The Lee Valley stretches from Ware in Hertfordshire through Essex to the River Thames at the East India Dock basin. I am following the river upstream, enjoying the varied areas it passes through.
The Three Mills. This is the House Mill, believed to be the largest tidal mill still in existence. It was built in 1776 and is a Grade 1 listed building. The surrounding area includes the Grade II listed Clock Mill, the Custom House and the cobbled road.
In 1588 the three Mills area had two water mills, one a corn mill and the other was a gunpowder mill. It changed ownership many times and then in 1727 it changed again and became a distilling business to produce gin although the other mill still continued to produce flour which ensured its longevity.
Following the river beyond the Mills you walk across the transformed three Mills Green with its memorial to four men who lost their lives in 1901 to 'foul gas'
They were making a routine inspection of a well and one by one were overcome by the gas.
Looks like a sad end for this scooter.
The river goes through the residential area of Bow on to Stratford. Much has changed here with the building of the Olympic Stadium and the improvements to the road network. Many of the factories alongside the river have been converted to residential usage.
.
I had to travel quite a distance before I could rejoin the path but I am now within the new Olympic park.
The bridges over the river, as it skirts the Olympic Stadium, have great reflective surfaces.
Once beyond the boundaries of the Olympic Park it's like being out in the country again.
But then when you leave the edge of the river you emerge onto the Hackney Marshes. This area made it into the Guinness book of records as having the greatest number (881) of full sized football pitches in one place.
The Three Mills. This is the House Mill, believed to be the largest tidal mill still in existence. It was built in 1776 and is a Grade 1 listed building. The surrounding area includes the Grade II listed Clock Mill, the Custom House and the cobbled road.
Now the Clock Mill, Customs House and most of 3 Mills island is home to the 3 Mills Studios, London's largest film and TV studio with 14 stages and 10 rehearsal rooms. It was here that I had all my rehearsals for the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games.
Looking back at 3 Mills
.
This is as far as you can go along the towpath as more work is now being carried out for the cross rail, the newest rail line to aid travel across London.
The bridges over the river, as it skirts the Olympic Stadium, have great reflective surfaces.
Yeah! Another walking tour. What's the total distance you will walk with this one?
ReplyDeleteThat scooter in the water looks like some modern art.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely delightful photos (and places of course!)
ReplyDeleteThat long riverside building reminds me of working the night shift in a woolen mill back in college days. That building was old then, but much less then half the age of your classics.
ReplyDeleteI find mills interesting, but what really fascinates me about them is their association to many stories read to me when I was little. The scooter still looks neat despite lying in the mud.
ReplyDeleteI love to follow you on your tours with your photo's.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for showing these spots and waterways we never see as a tourist. You know so much about the rivers and locks and I find it very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team
I love how the mills and factories have been recycled for other uses. Great walk.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great walk. I'd love to visit the Three Mills. They look amazing. I'll have to put them on my list of things to go and see. Thanks for a very interesting post with great photos. All the best, Bonny
ReplyDeleteLove the beautiful sculpture dedicated to the inspectors (so sad though). Thank you for the tour of the Mills :)
ReplyDeleteA very interesting stroll, full of beautiful architecture, monuments and discoveries !
ReplyDeleteThe story of the men killed by gas is very very sad and moving...
How things change. In 1588 the three Mills area had two water mills, one a corn mill and the other was a gunpowder mill. In 1727 it became a distilling business to produce gin although the other mill still continued to produce flour. Now the Clock Mill, Customs House and most of 3 Mills island have become tv and film studios.
ReplyDeleteI resent change... but without change, these complexes would never have modified in time for the modern world. I suppose we can be grateful that the ability to modernise is what saved the architecture.
I enjoyed the walk along the river. I had planned to look up all the places you showed us, and place them on a map, but I still haven't done it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. No wonder the gin tastes like fire-water!!
Wil, ABCW Team
The mill is a wonderful old building.
ReplyDeletelike the fountains of the Olympic part.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos and so many beautiful water reflection... I enjoyed the tour along the river with you... What a great walk and so lovely history of mills...Thanks for your pleasing post
ReplyDeleteFascinating post!
ReplyDeleteInspiring post! Keep walking and posting:)
ReplyDeleteThe vintage mills looked to be in remarkable condition! The one with the cone shopped rook is very whimsical looking. The Olympic Park looks very large and impressive!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed all the nice photos in this post, especially the reflections and the views of River Thames.
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
Peace :)
Love these mills that remind me of Kent! Such a lovely series of photos!
ReplyDelete