West London: Northala, Grand Union Canal, Horsenden Hill

The Walk: This walk starts from the Northala Fields beside the A40, where you can get excellent views from the mounds built from the demolition rubble from the old Wembley Stadium.We then walk along the Grand Union Canal (GUC) towpath to Horsenden Hill, another fine viewpoint over London.(This walk is based on walk number 8 described in the book 'Hillwalking London' by Caroline Buckland, Safe Haven Books, 2023.).

Spiral path up the Northala Mound

Route

NB The map shows my route, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.

Having climbed one or more of the Northala Mounds and taken in the views over London, head out of the Eastern exit (Car Park 1) and cross the road into Horseshoe Crescent, through Smiths Farm, and cross a footbridge to join the GUC towpath heading North then East.

Follow the towpath for 2 miles, then, after passing under the A4127, take the footbridge across the canal, walk across playing fields and climb Horsenden Hill. Descend to Horsenden Farm, then walk down to Perivale Underground Station and get the train back to Northolt, from which it is a short walk through Northolt old village back to Northala.

Why do it:

The four Northala Mounds were built from the rubble created by the demolition of the old Wembley Stadium. One has a good spiral path to the top (worth walking up just to get the GPS trace), the other 3 are more of a scramble.

A Northala Mound

From the top there are fine views out over the more immediate neighbourhood of West London - for example Wembley Stadium Arch, Harrow on the Hill and Heathrow Airport - and the towers of Central London, and, in the distance, the North Downs and Chilterns. It is noticeable that the information boards which presumably date from when the park opened in 2008 show very few of the tall buildings which dominate the skyline now, indicating how the London skyline has ben radically altered by the proliferation of tall buildings in the intervening years. Here is map of some of the landmarks (includes Horsenden Hill as well.).

The GUC here is the Paddington Arm which goes to the Paddington Basin in central London (the canal splits at Bulls Bridge near Hayes, with the other branch joining the Thames at Brentford). The canal is now a fairly tranquil backwater through industrial parks and housing developments. The towpath is picturesquely lined with moored narrow boats, some with established gardens, which are presumably legit permanent moorings.

Canal boats moored up (building behind is now a mosque)

There is a new development of apartments at Greenford Quay.

Greenford Quay development

Perhaps the most surprising find is the Ealing Beaver Project. Beavers have been released into the wetlands at Paradise Fields, around which you could make an excursion, although given they are shy and nocturnal, you are most unlikely to see one.

Looking back on the way up Horseden Hill, you get a good view Westwards over the way you have come, but the summit 'plateau' is rather disappointingly surrounded by trees which restrict the view, apart from one clearing which offers a view over Harrow on the Hill. Clearer views can be found on the descent over the golf course (Wembley Stadium and Central London) and from a grassy meadow Southwards over to the North Downs in the distance.

Wembley Arch from Horsenden Hill

Away from the busy area round the station, Northolt has an old village centre, and an attractive church.

Northolt Church

Distance

6 miles from Northala to Perivale Station, including 1.5 miles wandering around Northala, one mile of which was going up then down the spiral path! Plus 1 mile from Northolt Station back to Northala.

Logistics

I started this walk by parking at Northala (charge), walking to Horsenden Hill, getting the Central Line from Perivale station to Northolt Station, then walking back to Northala. (My satnav took me to Northala Car Park 2 off the A40, but Car Park 1 on the Eastern side may be more convenient.)

Northala Car Park 2

You could also park for free at Horsenden Farm (free, check closure times), and also at Perivale Station (charge).

By train, Northolt and Perivale Stations are both on the Central Line.

Perivale Underground Station (Central Line)

Challenges:

Sadly, I saw quite a lot of fly-tipped litter along the GUC towpath.

Finding your way up Horsenden Hill is quite tricky, but if you keep going up, you will get to the summit. Similarly, coming down to Horsenden Farm.

Trees obscure the view from the top of Horsenden Hill: the best views will be had by descending on a rather circuitous route over the Golf Course, see map. There is a trig point on the summit: presumably when this was put up, there were clear views to allow for the triangulation process. It's an unfashionable view, but I do think more should be done to preserve views by clearing back scrub.

Limited views from Horsenden summit plateau

A clear day and binoculars will be necessary to see the more distant landmarks (for example, Windsor Castle is said to be visible from the Northala Mounds).

Refreshments:

Cafe in Northala Park.

There seemed to be several cafes etc around the new Greenford Quay development.

Coffee Shop, Greenford Quay

There is a coffee stall at Horsenden Farm (check opening times on web)

Perivale brewery coffee stall, Horsenden Farm

There is not much around Perivale Station, but there are several places around Northolt Station.

Nearby Walks

For an overview map of all my London walks see this page.

Croydon to New Addington in South London, see this blog.

Stanmore to Hatch End, see this blog.

For cycle rides around the same area, see my companion cycling blog, including Northala and Horsenden Hill

More Photos

November, overcast morning, brighter in the afternoon (rather murky for distant views)

Ascending the spiral

Mounds, looking West

Panorama info (South East)

Towards Dorking Gap on the North Downs (isolated tall tower at Hounslow?)

Looking East (tall towers left of centre at North Acton?)

Westwards (Green roof = Aladdin Tower; towers on the right - North Acton; London skyscrapers in the murk)

Panorama board (North east)

Harrow on the Hill (church spire clad for repairs, presumably); Northolt Church in the foreground

Panorama board, North West

Zoom onto Aladdin tower, and central London skyscrapers

Kew Eye Tower on right (with distinctive 'topknot'), and Tower Blocks at Brentford

Sunbeams

Allenby Road Water Tower (on stilts)

Path to canal

Footbridge over GUC

Join the GUC

Under the A40

High Line moorings

Nearing Greenford Quay

At Greenford Quay

Greenford Quay

Horsenden Hill from the Canal

Beaver proof fencing around Paradise Fields

Footbridge over canal towards Horsenden Hill

View back from Horsenden Hill

Limited view to Harrow on the Hill

Limited view of Wembley Arch

Towards Central London I believe the lower tower blocks on the left are the new Grand Union development near Stonebrook Park station, and unfortunately they obscure the view to the City. I believe the taller towers to the right are the 'Alperton Waterside' development)