Beating the Bounds is a traditional walk that marks significant boundaries, such as the boundaries of a parish, a manor, commons or another important public open space. The event usually takes place during Rogationtide, in springtime, when prayers for a good harvest are offered. Willow sticks decorated with flowers and ribbons are carried and used to hit important boundary markers.

Locally, this tradition was resurrected by the late Katy Andrews of the New Lammas Lands Defence Committee, and we have hosted a biennial version of this event since Katy’s untimely death a few years ago.

We have now confirmed details of this year’s Beating the Bounds walk!

It will take place on 25 May, as part of The LoveLea Festival. The festival will be a series of river-themed events taking place in late May and early June in the Lower Lea Catchment hosted by Clean Up the River Lea (CURL). This is an alliance of community groups committed to local river restoration, including Save Lea Marshes, Leaside, East London Garden Society, East London Waterworks Park, Beach of Dreams, and ecoACTIVE. The festival is supported by Thames 21.

We’ll set off from the towpath next to The Princess of Wales pub (E5 9RB) at 2pm and aim to finish outside Hackney Marshes User Centre by 4pm on Sunday 25 May.

We’ll walk along a short section of the Lee Navigation, crossing over to Middlesex Filter Beds, and then join the path that runs alongside the Old River Lea on Hackney Marshes, exploring the history of this precious common land and significant boundaries. We will be joined by local resident Sarah Bancroft who will tell us stories about local history along the way.

This is a map of the route we will take. There will be short, intermediate and long options for the walk – you can walk as much or as little of the route as you like:

• Short route:0.8 miles, The Princess of Wales to Friends Bridge
• Intermediate route: 1.8 miles, The Princess of Wales to Hackney Marshes User Centre (via route marked blue, then red)
• Long route: 2.4 miles, The Princess of Wales to Hackney Marshes User Centre (via route marked all in blue)

The walk is completely FREE, with donations welcome in advance or on the day.

There’s no need to book for the walk, just turn up!

If you’d like to join us for traditional willow dressing at the pub prior to the walk, just let us know by contacting leamarshes@gmail.com and we’ll share the details with you by email.

All welcome, including families. We will have a special activity for children to do along the way.

We look forward to seeing you there!