Walk to the Source of a buried River in Ilford East London - The Cran Brook (4K)

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This walk follows the course of the Cran Brook through the streets of Ilford in East London to its source near Barkingside.
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Watch - a walk along Loxford Water and Seven Kings Water • River Walk through Bar...
We start on Wanstead Flats and pass through Aldersrbook, a model Edwardian suburb that is seen as a great example of the vernacular revival. Passing down Empress Avenue we look for the site of the Redbridge Nuclear Shelter near Empress Avenue Allotments. These allotments were used as a location in the Mike Leigh film Another Year.
The path takes us around the outer perimeter of the Wanstead Park, through the Epping Forest Exchange Lands and near the site of an isolation hospital. We pass beneath the pylons and cross the River Roding into the streets of Cranbrook. The Cran Brook makes its confluence with the Roding on Ilford Golf Course which I was unable to access, but the course through the streets here is marked on the map in the video. The name, Cranbrook has its earliest use in 1233 as Cranebroc. We follow the Brook along Empress Avenue, Ilford, through an area called The Wash and into Valentines Park.
Valentines Park was featured in an episode of the radio show I produced and co-presented with Nick Papadimitriou on Resonance FM, Ventures and Adventures in Topography. It's one of my favourite London parks. Author Thomas Burke described it as The Eastern Queen in his 1920's book, The Outer Circle - rambles in remote London. The Valentines Estate had existed before Valentines Mansion was built in the 1690's for the widow of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Park once had a Lido which was demolished in 1994 and it is said to be the inspiration for the Small Faces song Itchycoo Park. Roman era burials were excavated in the grounds of the house in 1724. The Cran Brook can be seen flowing through the Park into the boating lake.
From Valentines Park we walk along Quebec Road, the go along the A12 Eastern Avenue and turn into Horns Road. We can see the shape of the river valley from Netley Road, Birkbeck Road and Perkins Road where the river runs beneath the Sainsburys Car Park.
We follow the alleyway that takes us over the Central Line behind Newbury Park Station and into Oaks Lane. From Oaks Lane we go into a field that leads us to where the springs gurgle to the surface giving birth to the brook not far from Barkingside Station.
Many thanks to Vincent Goodman for sending me a map showing the course of the Cran Brook and for suggesting this walk.
Links
Wanstead to Barking along the River Roding featuring the River Roding • Wanstead to Barking al...
Ilford Local History ilfordhistoric... / ilfordhistory
Redbridge Nuclear Bunker Wanstead Wildlife blog wansteadwildli...
Wanstead Park video thelostbyway.co...
This Other London audio book (Amazon affiliate link) amzn.to/3gn57X7
Radio Show Iflord Episode bit.ly/3hWqtLl
Music - from the RU-vid Audio Library
Lost & Found by Dan Lebowitz
Fresh Fallen Snow by Chris Haugen
The Two Seasons by Dan Bodan
Song of Sadhana by Jesse Gallagher
Monumental Journey by Jesse Gallagher
Map credit: “© OpenStreetMap contributors” www.openstreet...
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Make a donation to help support the channel paypal.me/John... - many thanks!
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2 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 311

@vinnygood 4 года назад

Thank you to John Rogers for making this film. I’m delighted our conversation inspired you to take this walk. Great job! from Vincent Goodman

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

it was such a pleasure Vincent, thanks so much for the idea and your guidance.

@WinstonOBoogie_ 4 года назад

After visiting the UK a couple of times, this is the stuff I’m looking for. The real UK off the beaten track that the locals will see, very nicely done.

@Pierlover 4 года назад

Wow! this bought back so many memories, especially the part around Valentine's Park. My nan and cousins lived in Perth Road and I seemed to spend a large part of my childhood in the park there. In fact, I like to claim I carry a part of Valentine's Park around with me even now - in the form of a splinter in my left thumb. We kids were jumping over a little stream near Valentine's House when I crash landed on a tree stump. At the time I got most of the splinter out but a bit remained - and is still visible over 60 years later. Amazing it never festered! Just as well as I am a pianist by profession. I also remember that bit of the culvert near the cafe - just after it had been landscaped that way. It became an unofficial paddling pool and on hot days was packed with families and kids - it all looks a bit overgrown now! And on the subject of rivers - I'd still like to see you do a walk along the Ingrebourne, John!

