24/09/24 15.56: I am walking from Barham Park to Stonebridge Park (station. There’s a little green that shares the name nearish I think) trying to find the Wembley Brook. It doesn’t pass through any green or open spaces so it’s entirely fenced off. So far I’ve heard it, twice, a shushing through the undergrowth of a siding, a burbling where the waterust have hit up against something or entered a culvert. I’ve seen signs warning against it. Steep drops. Forbidden land. No access. But I still haven’t seen the water itself.
The Wembley Brook along the pathway that connects London Road to Tokyngton Road. The London Road end, when I first caught the sound of the brook through the railings and the overgrowth.
The Wembley Brook along the pathway that connects the London Road to Tokyngton Road. A bit further down, when the brook started burbling, as though it was falling slightly or being channelled through something.
Barham Park is the starting point as that is where I’m based for the moment. Where I’m making work, and starting this process of looking for waterways and tracing the landscape. From here I walk towards Wembley Central, turning right down London Road, to find the start of the Wembley Brook’s appearance in the area. I don’t know where it comes from before this. It’s hidden underground, although there’s the briefest glimpse along the south edge of the North Wembley Sports Ground.
I’m ending the walk – or aiming for at least – Stonebridge Park Station as that is where the brook connects to the River Brent.
The main road Harrow Road/High Road to London Road is a dramatic shift. (Of course!) From bustling high street to residential. It immediately becomes so quiet in comparison.
24/09/24 16.05: I’ve come round the end of the road, past a weird high rise that doesn’t seem to know if it’s a hotel or apartments. At no point did I find a view of the brook. Following the road round I’ll find the River Brent which should be easier to spot.
The River Brent, where it runs alongside the North Circular. It’s so shallow. With the raised bit at the side, it looks like a road that’s flooded. I couldn’t find a way down to it. And it looks like that raised side isn’t a pathway as it joins the flow of water a little further down.
I’m going to walk round to find the opposite bank of the brook. I might catch a glimpse there, and if not I’ll get on the tube to head back.
24/09/24 16.10: There it is! I found a view of the Wembley Brook. A sliver of noise and movement beside stonebridge park station. Sadly all this is also fenced off. On one side is the train depot and on the other the wall separating the brook from people’s back gardens.
I don’t know if it’s a sidestep to say that even with only this view of it, I’ve been hearing it, and seeing signs of its presence for a while. The landscape all the way down has followed it. (And it was probably channeled to follow this route too. Nothing is entirely natural here.)
The Wembley Brook where it appears next to the Stonebridge Park train depot. (Right on the roundabout. You can’t miss it!)