A Lost River Revealed in North London (4K)
Welcome to New London is available here: thelostbyway.com/welcome-to-n...
This week's walk goes in search of a mysterious lost river in the London Borough of Haringey. The Stonebridge Brook rises in Crouch End and flows through Hornsey, across Green Lanes and parallel to St Ann's Road, around Chestnuts Park, Culvert Road, Tottenham and makes its confluence with the River Lea at Markfield Park.
It can be seen on this 1860s map maps.nls.uk/view/102345952
'Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland'
maps.nls.uk/index.html
There are comments on the Stonebridge Brook here harringayonline.com/forum/top...
And also on Edith's Streets edithsstreets.blogspot.com/201...
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Best Kept Secrets - Rue Rosa
This Mellow Daydream - Rand Aldo
from Epidemic Sound
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Hi John. If you don't know of it already, "Haringey's Hidden Streams Revealed" is a book produced by the Hornsey Historical Society. Well worth getting hold of. The Stonebridge Brook is featured in detail, along with others.
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
many thanks for the info - just ordered and look forward to walking some of these
As I have commented before, the fun of these river walks is seeing areas and streets that I would not usually visit.
Your videos are fascinating, its just sad how the councils and politicians have destroyed much of the beauty that once existed, rivers ponds being some of them, thanks for your work and sharing.
Another lost river. Lovely to hear it rushing underground. London seems so watery...
Lovely, reminded me of the time I lived at Turnpike Lane.
I lived on Crouch Hill (the Islington side) at the intersection of Mount View Road, where you started this video; between 1949 and 1958. I remember someone, a maintenance guy of some description, lifting (excuse the term) a manhole cover and there was a stream flowing in a conduit down the hill towards Finsbury Park. We were told it was the River Crouch.
@dianastevenson131
6 ай бұрын
I didn't know there was a river Crouch. Makes sense of the name "Crouch End."
@johnmurray8428
6 ай бұрын
@@dianastevenson131 well this is a memory from childhood, so it’s lifetime ago. There were a bunch of children looking in this hole where the guys we’re working with this stream flowing (obviously downhill; going south.) One of the guys working said “that is the river Crouch.” Putting a date on it? 1954-56. As you day makes sense.
John you been like a father to me the last few years I have learnt so very much from watching your channel and I find it amazing how much you know about everything here in the UK... love it keep it up... ur a legendary fellow. Gary
I live in Stonebridge road in the 80s I was told about this river by a elderly woman who saw it as a young girl before it was covered over this has often fantastic me thanks for your video
Hi John, near the start in Haringey Park by the end of Ivy Gardens opposite Hornsey library, there's one of those classic round river access covers with the circular vents in the road, where, if you shine a torch down it you can see a little cascade coming from Ivy Gardens, and dropping down into another culvert which may run right along Haringey Park. Discovering this prompted me to look up Ivy Gardens and sure enough, there was the same kind of access cover at the top right by a cut through to Abbot's Terrace, which itself I believe to be part of an old drover's route. Also, @13:29 where you spot that small gap in the houses at the bottom of Weston Park and Uplands Road, if you look carefully, the pair of semi-detached Victorian looking houses to the right of the gap look like new builds in keeping with the conservation area, which could lend credence to the idea of a river's course if a property developer had decided to press ahead with the build anyway in more recent times. Btw, maybe for another walk around these parts, the loudest and most dramatic sounding torrent under such a cover is to be found at the bottom of Claremont Road N6, a few yards from its junction with Stanhope Road near Parkland Walk. A substantial flow must be dropping quite some distance to create such subterranean thunder. This whole ridge which is traversed by Ferme Park, Crouch Hill and Crouch End hill, actually runs almost continuous from The Ladder at Harringay Green Lanes right to St Joseph's (Holy Joe's) RC Church on Highgate Hill, and seems to provide a significant watershed along its length. Thanks for yet another fantastic video.
@JazzFunkNobby1964
6 ай бұрын
I know the geography is a bit weird in that area but how do you get to St. Joseph's church from the Haringey Ladder along that ridge without going over suicide bridge? I think you might have to take the 'Low Road'?