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

thanks for sharing those great memories Douglas. Yes, the Ingrebourne is on the list - thanks for the reminder

@andrewbanham8433 4 года назад

Hi River Ingrebourne to the river Beam (Rom) and see how much is left on the Romford canal.

@christineburns5246 2 года назад

Sorry I’m late to this but the walk through Valentine’s Park had me reminiscing too. Back in 1958 I was four, my parents and grandma lived in Goodmayes (which also has an interesting brook through Westbrook Park) and I have a vivid memory of a day when Mum and Grandma walked from home in Wellwood Road to Valentine’s Park, entering through the east end gate on Quebec Road. The vivid parts are the terraced open culvert, which I loved to walk along, and the red squirrels leaping from tree to tree above. I also remember being curious about how the water disappeared under Cranbrook Road. Sometimes we would come at it the other way, after tea and ice cream at the Lyons on Cranbrook. I had to resort to Google maps to realise that the walk from the park exit to home was less than two miles (though it seemed a lot longer to little me). Everything was so clean and neat in those days. The park had keepers and all the grass was regularly mown. Thanks for triggering such a rich memory of childhood.

@SolaPortal 3 года назад

Thanks John, good memories

@tracybrock8415 4 года назад

Quebec, Perth, Adelaide Road etc, are known as The Commonwealth Estate. Great video as always!

@paulm.7422 4 года назад

Greetings from Dallas, John. You tour my old haunts from growing up, which is a great insight into the changes that have taken place since I emigrated, 30 years ago. Best wishes and stay safe!

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Wonderful to be able to take you back to the streets of East London all the way over in Dallas Paul

@annepuffett2025 4 года назад

You are an inspiration I live in northampton since watching you I have been out walking and discovering so much more keep the videos coming fabulous blessings

@akgo2684 4 года назад

I surprisingly got recommended thus video. And surprisingly, I was delightfully impressed with it. I'm subscribing!

@markahomer 4 года назад

Aldersbrook Riding School? There was a riding school there in the early 60s. And had forgotten about Valentine's Park. Last went in the mid 70s. So many of your walks trigger memories.

@richardsuperfine826 3 года назад

Another wonderful video. I used to work in that Sainsbury's! And as a kid I would wander around in that field where the Cran Brook rises. I also remember it being very boggy and water logged. There was a hollow tree near that field too which was always enchanting. Did you notice the large concrete blocks in that area? Used to block the passage of tanks during wartime.

@miiq352 4 года назад

I’m a local thanks for highlighting the interesting history and pleasantness of Ilford and the surrounding area. It has a bad rep with people and I want everyone to know it’s a nice area on the whole.

@sidholland 4 года назад

John, I keep meaning to add a comment and tell you how much I've been enjoying your walks. It's only recently that I chanced upon your content and I'm certainly glad I did. I live in Amsterdam and, like you, enjoy taking long largely unplanned walks around the city and surrounding countryside. In more recent times I've begun to refer to this as walking in the spirit of John Rogers! I shall be visiting family in the UK next week and I'm already excited at the prospect of an extended stroll in the Hertfordshire countryside. Thanks for the continued inspiration!

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

that's really wonderful to hear Simon. Hertfordshire is such a great county for walking - hope you have a great time

@timbuthfer901 4 года назад

Fascinating as always, thanks John. I think Burke crystallised Ilford perfectly "only fools go to Ilford" 😂.

@rickoneillable 4 года назад

Your enthusiasm is infectious. Like Geoff Marshall. Great stuff!

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Thanks Rick - I really enjoy Geoff's videos

@Mr223P 4 года назад

Grew up around the Cran Brook, playing along the tank tracks near where it springs, had many school friends who lived near where it is covered (Emmott Ave Perkins Rd etc etc) and where it springs up in Valentines Pk it has those wonderful concrete steps either side which we hopped our BMX’s over all the time (right near the old Valentine’s Lido) fantastic times...

@minijames2777 4 года назад

Another great walk John, already looking forward to next week 👍🏼🍺

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

wonderful to hear James

@seekwisdom7757 4 года назад

Popped up on You tube . An attractively filmed & presented fascinating walk in an area I'm very familiar with. I loved the history & sent the link to people In the local area & some teachers I know. Thank you so much.Ive subscribed.

@danielscott524 4 года назад

Route 66 has another nickname that is fitting when talking about Eastern Avenue- The Mother Road. Also appropriate when you realise Ilford Maternity Hospital was located in Newbury Park- on the A12. A wonderful trip into the great plains of Aldborough in search of the Cranbrook’s origins - the whole of the Hatch is an incubus of story and lore. When you have a chance, tracing the Seven Kings Water is very rewarding indeed and knits together several of your walks...

