Rainham Marshes Walk

 

Off message but last Sunday Gill and I finally went for a walk in nearby Rainham Marshes alongside the River Thames. This was a circular route about 7 miles long. We had walked East alongside the Thames in June 2017 in the very last leg of the London Loop walk- Harold Wood to Purfleet. 

However, that had been a warm and sunny day and now it was very different. It was cold, fresh and mostly overcast but the sun did make brief appearances and it brightened up near the end. The light was fantastic and the views across the marshes and the river was spectacular. We parked at the RSPB site near Purfleet where sadly, the café has recently closed (also walking distance from the station?) and walked west alongside the river towards A13. 

It was a "seriously weird" and unusual walk. Some unsightly decaying industrial sites and bright modern industrial estates. Despite some noise from the A13, it was quiet and peaceful with only small groups of bird watchers and occasional dog walkers. There is definitely, something very special, about walking alongside water. 

Main picture is of World War 2 era steel and concrete barges dumped in 1950s but no apparent evidence that they were used on the D Day landings in 1944 that some claim. 

Just before the A13 (walking distance from Rainham Station) we turned back and walked through the marshes alongside the watercourse back to RSPB site. This area was once a British army shooting range. The remains of old shooting butts and wartime anti aircraft ammunition bunkers are still there. 

We will come back again in a different season for sure. We will also investigate the RSBP reserve trail and hides, which we ran out of time to visit. 

Check route below and my other walks www.facebook.com/walksinandaroundlondon/

London Loop Walk: Section 11 Elstree to Cockfosters

This post is just a little late. Despite the lovely blue skies shown in the collage, Gill and I did this 11th section of the London Loop walk on 2 January 2017. It was cold day and even frosty in parts.

Elstree is the home of the UK film industry but while not exactly the most glamorous town I have ever been to it is clean, prosperous looking and close to lovely countryside.

This particular London Loop walk has far too much time being spent alongside noisy roads but also has plenty of quiet, peaceful country and woodland spaces. The Dollis Valley Greenwalk is (mostly) delightful and reminds you of ancient Hertfordshire meadows and hedgerows.

Since it was such a cold day we stopped off for a massive portion of yummy chips in Barnet (I had to have the torpedo sausage as well. It is the law I understand, in such circumstances)

Hadley Green, Barnet is the likely site of one of the most important battles ever fought in the UK. On Easter Sunday 1471, the War of the Roses was effectively decided when the Lancastrian Earl of Warwick was killed on this battlefield by Yorkist soldiers.

As a social housing bod I was curious to see the Monken Hadley 1612 almshouses, that were originally intended for "six decayed house keepers".

Hadley Common (or Enfield Chase?) is a magnificent woodland walk even when you have to cross the London to Scotland Mainline Railway track. Cockfosters Underground Station is easy to find and there are fast and frequent trains back into London.

In summary, yet another great London Loop walk. Only 4 more to do. 

London Loop Walk: Section 9 - Uxbridge Lock to Moor Park:

To confuse matters this walk is posted out of sequence on this blog due to my error. This was the second day of a weekend "London Loop" walk. This is a circuitous 150 mile walk in stages around London which my wife and I started in 2015 and have still not finished.

On Saturday 18 June, Gill and I walked from the Causeway to Uxbridge lock. We stayed the night in a local pub then the next day walked from the Uxbridge lock to Moor Park. This was about 10.25 miles according to the book.

At the start of the walk there was the most friendly, daftest ginger cat ever, wanting strokes and attention (left of picture) which is always a good start to any walk.

The walk was mostly along the Union Canal leaving London far behind us. Stopped off at Fran's Tea Garden for coffee and cake.

At Copper Mill you leave the canal and soon reach lovely, remote rural countryside with great views. Next was Bishop's Wood country park, very pretty, but a little muddy and the route was not very clear.

Near the end you pass a "Coal Post" in the road, which was where in Victoria times, traders had to pay a toil for coal and other items which they were bringing into London.

Another great London Loop walk around our capital city. Only 6 more to go. I am determined to finish these walks this year (2017)

Check out more pictures of the walk on my London Loop Facebook page. 

London Loop Walk: Section 10 - Moor Park to Elstree

On 25 January 2015 I started the London Loop walk, a 150 mile - 15 routes circular walk around London, thinking I would get it done by the end of that year. By end of 2016 I had only done 10 of the 15 "London Loop" walks.

The last one I did in 2016 was the 12 mile "Moor Park to Elstree" walk on 7 August, which was actually one of the nicest and prettiest walks I have done.  The London Loop is a fantastic way to explore the hinterland of our capital city.

