The main feature of this fairly long stage of the London Loop is again the predominance of pleasant  river and canal side walking. Not that all waterside paths are the same! The first part of the walk will in the shadow of Heathrow airport but this gradually recedes. Our route runs alongside the River Crane and then west along the Grand Union canal towpath, taking in the grounds of the Earl of Berkeley's mansion and Cranford Park. Here we will find including the 16th century church of St. Dunstan's, with its Georgian brickwork.

We will make a detour into Stockley Country Park, our proposed lunch stop and the location of the only hill en route. Returning to the GU canal we gradually turn north into the open Colne Valley. We follow the Slough arm where there is an interesting 'water over water' bridge, and then follow the surprisingly bucolic River Colne with its adjacent lakes and reservoirs. Finally we again rejoin the Grand Union Canal for our final stretch to Uxbridge, a bustling market town on the edge of London.