@humble4533 4 года назад

Thanks John as ever for your interesting and beautifully shot film. I appreciate all your hard efforts. Look forward to the next one. Stay safe

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

cheers Humble

@TaliyaDarling 4 года назад

I grew up in this area and went to the primary school just down the road from belgrave road.. this took me down memory lane. Thank you for this video.

@tomgirldouble3249 4 года назад

A loverly walk john, so interesting when you found the source, so much water in such a dry season incredible. Thank you. 😀👍

@cazmaj 4 года назад

Great vid, such a knowledgeable guy you are for sure! Thanks mate :)

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

thanks cazmaj

@richardholmes4552 4 года назад

Love your films, especially in the borough of redbridge. just a note that i remember watching essex play cricket in valentines park in the 80's, I think they did 1 week a year there

@aethellstan 4 года назад

I'm afraid that stopped a few years ago, with Essex no longer playing in Ilford as one of their "touring grounds" I believe Ilford CC still play there though and it is still well maintained.

@steveholmes11 3 года назад

Lovely little ground. I remember Keith Boyce, and later Graham Gooch bombarding the 169 bus that trundles down Cranbrook road just outside. Dad played for Ilford, and there was plenty for a young son to do at the ground. Run up and down the terraced steps by the road, or behind the Bowling green. Help operate the pull-over scoreboard, or wander down to the boating lake. England Captains Graham Gooch, Nasser Hussian, plus bowler John Lever (also Nasser's father) all played at Ilford.

@richarddiver1562 3 года назад

Another great video of a place I know well. At 19:20 you pan out across Ilford Cricket Club’s third eleven pitch which isn’t where Essex used to play. The Ilford CC first team ground and clubhouse, which used to be one of the Essex CCC out-grounds, is back on the park’s Cranbrook Road border.

@JohnEades 4 года назад

Hi John, I have spent many a happy hour in Valentines Park in my younger days, played a lot of cricket there & played on the pitch & putt back in the day. Valentines Park is/was actually two parks, Valentines & Cranbrook. Valentines being the front section nearest Ilford Town Centre joining around the mid point with Cranbrook. Essex had a cricket week there every year up until the mid to late 90's from memory. Thank you once again for the fantastic content, always gives me a lift on a Sunday :)

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

thanks for those memories and notes John - never realised Valentines was actually two parks

@FIO6271 4 года назад

John thanks so much for this beautiful content once again! Love how the arquitecture of the park adaptes to the flow of the water stream, it looks so peaceful and hopeful

@gavinsmith8330 4 года назад

Hi John Thank you for this, yet another great video. As I have said some time ago, I spent my young to teenage years growing up and roaming the streets of Ilford and the East End and many a day playing truant in Valentines Park. I used to visit the park with my parents when I was very young and with friends growing up, playing football and cricket, getting chased on our bikes by the Park Keepers ! I remember a small stream that ran South into the Cranbrook about halfway along the main pathway from where the Lido used to be to the point that you showed where it entered the boating lake near the Cafeteria. I had many an ice cream in there during those long hot Summer holidays. I am talking about fifty plus years ago up until about 1978. Your video brings back lots of fond memories. I was watching with my 14 year old daughter and telling her where I used to fish in the Roding, Wanstead Park and Wanstead Flats, where I had all my fishing gear stolen one night when I was about 13yrs old. Keep up the great work. Thanks again.

@AR-qh8uc 4 года назад

I went to oaks Park High school right next to the source, used to go there all the time. If you kept walking a little bit more you would've seen a huge ditch with some water in it

@daveconyard8946 4 года назад

Thank you John Keep Safe, Dave

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

thanks Dave

@richardpicking4459 4 года назад

Nice walk John and thanks for making them so enjoyable. Two bits brought back happy childhood memories. Firstly playing in the concrete sculptured course of the Cran Brook through Valentines Park, building dams and racing small boats. The other memory is my sister keeping her horse Rajah in the fields between Newbury Park and Barkingside during the 1960's. I remember it being muddy then. Till next time.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

thanks for sharing those wonderful memories Richard

@wombat1238marsupial 4 года назад

Another great video and another great walk, cheers up my Sunday evening😊

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

wonderful to hear!

