Cassiobury, Whippendell Woods and Croxley Green Circular Walk
Grand Union Canal near Croxley Green
Start & Finish: Cassiobury Park Car Park, Gade Avenue, Watford, WD18 7LG.
Alternative Start & Finish: at either Croxley or Watford Underground Stations
Distance: 10.1 km (6.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 84m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Grand Union Canal Towpath, Whippendell Circular Walks
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe In The Park at Cassiobury
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Cassiobury Park, Whippendell Wood, Croxley Green, Croxley Station, Watford Station, Cassiobury Estate.
This trip was part of our series of walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. On this one we explored the canal and green spaces around the Metropolitan Line spur to Watford. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.
From the Cassiobury Park Car Park head north towards the cafe and around it to reach the main path running through the park. Take a left to follow the path out of the park and across the Grand Union Canal. On the western side of the canal follow the towpath in a northerly direction for 200m then take the path on the left to cross through the golf course into Whippedell Woods.
The next 4 km takes a circular route through Whippendell Woods, emerging onto Rousebarn Lane. There’s several routes through the woods so here’s where a GPX file or map is important. After emerging into Rousebarn Lane find the junction with Lodge End and follow that in a southerly direction to Baldwins Lane. Cross over and follow Winton Drive to the A412 Watford Road. You’ve now reached Croxley Station.
After the station follow the A412 Watford Road in an easterly direction then take a right onto Frankland Road and first left onto Mill Lane. This will take you back to the towpath on the western side of the Grand Union Canal. Take a left to follow the towpath in a north-easterly direction until you cross under the Watford Road / Rickmansworth Road flyover. On the northern side of the flyover take the steps to climb up to the bridge and cross over to the eastern side of the canal.
Follow the eastern edge of the Rickmansworth road, then take a left to follow Gade Avenue then a right onto Swiss Avenue and another right onto Cassiobury Park Avenue. You’ll pass Watford Station, the second underground station on the route. Shortly after the station take a left into Shepherds Road which takes you back into the park and the car park where you started.
