Len Banister goes in search of some secenic history Visit a 15th century gatehouse and walk along two contrasting rivers.

To my mind it's worth the effort of turning out for this walk just to see the extraordinary Rye House. In fact what you will see is a beautiful and substantial remnant of what must have been a grand manor.

Looked after by Lea Valley Park and open on Sundays in the summer, the Elizabethan gatehouse which at one time housed conspirators plotting to kill Charles II is in an excellent setting for picnics and has the previous location of all rooms and courtyard tastefully outlined in brick on the ground.

The walk starts from a secluded car park and after a less than uplifting quarter of a mile past Thames Water's massive treatment centre we dive off into a pleasant nature reserve before continuing to St James Church. The latter comes complete with a nice wooden porch, box pews and a three-tier pulpit.

We cross fields to Roydon Station which has been imaginatively transformed into an excellent Italian restaurant and then continue for about a mile and a half besides the constantly meandering River Stort passing a mill and several locks on the way. At Fields Weir we exchange the Stort for the Lea and return for another look at the magnificent gatehouse.

Click here for map.

1. Start Leave the car park and go left along the road. Along the pavement here you will be following a whole variety of footprints ranging from those of large mammals to small birds.

Cross the Toll House stream and continue along the road with the massive water treatment works on your right. Continue through the Thames Water road barrier. There are now trees on the left. When you come to the end of the metal railings on the right take the footpath indicated by the finger post on the left. (This is a diversion; if you want to make the walk shorter, keep along the road skipping the next stage).

2. 0.6 mile/1km Keep along the path with a lake to the left. Just before reaching the main road go right at a waymarker. Although this is a noisy stretch, the path is narrow and attractive. When you come level with a road bridge to your left, turn right and continue to return to the road where you go left.

3. 1.2 miles/1.9km Continue to reach the main road. Cross diagonally right to climb steps into the churchyard of St James Church. Walk towards the church and, just before reaching it, turn right to return to the road. Go right and walk back.

About 10 metres from the junction you will find an almost hidden stile on the left. Cross this and go diagonally left across a large field heading towards the industrial buildings of Harlow in the distance.

In the very far corner you cross another stile and again go diagonally left to reach a metal kissing gate and bridge which delivers you to a road.

4. 2 miles/3.2km Turn right and walk up to Roydon Station which, although a working station, now houses the excellent Franco's Italian restaurant. Cross the railway track and immediately turn right to walk alongside the River Stort towards Roydon Mill. Just before the bridge to the mill, bear left to follow the line of the river. Pass Brick lock with its recently restored keeper's cottage of 1830. In about mile you will reach Lower Lock with its weeping willows and shortly after you arrive at Fields Weir.

5. 3.4 miles/5.4km Cross the weir by a metal railed concrete bridge. On the other side walk past an imitation log cabin and swing right over a bridge with a gigantic power station ahead. Now turn right to walk along what is now the River Lea past Fields Weir lock, and under a railway bridge with Go-Kart tracks on the other side of the river.

Soon you will see a pub over to the right with a bridge ahead.

About 40 metres before the bridge, take the tarmac path on the left which takes you up to the road. Go right at the top and right over the bridge.

Cross a footbridge (over the moat) on the left to walk back to the car park via the gatehouse.

Walker's notebook Starting Point/Parking: You can get to Rye Meads from either Hoddesdon or Roydon. Follow directions to Rye Meads station, the gatehouse with its small car park is nearby.

Distance: 4.1 miles/6.5km
Time: 2 hours
Terrain: level with good paths.
Stiles: 2 good for small dogs
Near: Hoddesdon and Roydon
Refreshments: The Rye House pub at the start and Franco's restaurant at Roydon
Public Toilets: none
Public Transport: You can easily reach the start of this walk by train from Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale. Alternatively, if you were coming from Harlow you could catch a train and start from Roydon.
Map and Grid Reference: Explorer 174; 386099.
More Information: This walk is based on one of a series called Roydon Walks which is produced with sponsorship by Roydon Parish Council.

You can climb to the top of Rye House for a small charge on Sundays and Bank holidays contact Lea Valley Park Information Centre 01992 702200. West Essex Ramblers: memberships and free programme of walks with leaders: 020 8524 2737 (Redbridge Group: 01708 456 771 and Lea Valley Friends who specialise in walks of 3 to 4 miles: 020 8529 7328).