@PhilHands-my6kc Год назад

Thanks for making this interesting video. I think though that maybe the source of the Cran Brook is some distance further north. A look at old OS maps shows multiple tributaries and possible sources in the Barkingside area which are now all culverted. A road called Cranbourne Gardens crosses one of the tributaries which appears to be fed from a spring at the junction of Mossford Lane and Fulwell Avenue. Another source, perhaps the primary one, is a short distance south of Fairlop station directly west of the railway embankment. That said, the Chapman/Andre Essex map of 1777 shows the source as a large pond at or very near the location you identified.

@topsecret_gtr3741 4 года назад

Brilliant video pal! Was up here couple days ago amazing video! Just subscribed to your channel 👍

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

thanks Asif

@milkmanofhumankindness5118 4 года назад

Great walk, and intresting facts as ever John, enjoyed that thanks, There was a pub here john, which was ran by a vicar who was very much into the temperance movement, and only sold soft drinks, he must have had a sense of humour though, cause it was called the try again! Cheers John.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

brilliant story - thanks for that

@thedanubemuse1133 4 года назад

Greetings from Budapest John. Another great walk-lots of interesting historical footnotes. I came across your wonderful videos during the lockdown here this spring, and they've helped me get through this period. Did you ever walk to the source of the Lea as you suggested you might in one of your videos? The Upper Lea is my old stomping ground and there's plenty on that suburban/urban route to discover. Best wishes.

@RendererEP 4 года назад

Valentines park is one of my favourite parks in outer East London, I go all the way from Havering to visit and its nice to find out some history about it too. By any chance would you know what the large rocks along the Long Water with the water underneath them are for?

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

I'm afraid I don't Elijah, perhaps they were part of the original landscaping of Valentines House?

@bryan3550 3 года назад

Eureka! Well done, John, finding the source... Since watching your treks, I've bought a copy of Nicholson's Greater London Street Atlas so that I can follow you here in Melbourne, Oz! Can't wait to visit London again, but who knows when that will be. 🤔

@JohnRogersWalks 3 года назад

great stuff Bryan - enjoy that Nicholson's

@beeh2592 4 года назад

fascinating information on my neck of the woods! Love it!!

@Abdul.M. 4 года назад

I grew up Ilford went to Ilford Town hall they had Trolleys buses Trams use go through the centre if you got ley Street there was old Tram and Trolleys Depot.

@kewelish 4 года назад

In the ‘80s, my son and two of his friends equipped themselves with torches, and went into the culvert in Valentines Park and they went all the way through to where it appears again at Newbury Park, only to find the gate padlocked at the other end, so they walked all the way back again! Needless to say, I didn’t know about it!

@schweppesz9215 4 года назад

I live in Ilford, and yes, to go to Ilford is a fool's act. Valentines park is quite nice though.

@samrahm8818 4 года назад

FRR

@aethellstan 4 года назад

I live a couple of miles away from Ilford. I avoid it like the plague.

@samrahm8818 4 года назад

@@aethellstan 😂😂

@schweppesz9215 4 года назад

@@aethellstan If I could, I would. lol

@aethellstan 3 года назад

@@markohenry5891 There are lots of big houses, especially on the side of the park near the telephone exchange going towards Gants Hill and the A12, but even then the area is getting really horrible, its kind of oozing away from the town centre and spreading further and further out...! Still, musn't grumble.

@birderdavid1 4 года назад

Another great video John always enjoy them best wishes Dave Webster

@jazzman9042 4 года назад

A great walk as always John. A+ I wonder how many years that little brook has risen to the surface just there, while the hubbub of human life has noisily side stepped around it. BTW, my uncle used to run the Cranbook pub in Ilford many moons ago. Sadly the pub has gone as has my uncle.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Thanks Michael. Yes there was something magical about seeing those springs coming through the ground. Sorry to hear about your uncle - I'm sure there are many great memories of that pub

@charaderaptor 4 года назад

I used to live near the source but never knew the name but looking at the topography of the land and slope, I had imagined the stream flowing towards the tube tracks which were old train tracks and then water flowing into the sainsbury's car park and beyond. Across, Perkins road and Chase lane has a distinctive dip suggesting the flow. You read the land exactly I had thought. I've learnt so much today from you. Thank you.

@stevegee7593 4 года назад

Do you have to keep reminding me of work (4 years retired) a few weeks ago Leytonstone. Coppermill last week and now Ilford North. I hope out of the 3 of them Ilford gets a preservation notice put on the facia. For anybody wondering they are all Telephone exchanges.