Started off from Forest Gate station to get to Moor Park underground station took about one hour. All the London Loop walks start and finish at points which are accessible by public transport. You can use your London Transport "Oyster Card" to reach nearly all of them.

At the start of the walk in Moor Park there is a rather boring stroll across a golf club and roads but soon you enter Oxhey Wood which is really lovely. Later on you come across some great views of London and Harrow on the Hill and more pretty rural scenery before you cross the Euston to Scotland railway line.

After going across yet another golf club you come to the remains of "Grims Dyke" which I have never heard of before but was once some sort of 100AD boundary earthworks stretching out for miles.  Soon afterwards you walk past the lake that the W.S. Gilbert of the Victorian light opera partnership, Gilbert & Sullivan, "mysteriously" drowned there in 1911.  It was a bit unkempt and creepy.

Next was Harrow Weald, which use to be a 19th Century common where locals had the right to quarry gravel and supply clay for brick kilns. It must have been a major industrial area in its time but now although marked by such activity, nature is fighting back and reclaiming the countryside.

Then a lovely countryside walk past RAF Bentley Priory, which used to be Fighter Command Headquarters in the "Battle of Britain". After some road work next was Stanmore Common, take the path under the M1 and walk through Aldenham Country Park. The reservoir in the park was first built by French Prisoner of War in 1795.

The last bit was mostly road with some nice country bits.

Elstree is quite a interesting town with some good pubs and restaurants. It took just over an hour to get back to East London by tube and overground.

Overall this walk was very good and recommended. I am determined to finish the London Loop this year.

London Loop Walk: Section 8 - The Causeway to Uxbridge Lock

This is off message and a very late post. Gill and I have been walking (very slowly and in fits and starts) around our capital city via the London Loop long distance path. It is circular route, 150 miles long, made up of 15 different sections. We started section 1 in January 2015 and thought we would have finished it within a year but still have 6 walks to compete.

This walk took place on Saturday 18 June. We started off near Heathrow airport. The noise from incoming airplanes was incredible. Planes were flying every few minutes just over residential homes in order to land. How on earth local residents are able to live with this noise and the fear of a plane crashing is beyond me. I hope the decision on Tuesday by the Government on the future of UK airports is to do nothing. Nor do we need any expansion of London City airport. The noise and pollution from airports is simply horrendous and unacceptable. There are other forms of transport.

Apart from the noise the walk didn't start all that well since the first part of the path was flooded and so we got our feet completely socked. The path looked like a stream (see collage). Much of the latter part of the walk was along the river crane and canal towpaths.

It was a lovely walk once you escaped from Heathrow. Section 8 was about 11 miles, mostly flat and easy walking terrain. We stayed the Saturday night in the Paddington Packet Hotel in Uxbridge which we found ok but has mixed TripAdvisor reviews. The Thai food was very good but could have been a little bit more spicy.

The next day we walked to Moor Park, which was much better walk and I will post upon sometime soon (ish).

London Loop Walk: Section 7 - Kingston Bridge to The Causeway

Off message. I am trying to catch up on my walking posts.  Following the May 5 election I went on a walking weekend with Gill to get away from politics and enjoy my "hinterland".  We have been trying to complete the London Loop since last year in sections. The Loop is a 150 mile circular walk around London.

On the Saturday we walked section 6 Banstead to Kingston which was about 11 miles.

We stayed the Saturday night in a great "Airbnb" flat and enjoyed a night out in Kingston.   On Sunday we walked from Kingston Bridge to The Causeway (about 10 miles).

Bushy Park was a pleasure. A lovely green park with deer, lakes and beautiful flower displays.

There are some busy roads and industrial areas during the walk but lots of walking next to water.   Hounslow Heath was amazingly remote and even a little wild despite the noise from airplanes taking off from nearby Heathrow airport.

I have lived in London for 28 years but spent nearly all that time in East and Central London. It has been an experience to walk and explore South, West and (next) North London.  I recommend that all Londoners who can, should have a go at the "London Loop" and walk around their great City.

There is no race and you can complete it in as long or short time as you want. 

Check out more photos at my "London Loop" FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/LondonLoop2015/

London Loop Walk Section 6: Banstead to Kingston

This post is a little late and off message but the weekend after the May 5 elections I resumed my attempt to walk around the London Loop route from last year.

The London Loop is a 150 mile circular walk around London split into sections. I had hoped to complete the whole walk last year but only managed to do the walks 1-5. The further away from East London the more difficult it was to get to get to and fro the start and finish of each walk.

