New River (England) - Modern Alterations

Modern Alterations

A winding original section of the channel that used to run through the town centre of Enfield has been cut off from the main flow, but is still maintained as an important local civic amenity, called the New River Loop.

Originally the course was above ground throughout, but in the second half of the 19th Century some sections were put underground, enabling the course to be straightened. The picture (right) shows where the river now disappears underground in Hackney to reappear in Islington. This section used to run along the route of Petherton Road in Highbury. The algal bloom shows how stagnant the water is at this point, most of it being diverted into London's water supply just north of Clissold Park.

The route of the New River now provides an attractive route through Islington. The broad verge down the centre of Petherton Road leads to Essex Road, where another semi-redundant section of the New River's course between Canonbury and Islington town centre forms a picturesque walk alongside the now shallow stream. At Canonbury Road, the walk continues through a fernery to Pleasant Place, where an inscription in the pavement marks the New River's route. At Islington Green, there is a statue of Sir Hugh Myddelton; the route continues along Colebroke Row and Duncan Terrace to the Angel, then through Owen's Fields to Myddelton Square.