@delcatto60
4 ай бұрын
In the sixties my friend used to live in the house to the left of the gap as one faces it. We would play there as kids and naughtily on the industrial estate behind it. I grew up in this area from ‘61 - 85 and it is wonderful to see it again. Shame Stationers school upper school was demolished but lovely to see the park. Lots of memories flooding back, excuse the pun!
@motorheadmalc
4 ай бұрын
@@JazzFunkNobby1964 , you're right. The Archway bridge is the direct way to Holy Joe's along Hornsey Lane. There are ways either side where you do have to descend to the A1 Archway Road and climb back up. The gap where the bridge is, did at first have a rather over ambitious tunnel which actually split like a Y shape with one portal ending in two the other end. Little wonder that it collapsed, giving rise to the first narrow bridge on two levels. I did find reference to this tunnel many years ago, but I can't find it now.
Hi John, I'm a volunteer at The Meadow Orchard Project in Crouch End. We had a water diviner dowse for water and detected a flow approx 12 feet down and so many gallons per hour. I don't know much else about it, apart from a few poor quality maps online showing the shepherds cot area, now crouch end playing fields. I'd love to explore and see what lies beneath! Alan
Yes you do get very fired up for these lost river hunts. Good one and thanks.
I love your river walks. I remember playing in the Ravensborne river when I was a kid back in the late 50's early 60's. Our flat was on the Bromley Road and backed on to the concrete Ravensborne calvert , it was just a slide down the concrete into the water; very happy days.
Thanks John, I go out walking the streets of London every day doing between 8 and 10 miles it helps with my arthritis but that’s by the by I like your videos because they give me a starting point when I can’t think of one, but I start my walks between 5 and 6 am.it’s always a plus when I find a random that I’ve seen on one of your videos. Cheers Colin
Made good inroads into New London during delayed flight from Glasgow to Gatwick yesterday following visit to family with little one - enjoying thoroughly-best wishes Dawn 😊
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Thanks so much Dawn
I know that the New River used to run right through my house before it was straightened - so many rivers culverted, hidden or lost.. The water companies came and checked houses that had downstairs toilets as some of them were done on the quick, the outlet fed into the Moselle in the cemetery at White Hart Lane - we were lucky ours was done properly!!
Great video John. I worked in the Hornsey area for some years and your walk brought back good memories. I did have to laugh though, at the sign over the door of that MOT Station. I wonder what 'Accidental Repairs' are? "Sorry Sir/Madam, we didn't mean to fix your car, it just happened" 🤣
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Brilliant
Catching up on some episodes I hadn't seen. This is a particularly joyful one - your enthusiasm is contagious. I will always recommend to anyone the, accidentally mindful, practice of simply "noticing things".
Loved it, John. Glad you found the very loud culvert under the manhole cover up by Hornsey Library. That was an amazing story about the underground lake. Whoever built the building on top must not have got the memo about avoiding building on top of water!
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Thanks so much Joe - you gave me something tangible to hang the walk on
@joebenge3920
7 ай бұрын
@@JohnRogersWalksI love those moments when you can see or hear a hidden river running beneath your feet. It's quite exhilarating, especially when it's as loud as that one.
Got to love a lost river walk .
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Nothing better Ian
Hi John I very much enjoyed your video but the route as far as I'm aware starts up towards Highgate, it runs under Archway road down wenbury road across Milton park where it goes under the parkland walk, onto claremont road from there it cuts across the st aloysius sports grounds, down crouch hall road, under the old manor house, then cutting across crouch end Broadway and down Weston park, meeting up when you first come across the river.
Thank you so much for your videos. I was born in London North Wood Road N6 we lived beside a railway line its now a walking path. I went to school on Crouchhill a private school just a big house. You bring me on such memorable journeys. I now live in Ireland. Thank you Annette
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching Annette
"Everyone loves a lost river." Yes, we do. I just found your videos. My wife and I are enjoying them at lunch. Very pleasant. Wish we could see London again.
