From Harlow to Sawbridgeworth
Lift bridge at the entrance to Moorhen Marina, Harlow
Above Harlow (Burnt Mill) the Stort takes on a very sinous course all the way to Harlow Mill. Its a very attractive stretch despite the town's main industrial estates being ever present just a short distance away. The Stort forms the border of Essex and Hertfordshire from above Moorhen Marina to a point south of Harlow lock
Much of the stretch above Burnt Mill seems rural, but for those who venture onthe river in wintertime the foliage is bare and the proximity of factories and warerhouse units can be seen through the trees around Latton Lock
Latton Lock, roughly a third of the way from Burnt Mill to Harlow lock
Above Latton lock is this interesting equipment from Ransome and Napier of Ipswich. This sluice gate was obviously installed at the same time as the improvements for the Bow Back Rivers were being undertaken in the 1930's
Another view of the sluice gate above Latton. The lock is just beyond where the narrow boat is moored. A factory belonging to the Harlow conurbation can just be seen above sluice gate
The approach to Harlow Lock from the south. Just to recap, the Harlow stretch has three locks - Burnt Mill, Latton, Harlow. Burnt Mill is the southernmost one, by Harlow Town station. Latton Lock is in the middle (of nowhere if one likes it that way!) and Harlow Lock the northernmost one, near Harlow Mill station. Harlow lock is quite deep as are several others on the Stort Navigation
The Stort continues past some delightful buildings above Harlow and offers good views of Pishobury Park. Whilst the former residence that belonged to the Beckhams can be seen, the actual Pishobury Park house is not visible. Just before the Pishobury Park visitor mooring, there's Feakes Lock. Feake's is a bit of an oddity in that its in Hertfordshire - whilst the river immediately above and below it is in Essex! Feake's Lock is similar in design to Tednambury, both have gates for the purpose of keeping farm animals in their adjacent fields, though Feakes' gates are no longer used and one is missing
This is the towpath crossing the navigation at Pishiobury Park just a short distance above Feake's Lock. Straight ahead by the small bridge is the one - boat visitor mooring for Pishiobury Park
Theres a 'one boat' moored up! Dont think it belongs to One Railways! Pishiobury Park is lovely and the walks are splendid. However its probably better to moor at Sawbridgeworth because then one gets to see the full extent of the Pishiobury walks - along with those very delightful walks through the hidden parts of Sawbridgeworth. Some of these places have quite delightful names. See the example below!
This is Sheering Mill lock. Its the second lock on the navigation with power operated bottom gates
A view of the bottom gates and side of bridge at Sheering Mill with one of those delightful new bridge name plaques introduced to the entire Lee & Stort system in 2006/07
Sheering Mill is the first of two locks within Sawbridgworth. Ahead is the quite delightful modern development, more of which can be seen in the next section
Sawbridgeworth to Spellbrook
London Canals
