A gravel towpath follows the curve of a canal with multiple boats moored along the side.

Lee Navigation

Leading from the bustle of London to peaceful Hertfordshire, the Lee Navigation is a 28-mile long canalised river and sees remarkably diverse scenery, easily enjoyed by foot or boat.

Located in the South East of England, the Lee Navigation largely consists of the River Lea - a natural river that has been turned into a canal through the deepening and widening of its structure, and controlling its water flow.

The main canal runs from Hertford to Bow, where it meets the River Thames. The Stort Navigation is the second branch, which runs from Bishop's Stortford and meets the Lee near Hoddesdon.

The leafy Lee Valley Park follows much of the river, which boasts open green spaces, nature reserves, Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park, and facilities for a variety of land and water sports.

Meanwhile, with the 2012 London Olympics leaving a lasting legacy, the Three Mills and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford are not to be missed.

The spelling 'Lea' is used when referring to the natural river, whilst 'Lee' covers the canalised navigation and man-made features (like Lee Valley Park).

Boating the Lee Navigation

All you need to know about boating on the Lee Navigation

Offering unbroken walking and cycling opportunities along its entire stretch, the Lea Valley Walk follows a route along the Lee Navigation towpath from Waltham Abbey to the Thames at Limehouse Basin.

You can also enjoy time afloat thanks to the variety of water sports available on or nearby the Navigation.

Cycling

This 12.9 mile ride heads north through the Lower Lea Valley, escaping the hubbub of the city and taking in sights including the Olympic Park

Rowing

The stretch between Old Ford Lock and Tottenham Lock is the only part of our London waterways still used regularly by rowers

Fishing

Find out all you need to know about fishing on the Lee

Two people with oars standing by the canal

Paddling

Discover paddling routes and enjoy time on the water

The Lee Navigation is in a prime location for visiting other waterways nearby, as well as historic towns.

The history of the Lee Navigation
The people of the Lee Valley have always called on their local river for many needs: transport, water supply, fishing, flood control, power for mills, and today, pleasure boating.
There is evidence of its use for transport as early as the Bronze Age. The improvements for navigation are among the oldest in the country. In the 17th century, Isaac Walton wrote The Compleat Angler based on his experiences of fishing the river.
The river was improved between Hertford and the River Thames under an Act of 1767. The river was increasingly heavily used as a water supply, but the works encouraged industry - such as small arms manufacture, gunpowder mills and furniture-making. In recent times, the area has become a focus for technological progress, such as computing and TV broadcasting - the first few series of Big Brother were filmed next to the navigation!
The River Stort joins the Lee a few miles below Hertford. Its narrower, more meandering course is of a totally different character. Together, the two rivers create over 40 miles of navigable waterways through the valley that since 1967 has been managed by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

Where does the water come from?
Dobb's Weir Lock
Unlike canals, which can have multiple water sources and may cross between different river valleys, a river navigation follows the course of a river in its valley. The depth and flow of the water is modified by dredging, the use of weirs (submerged dams) across the river and artificial 'cuts' with locks which bypass the weirs, allowing navigation.
The water here comes from the River Lea, and tributaries including the River Stort, with a large catchment area. The navigable route alternates between artificial cuts and the natural river course.
The section of the River Lee Navigation downstream of the junction with the River Stort Navigation is a lacework of natural and artificial river courses. Dobb's Weir Lock lies on a man-made cut which bypasses Dobb's Weir on the river.
Enfield Locks
This section of the River Lee Navigation is also a cobination of natural and river courses. Enfield Lock lies on a man made cut with Small River Lea and Turkey Brook to the west, and the River Lea and Cattlegate Flood Relief Channel to the east.
Stonebridge Lock
As with Dobbs Weir Lock, the water here comes from the River Lea and tributaries including the River Stort.
A mix of natural and artificial river courses and reservoirs, Stonebridge Lock lies on a man-made out with Pymme's Brook running to the west and the River Lee Diversion, Lockwood Reservoir and the River Lee Flood Relief Channel to the East.