Your attention to detail and perseverance is remarkable. Really enjoyed this. Thank you
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Many thanks
I cant get that image out of my mind, the lake in the basement with boats. Boats in use? Ancient boats? Trapped boats?
Thank you for another great river walk, John. I am currently buzzing with your contagious enthusiasm. Here's to the next one!
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Cheers- I’m excited about the next one
brilliant, Crouch End where i spent my childhood and returned to 10 yrs ago, love seeing around there. Book ordered looking forward to reading it. Thanks fot taking me on your walks.
This one is so educational! At the same time, it raises images of more and more unexpected but catastrophic flooding with these horrible storms we get now all over the planet.
I liked this episode. I love the street names like Seven Sisters Road, which upon reading it's history the name refers to seven trees that stood aligned at Wards Corner (Source: Wikipedia). Never would've known that if I hadn't seen it on this episode. Thank you.
@JazzFunkNobby1964
6 ай бұрын
My Mum came from Ireland and brought us kids up in the Seven Sisters area. She had six sisters.
Nice to see you wandering/wondering about my manor, John! I will contact you when my book on Crouch End finally comes out, and send you a copy, if you,re interested.
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
That’d be amazing Trevor. I’ll happily buy a copy
I don't think I have any ancestors who lived in London in any recent times, but you have such a good vibe your videos. Glad I followed.
I loved this video justlike your others. A hidden river and great Turkish restaurants - i love haringey
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Thanks Brendan - I really need to go back to Devran
Wonderful video John. The first place I ever lived in london was in staff accommodation in st Ann’s Hospital when I was a student physio so I am familiar with the streets around there. Though as a naive 18 year old in 1977 had no idea about hidden rivers! Nice to see Salisbury Hotel is still there. Used to love the Cypriot food shops and restaurants down Green Lanes
The clouds hovering over crowland rd are amazing
Good video. I used to go over Markfield a bit, and Crouch End walk that old railway path. When mentioned Green Lanes i thought of the other old brook not too far, Salmons Brook, it cuts short bit before Green Lanes, but i used to spend a lot of my youth in that, playing round-the-world on old rope swings in the section between Bury Lodge and Edmonton County school. Like seeing all these familiar spots on your walk videos 👍🏻
Another brilliant video JR ❤ I grew up in north London, my Mum and Dad still live off St Ann’s rd and that interesting building you pointed out in Conway Rd used to be a bath house! My dad told me he used to have to go there for one a Sunday before they had their own 😅 Also a shame you missed the Seven Sisters snail mural by Stonebridge estate, bit of a local landmark, I think you’d have liked that.
I’ve often noticed that gap in between the houses at the bottom of Uplands Road and was reminded of your river walks.
I loved this John - you had all the enthusiasm of Speke and Burton's search for the source of the Nile . There is another channel I watch on KZread called the ' Fact Feast ' ( about the misery of London's poor ) but this week they released one about the mythology of the sewers of London . The old sewers made use of the old rivers and brooks . The Fleet got a mention . Many accounts of the people who worked in these subterranean places 😨✌️
It was so fun watching your escapades through London's burrows and beyond. I'd love to visit London but for now, you've inspired me to explore the different rivers and streams of our town. We just had a major flood, and the Governor (who happens to be from Barre, Vermont) has plans to redo parts of our city. I have a feeling there are many secret or hidden undergrown waterways lerking just beneath us. Can't wait to read your book!
A tremendous video, like watching a great detective at work looking for clues to the whereabouts of this mysterious tributary of the Lea-just brilliant.
Thanks John. Cracking video!
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Cheers
Thanks john for the efforts you make one my fav channels
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Much appreciated thank you
Thanks for another cracking trip around London and very interesting and informative 😊
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Thanks David
Always nice to see a 'Lost Rivers' edition John. Looking out for 'bourne' in street names, but of course a cautionary note when the 'bourne' is a suffix, as Eastbourne, etc.. Also sub stations in gaps in residential building, natural valleys, and so on, I just love all this stuff. In one sense the obscuring of these watercourses does us a favour, more to discover! Hoping the pint was a satisfactory reward, and I look forward to reading your new book, and to the next walk, wherever.. be! Nice one John. ⭐👍
A second comment that I'd like to make is to let you know that I'm really enjoying your books. I'm working through the first volume at the moment and wil dive straight into Welcome to New London later in the week.