@hamjazz 4 года назад

What about V A L entine exchange?

@Rickyivesofficial 4 года назад

Great video John! I wanted to take a trip tomorrow to Wanstead park and get some new footage! ❤️ I’ll probably pop over there towards sunset most probably. Hope your well! Love the way your videos are very informative!

@gramilwolf3448 4 года назад

I hope your backs better. Re. Hitchcock, according to a local expert Hitchcock did not like the police because he was kept in Leytonstone police cell to 'teach him a lesson' when he was quite young. This antagonism is represented in his films as he often depicted the police in an unsympathetic manner. The Edith Thompson event probably exacerbated his feelings in this regard. Great VLOG. Sunday evenings much improved thanks to you.

@GMT439 7 месяцев назад

There's a lot of underground waterways that most people have no idea exist. The Midlands has a massive interconnected aquifer. They were all used for hydro DC Power in the real past.

@timmo1782 4 года назад

Newish subscriber, really enjoying your videos. I bought your book from Amazon a couple of weeks ago, print edition. In the words of Alan Partridge, lovely stuff!

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Brilliant thanks Tim - and great to hear the print edition of the book is still available. Can't beat a Partridge quote

@angelailovekeepingupappear2466 2 года назад

I find watching your videos is a great way to forget about all my troubles and irritating people in this funny world

@vaunmalone3064 4 года назад

I envy your explorations! Looks like anywhere near Epping forest is fabulous!

@Chelsea88871 4 года назад

Very interesting John. You may have noticed a number of houses that don't quite match their neighbours on your walk - the result of bomb damage in WW2. The old Plessey HQ (where these were aimed at) used to proudly display an unexploded bomb outside their entrance. Ironically, this was removed when Siemens took over and the old buildings were raised to the ground. We lived in Mayfair Ave (next road up from Empress Ave). Our friends house down the road still had an air raid shelter in the garden in the 1960's. I also remember watching the visiting Australians play Essex at Valentines Park in the 1970's and being able to walk up the players after the game to collect autographs. I must thank my old friend Ade (who lived in Kensington Gardens, further up The Drive) for sending me to this page

@SoulfulAde 4 года назад

Tom W my pleasure Tom. 👍🏼

@line2bassman80 3 года назад

"Ironically, this was removed when Siemens took over and the old buildings were raised to the ground" I always joke that the Germans got it in the end ! :-)

@MeTheRob 4 года назад

Fine expedition. The ending was magical. 18:59 I could definitely hear some babbling, but I don't think it was the brook.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

thanks Rob

@peterbuckley265 4 года назад

PROBABLY THE USUAL BABBLING OF LIES FROM ALL THE SCUM TORIS !!!!.

@nzd3742 4 года назад

I ended up buying the eBook of _This Other London_ through Google Play. I hope you still get something out of that! Even on Abebooks, the going rate for a second-hand copy is about 60 quid..

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Thanks for finding a copy. I've just heard that the paperback will be back in stock some time soon

@sheilaroderick9123 2 года назад

I used to live in Yoxley Drive - the next road to Cantley Gardens. When we moved there in 1953, the Cranbrook flowed open between the back gardens there. We had a large cat fish at one point and released it into the brook because it got too big for its tank. A couple of years after, the council culverted the brook in, but a number of the trees which lined the brook banks remained for quite a number of years. Thank you for such a lovely programme. I came across it purely by chance. I now live in the Outer Hebrides, and am enjoying the memories of London that you are stirring up.

@maryammahmood7260 4 года назад

Please also make a video of Newbury park ,area around Memorial heights. Thanks

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

I certainly will Maryam - in the meantine Newbury Park features in these videos ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7NhmYqn_VNk.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fFXHz0FiXkM.html

@stevepryor5293 4 года назад

I just finished "This Other London" this morning, so it was great to see this! A highly recommended read, and another wonderfully calming walk, thank you, John.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Great to hear Steve - glad you enjoyed the book

@ashleysgaze 4 года назад

We've entered a period of hard lockdown here in Melbourne, so this is (once again) a near-perfect antidote to stasis and everyday banality. Thanks John, and please keep-up your (tele)peripatetic ways! P.S. There is no temperance here!

@danielscott524 4 года назад

I liked how John went through the Commonwealth Estate and crossed Melbourne Road on the way out of the Park! Solidarity, Ashley. I’m in Phase 4 with you. Mining my 5km circle!

