Colne Valley Regional Park Reviews Summary

Nature and Scenery

Pros:

• "This park is a true haven for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation."
• "Peaceful and beautiful, also has some graffiti. Probably the best dog walk in the area."
• "Lovely large green space in Hillingdon with a lot of water bodies, canal, rivers, aquadrome and lakes."
• "Area of natural outstanding beauty, Very open spaces just on the edge of west London."
• "Such a beautiful and tranquil place to go. Nature different walks. Something for everyone including children older people. Professional walkers."
• "Really nice lakes, woods and walks that runs by the side of the canal."
• "A large number of birds can be seen along the river including herons and kingfishers which was nice to see."

Cons:

• "The M25 and Heathrow make it polluted and noisy, plus there is rubbish everywhere."
• "Worst 'regional park' I've ever been to. Lack of signs, lots of metal fences and barbed wire with pylons running through."
• "However, there are quite a few old boats in the canal, and a significant portion of the area is occupied by a private golf course."
• "Could hear quite a bit of traffic so certainly not tranquil."
• "A lot of litter really."
• "The website says 'over 60 lakes'. However many of these are private fishing lakes, fenced off and available only to paying guests."
• "Beware though, Maple cross sewage works is above this area and pumps into the River Colne just upstream."

Park Facilities and Amenities

Pros:

• "A lovely park with a cafe and visitors centre."
• "There are facilities, a children's play area and a Cafe serving mostly snacks."
• "Easy parking, a river to wade in, cafe and information center, and the recently refurbed playground is great."
• "The park is clean and well kept with a lovely cafe that also has picnic tables and places to sit."
• "The visitor centre is open at 10.30am providing toilets, and serving hot and cold food & beverages to take out."
• "Cafe and toilets for customers too."
• "Small cafe & children's playground as well as a visitors centre."

Cons:

• "However, they increased the parking charge which is quite expensive."
• "Nb.hmm needs more lighting at the Festival after dark And the water ran out for some!!"
• "Some parts of the park have been closed for maintenance."
• "Service was non existent and staff were rude and unhelpful."
• "No toilets at only 3pm is inexcusable."
• "Toilets were filthy especially the baby change area which is in the disabled toilet."
• "Found the visitor centre was closed. Could not even use the toilet as it was locked."

Accessibility and Parking

Pros:

• "We found free shady parking at the side of the road."
• "Dog and child friendly, plus wheelchair accessible pathways."
• "Free parking (though it looked like meters have been installed but not yet operational)."
• "Parking had plenty of spaces."
• "There are two car parks, which have ample space but might be busy on a sunny weekend."
• "I would recommend purchasing the annual car park pass which covers all three parks for only £50!"
• "We felt safe whole time."

Cons:

• "But, part of it has been taken by HS2, the government project that is wrecking the countryside."
• "Parking spaces fill up fast. Although I did go on a Sunday. I paid for parking via the RingGo app."
• "Height restrictions of 2m on the car parks is crazy."
• "You have to input your reg on the machine and they have been ticketing people parking on the empty verges when the carpark is full."
• "Parking maybe a little bit limited."
• "£3.70 is a bit pricey for a three hour stay."
• "The parking is a total total rip-off if you want to stay all day expect to pay around £8 I mean is just a park definitely not coming back."

Recreational Activities

Pros:

• "Best choice for kids or dog friendly trails."
• "Very widespread and an amazing place to bring the kids to paddle all day and play on the large fields."
• "Great walk from rickmansworth to Uxbridge and back."
• "Went for Weyfest festival.....one of best Intimate music festivals have ever been too!"
• "What a great place! We didn’t have a booking to see Santa but the staff were really accommodating and managed to fit us in!"
• "We absolutely love walking at Harmondsworth Moor. Mixture of environments from walking round the lake to the wildly natural farm fields, our dog loves it here too. Lots of free parking."
• "Lovely walks by canal side or through woods."

Cons:

• "The Nature Trails had no clear markings or visible signpost."
• "Very constrained and fenced experience as country parks go. No long country strolls without coming across a barrier, a golf course, a cafe it’s impossible to walk round except one way."
• "Limited access continues due to HS2 related construction work."
• "Fell over and broke my elbow. About to have surgery. Over 65s beware. You are not as bouncy as you used to be."
• "Riverside cafe good and well priced, but not enough signage to show the trails nor clear signage on the trails."
• "Wanted a lovely woodland and heathland walk with my dog, it does have this potential but has sadly been commercialised the parking cost £3.70 !!!"
• "OK, not brilliant. Park/picnic area not the best. Scenic route around the lake not very long and definitely not very scenic."