The route of the Stonebridge Brook also features in the Edith Visits web site in the entry about the Moselle river in North London
BELLISSIMO! AS ALWAYS! thanks man! FROM ITALY.. you help us to learn English language and explore London!!
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Fantastic Massimo! I love Italy
@massimoborghi1987
6 ай бұрын
@@JohnRogersWalks Remember Joho: GO ON! we need people like you... i hope you got what i mean..........
Congrats on your new book. No rivers remain hidden. Quest completed.
I love these lost river walks John.Loving the book - relishing every chapter. I lived off Crouch Hill in the early 80s so this is full of memories for me.
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Brilliant great to hear Mark - thanks
Really enjoyed your talk with Tim Burrows recently at Wanstead library. I’ve finished both your new book and his “invention of Essex”, both absolutely brilliant. Wonderful video - can’t wait for the new river in the future 😀
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Wonderful thank you. That was a great night
A fascinating video. My mother's family lived close to the junction of St Ann's and Seven Sisters Roads so this was a real trip down memory lane.Thanks John.
fantastic as always John
Another wonderful walk. Many places were very familiar to me, but I had no idea that a brook was buried beneath.
Hi John,not been on here for a while and what a treat a lost river walk 👍 looking forward to catching up on your videos especially the coracle
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
brilliant - welcome back Darren
Just the job after a somewhat blue Monday. Inspiring and lifting as always. Thank you John. Just deciding which of your walks to try when I visited London at the end of November to see Marillion. 😮
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
My pleasure Dave
Another walk that is on my list. I will be following in your footsteps. Sometime next year. Wonderful as Always John!
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
It’s a cracker Heidi and I recommend a stop at the Salisbury
I run/walk over the intersection of Uplands Road and Weston Park multiple times a week. Having watched your videos for a while, I'd always wondered if there was a river under there given the noise which is always coming from under those man hole covers. It was very exciting when you started heading in that direction at the start of this video, then confirmed my suspicions!
Another great walk. Is your new book going to be available on Audible? I really enjoyed listening to your first audiobook and Iain Sinclair's two when out walking myself. Also spotted an awesome bollard at 18:51 in Haringey Passage! Hope it's listed.
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Thanks Barry. I’ll possibly do the audiobook next year
I wonder what London would look like if the rivers hadn’t been culverted? Even the Fleet! The flow must rise and fall substantially with the rain, maybe it interferes with development. Cheers John, thanks for the video!
Great stuff sir! Love your river quests...
Another great walk, full of observational detail and personal anecdote; all in search of an elusive river. Wouldn't it be nice to see it flowing through those parks instead of it being culverted. I have your new book and am looking forward to reading it. Thank you.
Wonderful walk - I hope you enjoyed your pint afterwards!
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Thanks Timothy, it went down very well
Great walk, loved your energy and enthusiasm in this episode. Looking forwrd to the next one...
Hello John, there used to be a waterworks next to Markfield Park, now the skatepark, so I imagine what you found would have been the eventual outflow. Also I heard a crow at the end of the bit in Crowfields Rd, perfect timing.
Brilliant Thank you John
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Cheers Dave
On the corner of Culvert Road opposite the school was where I went to college back in the early 80's. Was the Engineering department of Tottenham Technical collage.
Great walk john thank you
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Thanks 4thEye
Really enjoyed this video, John - some really lovely Victorian housescapes.
Yay a Sunday video! Thanks John, just going to sit down and enjoy. Fine regards to you Sir.
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Great- hope you enjoy it
John I gave your video 5 stars 🌟 inspiring and knowledgeable is what I tagged... if you ever do a walk about in Slough please can I join you. I would love to know more about my town and learn from you...