@Lee-ox2xt 5 месяцев назад

John I lived in Granville road it all seemed posh however we were east end kids and as an okdé man I lived on the drive. It was posh to canning an

@Lee-ox2xt 5 месяцев назад

John u are a legend

@thewalkingman777 4 года назад

I wonder why there are two Empress Avenues, one each side of the Ilford Golf course? Must be a reason as you don't see two streets with the same name so close to together ever really, do you. Hmmmm....

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

I did wonder about that Michael - I'll have to look into it, I'd have thought that the Aldersbrook one is 20 years or so older than the Cranbrook Empress Avenue but I could be wrong

@danielscott524 4 года назад

Before 1965, one was in the Borough of Wanstead & Woodford and the other in Ilford...now joined as Redbridge!

@Ribeirasacra 4 года назад

I was "dragged up " in Ilford. Used to go to Valentines Park quite often as a child. I remember her was a boating lake too. Lost a few models in there. looking at the maps it does not seem like it is there now. Showing the canal and the cafeteria brought back memories form many many years ago. I have searched your channel for the expedition to South Park, but cannot find it. Is it still on You Tube?

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Great stuff. Sorry I didn't make a video of the South Park walk but it's a chapter in my book This Other London

@andrewbeaven6190 4 года назад

Rowing boats can still be hired on the main lake (just re-opened post-lockdown), and you get to share the water with cormorants and the occasional heron. The footpath at 20.00 leads to a small ‘wildlife garden” (ragwort & teasles, to 20.19) which _might_ be the site of the model boat lake - there was a small sunken garden here (two or three small steps down from the path, a simple oval concrete path set around the garden) where the wildflowers grow now, backing on to the first houses in Quebec Road.

@pavanubhi1227 4 года назад

A very interesting insight into my local area .. top job John !

@andrewbanham8433 4 года назад

Hi all A spring fed brook in Essex. It is a sad fact most Essex Brooks and Rivers are in a bad way. The river Roding in Ongar, Shonks Mill Bridge and Abridge are below normal and Loughton and Redbridge are even lower. EA River Levels website updated daily.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Thanks Andrew - the Loughton Brook and Cobbins Brook were looking very dry today too

@Signals927 4 года назад

I believe that Cranbrook Park and Valentines Park are one. From the Wash it is Cranbrook Park and as you go further over it is known as Valentines Park where there is an entrance from Perth Road. As a child during the war and growing up in the 50's and 60's that's how we referred to it. By the way the Australian Cricket Team played Essex where the Ilford cricket club is in the park, that was in the 60's.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

thanks for those notes - great to think of the Aussies playing out there in the 1960's

@si8568 4 года назад

The redbridge Council have neglected ilford where south park is where the river flows.. they invest all their money in to chigwell wanstead

@farhana2517 4 года назад

The river runs through wanstead park I visit almost every month

@Terry-ed1pi 5 месяцев назад

There used to be a lido in valentines park

@dawnshields5398 3 года назад

Thank you John, I thought that was a really fascinating video. I'm glad I came across it. I used to live in the area of Cranbrook and went to both Highlands Primary and Wanstead High School in the seventies/eighties so it was great to watch. It was very interesting to watch how you tried to follow the course of the Cran Brook. Fascinating! As kids, we used to visit Wanstead Park and Valentines park regularly. All the best, Dawn

@57bananaman 4 года назад

Essex County Cricket club used to play one or two games each season in Valentines Park in the late 1990s. They used to play at Ilford Cricket Club, which is on Cranbrook Road, just to the north of "The Wash", rather than at the cricket ground pointed out in this video. Temporary stands used to be erected to accommodate a few thousand fans,

@IlfordRetro 4 года назад

Lol, is it just me, or do others have a slight anxiety as you near the end of your walks and say you "need to get home in just over an hour..."? Will you get back in time for live streams, dinner and dad tasks? I always hope you do and that no blood will be spilt if you don't. Great to see good old Vincent's research and route trodden on this outing.

