Hayes and Harlington to Uxbridge: 7.25 miles (11.7 km)
Trail landmarks:
The Grand Union Canal - continuing on from a quick respite in Haynes and rejoining the canal path, the going is peaceful, idyllic and straight forward. Tucked beneath the road bridges mural street art adorns the walls, at bridge 198 in particular, this work has been attributed to the Banksy 'school' not himself, but since much overpainted.
Stockley Park - turning off the canal path, the trail leads into Stockley Park. Initially a quick stroll through the business park, the home of English soccer's VAR hub and then onto the golf course. A single column suspension bridge actually divides the golf course into two halves and which overlooks the course and offers intriguing distant views of Central London.
The Slough Arm (GUC) - back on the canal, a short leg passing West Drayton Station and further glimpses into Riverboat life and the bustle of Yiewsley eventually brings the trail to Crowley Peachey Junction and the Slough arm of the Grand Union Canal. Crossing the elegant steel footbridge the path passes the Packet Boat Marina and stays canalside crossing the River Frayes via a cast iron aqueduct, with adjoining pillbox and coal-tax post, demarcating the old London boundary of the 1860's.
Little Britain - a short wooded hop brings the trail alongside Little Britain, a former gravel pit, and now an attractive lake of which is shaped after its name. The path is very sheltered, willow-wooded and comes out into the open frequently lakeside for angler's pegs. Following lakeside the path emerges facing the Colne weir which needs to be crossed to continue riverside, taking otherwise the tarmac lane, passes some elegant properties and brings the trail onto the B470 where it's the possible to back track back down the Colne riverside path if desired.
The Colne River - continuing alongside the River Colne, now fully ensconced in the Colne Valley Regional Park, this demarcates exactly the boundary between Greater London and Buckinghamshire. Unfortunately the path for the most part follows behind an industrial estate with high metal fencing, but glimpses of the river thankfully brighten up the surroundings.
Uxbridge - a short stroll down Culvert lane returns the path to the Grand Union Canal and the final short leg to finish this section at Uxbridge. Taking it's name from Wixan's Bridge, which crosses the Colne at the Swan and Bottle Pub, the canal path changes atmosphere from idyllic to industrial as the suburb of Uxbridge approaches from which the town's centre offers many facilities en route to the Underground Station.
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