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Thanks so much
That was a real treat! Thank you.
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
My pleasure Andy
Conway Road building was a fire station.... I lived in Haringey as a child 😊
Another great walk. Thank you.
Ive got New London and I'm reading it with pleasure. Who knew back then that people like me would admire Russell Brand as the voice of truth! I love the idea of underground rivers,the past centuries hidden under the tarmac but still THERE. But I lack the dedication to follow them through the neighbourhood as you do. There are a number of such streams in Bristol and I do know a couple of places where you can hear them flowing but one does cut an odd figure standing in the road ear cocked to a manhole cover. There is a book by Gillian Tindall called "The Fields Beneath" which I think is about this area.
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Many thanks Jane
@dianastevenson131
6 ай бұрын
I've read The Fields Beneath - it's a great read, so much information about London as it was in the past.
@janebaker966
6 ай бұрын
@@dianastevenson131 this author has an ability to bring the words on old documents to living,breathing life.
I've heard the water under Haringey Park so many times I can't believe I didn't know about this river. I've been up and down Weston Park Road hundreds of times too (I had to hide in the back of Londis when they were filming Sean of The Dead lol), I lived just up the hill until literally a couple weeks ago. Also was just wondering if you've been to the Flash Lane Aqueduct where the New River used to flow over Cuffley Brook.
Enjoyed that, John. Very close to where I lived for several years till recently, and have walked a lot round there too. I'd noticed some victorian "stink pipes" along Harringey Passage, and assumed they were for the New River - but makes sense that they'd be there if the passage itself follows a sewer.
Thanks John, that was so interesting, I know those areas of London very well but had no idea about those rivers! Coincidentally, I travelled by bus from Stamford Hill to Crouch End today and I saw the Halloween display outside the club in Hornsey you featured 😄
this is great! I often walk in the area and will definitely go and see if i can hear the river as well! thank you for this video
Yet another great video, and congratulations on your new issue, which I shall be getting soon! For some reason the scene at Stationers Park, imagining it on a summer's evening, reminds me of the Paradise Garden in Arthur Machen's N.
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Many thanks
Hi john, ive just read "A Toby in the lane" history of the East end markets, its a brilliant book. A collaboration video of the author Paul Morris yourself would be brilliant! He himself isnt an original londoner, a great story
What a fantastic video! I love these river chasing videos. (all the others too though ^^ ) When I clicked 'Like' the counter was at 85, after I finished watching the counter was at 145.
Thanks john great video
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Thanks Kim
The new river is very close to where i live i live between Palmers green and Edmonton i actually used to live off green lanes Haringey towards manor house
Really energetic , sacred rivers 😊
Fantastic walk thank you : )
Welcome back John, long time no see.
Good stuff John.👍
Fascinating as ever, nice to see an area I once knew well and to be reminded of "Bolts" nightclub.
Fascinating! Have you ever thought of using water divining to confirm the presence of water flowing underground?
@JohnRogersWalks
6 ай бұрын
Once many years ago but he didn’t turn up
Great quote: “Nothing I like more, well beer.” 🤣
Thank you John for another lost river walk. Thank you also for your enthusiasm, it makes your videos so much more watchable.
well done John on your new (latest) book! I feel like I was YT subscriber #3000, so it's been a journey of many walks --- and you know well which bits catch my attention, and which images I 'steal' and Tweet back at you! Haha
There used to be a boys school 'Stationers'. It was demolished and Stationers Park was planted in the late 70/80's.
Thanks John!
Well yeah.....beer! Cheers, mate.
Intresting video John. Cheers 🍺👍
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Thanks Michael
Sensational video
You may get some urban explorers that may go looking for the Stonebridge Brook, you always make great video's...Thank's
So many familiar locations, interesting walk John, Cheers mate...
Another great walk, John ! Are there any photographs or etchings of the underground lake - is it still accessible ?
@JohnRogersWalks
7 ай бұрын
Not that I’ve seen but hopefully they’ll emerge
Love it!