@loughtonfolkclub827 4 года назад

Hi John I love the river walks hidden or otherwise. I seem to be drawn to rivers, spent most of the day in Beckton by the Thames. I never knew all that marshy land was by Newbury Park station. I alight at Newbury Park to go to work. I shall now find the time to expore it. The glorious summer days of watching Essex CCC at Ilford, Graham Gooch, Derek Pringle and John Lever, packed lunch, pints in the beer tent and the sound of the heavy roller. Great video. Gary

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

What a fantastic Essex team to watch at Valentines Park, incredible to think of those legends there. I've been told that Graham Gooch went to school in Leyton at Norlington, just round the corner from me, so he may have played at Valentines as a kid

@lycan36 4 года назад

Another great vlog John, I so wish you could bottle your enthusiasm! looking forwards to your next adventure. All the best to you and your family.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

thanks so much Shaun

@zugbug1986 4 года назад

That's a good one John I don't know if it was intentional saying the A12 feels like route 66 in America to you just after the 66 bus passed you, more like bus route 66. Cheers John I must get back to Valentines Park soon it's been far too long since I've had a walk through there.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Ha, the 66 is my favourite bus route for that very reason - great spot

@zugbug1986 4 года назад

@@JohnRogersWalks Cheers John.

@Abdul.M. 4 года назад

talking about 66 goes to Wanstead High Street . nice area

@brianjrichman 4 года назад

John, I used to live in a house where my back garden overlooked the Sainsbury's car park. So close!!!

@LDNLaura 4 года назад

Love watching these videos. I live in the area myself and am always walking, especially during the summer. I'm half expecting to spot you filming one day.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Thanks Laura- we’re bound to bump into each other one day

@robbojax2025 4 года назад

Lovely link to childhood memories. I grew up in Manor Park near the Roding. As kids we would either walk to Wanstead Park around the City of London Cemetery, known as the bridle path, to Empress Avenue. Then into the park and around the Ornamental lake, and back via Wanstead Flats. It was also my school's cross country run route. We would also walk along Northbrook Road to Valentine's Park. I remember fishing in the Cran Brook for stickle backs. I also remember bunking into the Ilford Cricket ground to watch Essex v West Indies in the 1950s. I have enjoyed many of your other videos of the area and the memories of my childhood and teen years.

@mike_eightyseven 4 года назад

Hi John. Loved this video. I think perhaps you may have got the location on Belgrave Road slightly wrong for the murder? I believe the couple were walking back from Ilford Station along Wanstead Park Road but as they lived in Kensington Gardens it would have made more sense for them to turn directly into Kensington rather than walk two junctions down to where Belgrave Road meets Wanstead Park Road? Happy to be wrong on this of course. I learnt alot in this video

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Thanks Michael - that's good insight on the location, I did think that after I shot that piece to camera and shot another piece later along the road but left it out. I reckon you're right

@michaelstevens630 4 года назад

Do wonder if Boris Johnson was one of the big fat rats you witnessed?

@lilmsrach 4 года назад

Thank you for your videos. I was in Valentine's Park with my dad on Tuesday and i was looking out for the Brook. I think I definetly found it. That is my dad's local park. I like waterfalls/locks. It seemed like some sort of feature like that may have existed in the past. It's a shame if so, but sign of the times. I have appointments in Barking and one morning was looking for the Hand Trough Creek and Mill Point. I wasn't able to find it before my appointment, but i will go back to it. It seems i have to move a bit further out to Kent to see more waterfalls, having feel exhausted all there is to see in London. It would be nice if you could perhaps do a video on waterfals/locks. I find them so calming. I live in the borough of Redbridge.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Thanks for that comment lilmsrach. I’d love to find some waterfalls near London. I have a few Canal walks on here with plenty of lochs - particularly my recent walk along the Lea Navigation. I’ve never heard of the Hand Trough Creek, I want to go looking now

@sabuzacwalker3822 4 года назад

I'm looking forward to your London trip, it's so beautiful, I'm leaving a gift to my new friend👍🚶‍♂️👏♥️

@ianspicer3885 4 года назад

I enjoyed this one as I lived in Redcliffe Gdns which runs from Cranbrook Rd to The Drive so this is very nostalgic as I emigrated to Adelaide Australia over 30 years ago I look forward to watching more videos 👍👍👍👍

@Mick_Holland 4 года назад

👍🏼What a lovely film, John. And a marvellous, romantic ending - even though you may have been ankle deep in sludge. Your films have inspired me to take up suburban rambling around Leicester. We have quite a few buried streams and brooks worthy of investigation that feed into the river Soar thence onwards to the mighty Trent! Cheers 👍🏼

@malcolmmogotsi8586 4 года назад

thanks for this video brought me back my childhood memories of back in 1995 when i used to go wanstead. and oh yes i do remember the bunker you was looking for lol

@sandycheeks7865 4 года назад

Ever considered a bit of dousing along the way or is that all claptrap?

