. You'd think they could at least set up a stall handing out free samples to tired walkers on the towpath - with a selection of muffins and biscuits! This now leaves me with just 3 sections to go, which I hope to do this coming weekend, and then I can turn my attentions to the Capital Ring. Has anyone ever tried to coordinate a massive clean up of the LOOP?
Chris the Leeds fan

11 (Hayes & Harlington to Uxbridge)

I did sections 11, 12 & 13 on 12 June 2010 to complete the LOOP. This particular section was very pleasant being almost totally alongside the Grand Union Canal
Chris the Leeds fan

12 (Uxbridge to Harefield West)

Again, not too much to say about this section as it simply follows the canal, apart from the section around the lakes. Some great birdlife. The written description for the end of the section, and the start of the next section is fine, but they need to be as there are few if any signs.
Chris the Leeds fan

13 (Harefield West to Moor Park)

This was my very last section of the LOOP. I started the LOOP back in March and have usually had one session each weekend whenever possible. Really enjoyed it and can thoroughly recommend it, for both the exercise and the experience. I'll probably do it again once I've done the Capital Ring. This section isn't well signed at the start, but the written description is easy to follow. Once you reach Bishop's Wood you need to look carefully for the path into the wood as there are no signs. It's fairly obvious once you're on it though - look for the hoof marks. So that's that then. Can I have my certificate please?!
Chris the Leeds fan

16 (Elstree to Cockfosters)

I was walking through Totteridge meadows towards Barnet when I was confronted by a herd of cattle. I took care as there were cows with calves, but as they moved away I was confronted by a large bull. He stood his ground, I had too far to go back to the previous stile, So I just waved my route directions at him, then he decided to back off. Phew!
Keith

Hi, With regard on your very good service, I would like to let you know that there are not any sign for Section 16 - Elstree to Cockfosters (From Moat Mount to High Barnet(LT), which we lost the way. I don't know how would the other sections. I think it would very helpful if kindly these sign direction be completed. Many thanks Best Regards Amir Daha
DAHA