The Enfield Loop
Just north of Green Lanes
Before we meet the Enfield loop, a continuation of the New River's course north of Green Lanes is neccessary. The noted Clarendon Arch is along this stretch.
A view of the Clarendon Arch. Its not possible to see it in its entirety as the surrounding land is private
The Clarendon arch is sited in a quite wide valley and this was the site of the Bush Hill Frame. That was a 660ft long wooden aqueduct, lined in lead built for the opening of the New River in 1613. with a stone arch over the river. A more substantial arch was built in 1682 and named after the Earl of Clarendon, the then Governor of the New River Company. Modifcations took place in 1725. The arch is now listed as a grade II structure. The original wooden aqueduct on either side of the arch was replaced by the embankment in 1786.
Adjacent to Bush Hill Road is this gauging building. The section of New River northwards is private, although a view of it can be gained from a cul de sac off Park Avenue further north. From Park Avenue the New River is piped underground in what can only be termed a sump as the land through which the pipes pass is much lower than the New River itself. The original New River headed along the south side of Park Avenue and past Bush Hill. The course of the New River has been obliterated by houses off Bush Hill, but street names give clues to the original alignment. One of these is Amwell Close. Some properties in Amwell Close and Whitethorn Gardens have a water feature at the bottom of their gardens, on the original New River alignment. Those properties at the western end of Whitethorn Gardens however have the luxury of a real New River! There is no walkway along this section but it can be viewed from Enfield Town Park.
Houses off Amwell Close built on the embankment that carried the New River west of Bush Hill
A view from Town Park down the remaining bit of New River at the rear of Whitethorn Gardens
A view looking the other way to the Enfield Town Park section
The New River through Enfield is a delight. Whilst not part of the working waterway, it does provide a peaceful haven which is a must to walk along. The New River stopped flowing through Enfield in the early 20th Century, although for a short period in the 1940's the town loop was reinstated temporarily when bombs destroyed the piped section. Click here to continue the section through Enfield
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