Forum Topic

Following Rivers and Parks

As well as the Thames and Brent/Canal there are other rivers in this area which are easily accessible.  For the most part these rivers go through the open countryside of woodlands and parks.Following the Grand Union cansl at Hayes the river Yeading is met.  Leaving the canal here it's easy to access Cranford Park.  This has had an estate and church since Saxon times and perhaps even before to the Romans.At Cranford Park the River Crane is joined.Gatehouse at Cranford ParkSt Dunstans, Cranford was documented in Doomsday. There are still Norman and Saxon parts to the building although in the main it is 14-15th century.St Dunstans, CranfordAfter woodland copses such as Brazil Mill Wood (so named from the brazil nuts used by mills to create dyes) the Crane goes underground and one can cross Hounslow Heath to eventually rejoin the Crane in Crane Park.  The river had many mills alongside it for example to make gunpowder from charcoal etc.River CraneThe remaining mill is Shot Tower.  I believe here molten lead was dropped inside the tower to the ground and fragment to make shots.  Can anyone imagine such a beautiful factory being designed today?Shot Tower, Crane Park

Michael Fletcher ● 6756d14 Comments

Copy and Paste and explore Cranford Park..another local gem.Thanks Michael!http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=skfrr9gyywhh&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=15595317&encType=1

Jim Lawes ● 6742d

Copy and paste for a birds eye view. Maybe you can use the directional controls on the left side.http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=sk6gsrgz1qyh&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=15656323&encType=1

Jim Lawes ● 6742d

Around there at Ellerman Av.  The A314 Hanworth Rd goes SE with Ellerman Av on left.  Just after there (say 100metres) there's an entrance to park as small gate and the Shot Tower can be viewed directly.  The trail then goes by the river shown on photo and comes out in Whitton where it's best to go thru backstreets to follow Duke of Northumberland.  lenty of info on web about Gunpowder mills and Hounslow.

Michael Fletcher ● 6743d

Hi Michael,Happy New Year's Day to you and all.Crane Park, the Crane River, the shot tower, Powder Mill Road, Mill Farm, the Nature Reserve, another area to study. How interesting..I must get on my bike!So where is the Shot Tower located.? Is it best accessed off Ellerman Avenue?

Jim Lawes ● 6743d

Hi JimThe picture of the river and mill were from Crane Park near Twickenham.  Check at http://www.richenvironmentnet.org.uk/Crane-Park-Island-feature.aspx

Michael Fletcher ● 6743d

JimI'm shocked that you would know about such matters.

Neil Chippendale ● 6744d

Jim my Aunty Alma lived right near the airport for the last few years before moving to Australia with us.  I remember the place well. Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6745d

Isn't that called "dogging" or something?Happens in the north side road in Osterley park too..and in Chiswick..the area around Barnes Bridge!Stay in Jim.. don't get involved!!

Jim Lawes ● 6745d

From what I read Cranford Park is now used as a meeting place for a certain sexual activity between consenting males and females.

Neil Chippendale ● 6745d

I think that the pictures were of Cranford Park Joan, out near the Airport..and not Crane Park near Twickenham.I've only been to Cranford park once before..about 50 years ago, to run in a Middlesex cross-country Championships. I came 195th out of 200 I recall.  Too many doughnuts before the race!!I get the feeling it's a bit unsafe to hang around that way.. of course I'm wrong..but things aren't wot they were!!

Jim Lawes ● 6745d

Michael, thank you for the pictures. Good to see pics of Crane Park.  My Aunty lived near there, I will show her soon. Joan.Australia.

Joan Perry ● 6752d

"Stone Me!"

Tony Wood ● 6755d

Talking about Cranford, the ashes of the late great comic Tony Hancock are interned in the cemetery.

Neil Chippendale ● 6756d

Great pics.- but it is the wood, rather than a particular nut, that was used in the Brazil mill to produce the dye.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilwood

Tim Henderson ● 6756d

Here are the two images from the last post which did not display:-St Dunstans, CranfordShot Tower, Crane Park

Michael Fletcher ● 6756d