Bishop’s Stortford - Harlow
This is a pleasant trip of about 12 miles. Start by parking in Sainsbury’s car park in the centre of Bishop’s Stortford, free on Sundays and bank holidays. There are nine locks to negotiate, but there are some interesting alternatives. The town is soon left behind and the first lock is reached, which is home of the local canoe club. There is not a lot of traffic on the canal and it feels very small and intimate. Some of the portages involve crossing roads as the canal goes under some small bridges.
As you approach the third lock, which is an easy portage, you can take a right and lift over the fence and take the weir on the side, this cannot be run, but is more fun. We did this in August and you can see the growth of hyacinths and the limbo dance you need to get under the bridge. We came to a dead stop in the growth, but forced a passage between the bank and the weeds and there was nice clear water after this. Before you reach the next lock (number 4) take the left hand turn into the small marina. At the end of the marina, short portage right onto what was the original river.
Be prepared for some hard work through the reeds, though if you had stayed on the canal, you would have missed the fun. It took us nearly 30 minutes to get through the reeds whereafter you come to the start of Sawbridgeworth. After the first lock and past the road bridge, there is a large old factory with a cafe inside if you need refreshments. The next lock takes you out of Sawbridgeworth but you have to cross the road here, so be careful.
You now approach Harlow. At the first lock, you can get out and have more refreshments at the large pub and catch the train back for the car, or carry on for another 3km with another lock and you can finish further down stream next to the main railway station and return for your car.
There is a big pub called the Watermill where and you can lift out straight into the car park.