Glade
← Back⚽ Playing field

River Close Open Space

📷 David Howard · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsPitches
Public accessDogs welcome

Getting here

51.68403, -0.01553

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • ⚽Playing fields is at its best in summer here
  • ☕Lea Valley Cafe — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

  • 🐕Dogs welcome
CaféParkingPlayground

Best for

11 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Magpie, Woodpigeon, Mallard +72 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Magpie, Woodpigeon, Mallard +72 more · last seen 2026

Free

Playing fields

Playing field

Free

Family friendly

playground, café; Playing field

Free

Playgrounds

playground, café, parking

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Graphosoma italicum, Rambur's Pied Shieldbug, Rhyzobius chrysomeloides +73 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Graphosoma italicum, Rambur's Pied Shieldbug, Rhyzobius chrysomeloides +73 more · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

18 signed routes nearby · 11 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
New River LinkWalking route
Named routeRef NR linkLocal walking route
Epping Forest Big WalkWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
LOOP link to Enfield Lock stationWalking route
Named routePoint-to-pointRegional walking route
Beech TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Hertfordshire WayWalking route267 km

Long distance path

Named routeLength 267 kmRegional walking route
Waltons Walkpublic footpath · 724 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 724 mSurface asphaltPath type: cycleway
Waltons Walkpublic footpath · 74 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 74 mSurface asphaltPath type: cycleway
🚴

Cycling

130 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route (12)Cycling route

Alternative (step-free) route avoiding railway bridge

Named routeRef (12)Local cycle route
NCN National Route 1Cycling route
Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network
Forty Hall Park GreenwayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Cycleway 1Cycling route
Named routeRef C1Regional cycle route
Route (1)Cycling route

National Cycle Network link route

Named routeRef (1)Local cycle route
Cycleway 1Cycling route
Named routeRef C1Regional cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

The Small River Lea, Waltham Cross

📷 David Howard · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Small River Lea, Waltham Cross

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Abbey GardensUrban park1.1 km→🌱Grundy ParkUrban park2.2 km→🏞️RIVER LEECountry park3.5 km→🌱Abbey MeadowsUrban park1.1 km→✦Waltham Abbey, including gatehouse and Stoney BridgeHistoric site1.1 km→🌱Abbey GardensUrban park1.1 km→

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