Making the most of the London river most people haven’t heard of
We didn’t take this picture. It’s not even the River Lee. We were having such a blissful day we forgot to take any photos. Soz.
Messing about in boats just minutes from a major station
Here’s a great car-free day out! Thomas first discovered this place as a teenager and, just before the last lockdown, we brought our two young daughters along for their proper day out on the water.
Most of us have heard of the River Thames but London’s second river is a lot less well known. Which is a shame.
Here you can hire all range of boat sizes, from tiny pedalos through to canal boats with kitchen and loo. We did the latter, and hired Mr Owl.
Then we spent a magical day gliding between water reeds, navigating locks (which is easier than you think it’s going to be) and, yes, crashing several times full on into the bank.
A full day gives you time to go either north to Rye House (twisty turny route, three pubs, three locks, variety of rural and urban) or south to the White Water centre (straight as a dye, all parkland, also three locks). We went north.
Every so often, we’d get out our mooring pins, tie the boat up and cook pancakes or scones on our little cooker.
The Lee Valley Boat Centre is a five-minute walk from Broxbourne station, which is in the Oyster or Contactless area, so you can just touch in at your local station. Plan your route there via Citymapper.
PS - fun fact: the River Lee is actually shown on maps “River Lea or Lee”, as no-one can agree how it’s spelt.
