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Have You Seen the Terrapins?
The 450 acre park was opened in
1993 following a multi-million pound project to restore a wasteland of
gravel pits and refuse tips which began in 1989. It took contractors 18 months
to move four million cubic metres of rubbish, clay and gravel - the largest
single civil engineering project involving landfill transfer in Europe.
Approximately 100 acres are
devoted to Business Park, however the planners included an 18 hole golf course
with a network of tree lined gravel paths and bridleways between the fairways
giving the trail runner unlimited opportunity to vary routes. After a barren
spell of several years the park is attracting a healthy number of runners who
appreciate the opportunity to get in a few miles away from traffic. Recently it
became the venue of the Puma TVH Road
Relays, which take in both the Business Park and public area. It is also the
venue for our own club Summer time trials
which take place on the first Wednesday of the month at 8pm between April - August.
Stockley Park boasts more than 140,000 trees and shrubs, wild flower meadows,
several lakes and a large reed bed accessible by wooden walkway. The dominant
features of the of the location are the twin man made hills in the centre. It is
bisected by the A408 which can be crossed by a distinctive suspension bridge
built to carry golfers from one half of the course to the other. This is visible
from most areas of the park and serves as an unmistakable landmark if you lose
your way.
Once familiar with the layout of
the paths testing routes from 3 to 10 miles are readily achievable. By following
the figure of eight shaped route shown above and described below, it is possible
to cover up to 5 miles without repetition. Start at the car park 1, and skirt
around the outside of the football pitches, using the gravel path and keeping
the perimeter fence on your right. After a mile or so you will pass the first
lake on your left. This acts as a magnet for Canada geese, so watch your step -
it can be very slippery. Climb the incline to the suspension bridge 2 and cross
to the other half of the park.
At the end of the bridge you are presented with three paths, take the sandy
bridleway on the right which curves down hill to the Golf Clubhouse 3. Run up
the hill through the car park and on passing the clubhouse turn sharp right down
a tree lined path trail adjacent the second lake of the route. This shaded
pathway is frequented by black swans, coots and the odd Heron, and in the Spring
has a stunning display of daffodils.
Although apparently secluded, the path carves its way through the centre of one
of Europe's most prestigious business parks. Surprisingly the architecture which
can occasionally be glimpsed through the trees is sympathetic to the environment
and pleasurable to the eye. After crossing an access road the path opens up onto
the third lake which is full of some very large and very active Carp - rumour
has it the ducks don't visit this lake for fear of being pulled under. After but
a brief pause to admire the fish carry straight on and cross the small wooden
bridge 4 at the bottom of the lake before turning sharp left into the reed bed.
The raised wooden walkway snakes through the bed in a precarious fashion and can
be treacherous if wet, but the experience of running through the rushes is worth
the risk. Another left turn at the end of the reeds takes you past the final
lake of the route which features a large ornamental water fall.
The small lake fed by the waterfall is claimed to contain Terrapins. Several
H&HRR club members have been known to stop running at this point and scan
the waters edge in search of the illusive reptiles. Personally I have never seen
a shelled creature bigger than a snail in the park and am inclined to think this
is just a rouse for a quick breather by some of my less than committed teammates
but perhaps they deserve the benefit of the doubt.
The route follows the eastern perimeter of the park for a good two miles and
offers the choice of gravel or grass tracks interspersed with the soft sand of
the bridle way. Excavation work on a gas main has been poorly restored (shame on
you Transco) leaving the footpath badly cut-up so choose the bridleway where
possible. A sharp left 5 reveals the first of the two hills 6. Although the
incline starts moderately it becomes increasingly severe and by the time the
observation point at the summit is reached, most runners will be grateful that
the view demands several minutes quite contemplation. On a clear day the horizon
stretches 40 miles or so Canary Warf in the east to Windsor castle in the west,
and is the perfect excuse for a break.
The whole park can also be viewed from this vantage point allowing those seeking
more miles to devise their own route, otherwise follow the gravel path back to
the clubhouse and head towards the bridge again. The second hill 7 immediately
follows the bridge, this time you have the choice of going over or around it. A
popular spot for kite flying, the gentler grass slope to the rear of the hill is
an excellent location for hill reps on a Summer's evening. Its less than 300
yards from the summit to the car park and down hill all the way.
Alternative access to the park is possible from the towpath of the Grand Union
Canal, which forms the southern boundary, this gives the potential for much
longer trails without ever seeing a car. Of course there is an easier method to
find your way around the park and that's to join our
club,
we run there throughout the year and know just about every twist and turn even
if some of us have yet to see the flaming Terrapins.
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