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Good question and I've been asked a number of times. I'd be up for going along with an expert dowser but to be honest I prefer to use a map - I can't see how it works

@LondonMint 4 года назад

Very interesting... Amazing video.. Really appreciated

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Thank you

@martinlawrence8427 4 года назад

Love it John...fascinating walk...river hunting could become a new hobby!

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Great stuff - River Hunting is so interesting, I get genuinely really excited when tracking a river

@mariana4059 4 года назад

Thoroughly enjoyed this walk, thank you, John. Especially the cinematic references. I loved Another Year, and what a treat to see the allotments on one of your walks. The Edith Thompson case is very sad - I see that a film about the case was made in 2001, called, coincidentally, Another Life.

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it Mariana - I'll have to take a look at the Thompson film, you can imagine what Hitchcock would have done with that story though

@john80c 4 года назад

Love these walks along the underground rivers. Our major rivers here, the Potomac and Shenandoah are above ground as are the various tributaries. There may be underground streams in Washington but that's about it. Unlike the Roding and Lea we cannot walk the rivers and streams as they are on private or government land and so would have to kayak them.

@kendalchen 4 года назад

I absolutely love this sort of thing. Here in the Pacific Northwest of the US we have so many creeks and rivers that have been forced underground and being able to read not only primary sources but the current city- or townscape like you do in this video. In Portland often the houses are much newer than the creeks over which they’re built, but flooded basements and bioswales sometimes provide clues. Other times the city outright filled gulches and culverted high-volume streams in a Gilded Age push for progress. It’s a bit hard to fully grasp that thinking; nowadays it would be handled much differently. I envy you the longer history of structures to use for reference and I’ve subscribed to see what other water hunts you go on. Greetings from Oregon!

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

All the best to you in Oregon - would love to visit one day. In the video I just uploaded I 'accidently' stumble across one of the more notable 'lost' buried rivers of London - the Westbourne or Kilburn which crosses beneath an old Roman road ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-07sM9KDiyJc.html

@abishar7764 4 года назад

This is so interesting because I literally live in Newbury Park and I’ve never known about this

@exessex3522 3 года назад

I was at Ilford County High School (ICHS) for boys in Barkingside and when I was 16 I started going out with a girl who was at ICHS for Girls which bordered on Valentines Park. I, and others, spent a lot of time at the fence separating the school and the park. Right near there was a circular bench around the trunk of an enormous tree. Anybody remember that? (The school is now Valentines High School, I believe.)

@jonrome2839 Год назад

I remember that bench & the red squirrels!

@jackyrussell1243 4 года назад

I really enjoyed this film - recommended by my skin and blister. We grew up in Wanstead Lane and spent a lot of time in Valentines Park. We had some pieces of stone in the garden there that looked as though they had been part of columns. It was said that they came from Cranbrook Castle. Thanks again.

@schweppesz9215 4 года назад

I was born and brought up in east London. I never cared for or paid any attention to history lessons in school, especially history about my area. However, as an adult I sit and enjoy your videos, learning about places I walk past everyday. Fascinating.

@anthonycliftonjones2564 8 месяцев назад

Are you sure that you are following the correct course of the Cran Brook? Consider the names Cranbrook Drive, Cranbrook Rise and Cranbrook Castle all in Gantshill.

@DHILRAJ 4 года назад

Im absolutely blown away by your knowledge of the area in which I was born and still frequently travel to meeting friends and having dinners out

@trooperthatsall5250 4 года назад

temperance on not drinking - but heroin, cocaine, opiates all in your health drinks.. LOL - This is where I live, maybe the raise and film on the Cauliflower Gin house - it needs saving as its listed but Redbridge is planning to demolish it under the 7 year planning rules.. ~trooper

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

Funnily enough I passed the Cauliflower on today's walk along the Loxford and Seven Kings Water - the video will be online next Sunday

@chrismccartney8668 4 года назад

Have you the details on the Holt Channels which fed Wanstead Park it's the Wanstead park site or just type Holt channels and part of is lost but parts are still around.

@briancox144 4 года назад

Another great episode John of walks and informational facts from around our area wonderful mate keep up the good work most enjoyable

@JohnRogersWalks 4 года назад

cheers Brian

@benwherlock9869 4 года назад

As someone who has spent the last twelve years walking around Cambridge over and over again trying to find every route, I must say that I really love these videos. Even the most mundane looking bit of geography can be a treasure trove.