This time I decided to do one Loop walk on the Saturday and stay over for the night then do the next walk the following day (Sunday).  It was about 11 miles.

It was a nice walk but mostly urban and suburbia.  Tudor Nonsuch Park and Palace was pretty and interesting but the main path along the river Hogworth was a bit disappointing. Ewell was well worth a visit with the Roman remains and the Village Jail. Brought refreshing ice lollies at Bourne Hall. There was beautiful tree blossom throughout the route. May is a wonderful time of year to go walking.

The best part of the walk was the ending in Kingston upon Thames. There was a Airbnb apartment just off the route and 10 minutes walk from the centre. Kingston is lovely and had a great meal in a restaurant next to the river in the evening and was able to carry on route 7 the following day (Sunday). 

London Loop Walk Section 5: Hamsey Green to Benstead Downs

Off message but another marvellous 10 mile loop walk from last Saturday.  Hamsey Green is not easy to get to from East London. Train it to East Croydon then 10 minute walk to 403 bus to Hamsey Green. Used "The London Loop" guide book.

Weather was warm and sunny. This was a walk along ancient commons and heaths. We stopped for a picnic on on a bench under a large oak next to Kenley airdrome. Nearby was a modern day kiln used for converting wood into charcoal.

Kenley airdrome is now an Air Training Corps glider school but was a former RAF Battle of Britain airbase defending London. It looked very peaceful now but on 18 August 1940 the Germans attacked the base and destroyed 10 hangers and 12 British aircraft. A dark day for the RAF.

The next significant part of the walk was up and down the well named country park "Happy Valley" then along the simply glorious and historic Farthing Downs ridge. Who would think Croydon has such beautiful walking treasures. If it was not for the London Loop I probably would never have walked here.

Feeling I had to give something back, I decided to clean with "wet wipes" some of the rather grubby "London Loop" signs that I could reach (see picture collage before and after). Also in the collage is the Coulsdon milestone was the site of the first ever public railway, the Croydon, Merstham and Godstone Railway, which opened in 1805.

Soon after was the Woodcote small holdings which were built to provide homes and jobs "fit for heroes" for soldiers returning from world war one. The final feature of the walk was the lavender fields  near Oaks Park which was full of families with young children running along the rows of blue lavender.

We took the train back to London from Benstead but please note that the station is closed on Sundays.  I think this has been the best loop walk so far.

Memorial to 5 Beckenham Fire Fighters killed by Enemy Action in West Ham Ward

Last Saturday I posted on a London Loop walk here http://grayee.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/london-loop-walk-section-4-west-wickham.html in rural Croydon, South London.

I was astonished to later find out that a memorial in a Church grave yard in West Wickham was to 5 local Beckenham firefighters who had been killed by a German bomb in the Council ward I represent in Newham.

This is the plaque to those heroes who died defending London from the Nazi blitzkrieg. It includes 6th victim Harold Hugget from West Ham.


The plaque is fixed to the side wall of what is now the Plaistow cafe, 163 Plaistow Road, Newham London, E15 3ET.

There is another memorial in West Ham ward to 13 firefighters killed in 1940

London Loop Walk: Section 4 "West Wickham Common to Hamsey Green" (& a tragic West Ham connection)

Last Saturday I resumed my plan to walk around London along the loop walks after a gap since May. Saturday was better than Sunday since railway and bus links, there and back, are much better. I used the Transport for London (tfl) guide since I couldn't find my "The London Loop" book. Not recommended but better than nothing.

The TFL guide said it was 10 miles long. The weather was warm and mostly sunny.

First thing I noticed on the walk was a memorial in the grave yard of St John the Baptist Parish Church, in West Wickham, to 5 Beckenham firefighters killed by enemy action on 19 March 1941 (see top right). To my later astonishment there was a West Ham connection, where I am a Ward Councillor, with this memorial. The 5 local firefighters were helping London during the Blitz and were killed by a German landmine on route to a fire in Silvertown outside 163 Plastoiw Road, E15 alongside a local London firefighter. I will try and find out more about this.

The London Loop guide book (which I have now found) dates the footpath from the Church to the road below from Saxon times.  Imagine all the people who have walked along it down the ages.

In a wood on the hills opposite there was a marvellous memorial to a dog called "Woody" by his owners, who had fixed a box full of dog biscuits to a tree for other walkers to "treat" their dogs.

We stopped off for lunch at "The Sandrock" pub. Recommended - a great two course lunch deal for only £9.95.

There was some great views overlooking Croydon and central London from the viewing platform on Addington Hills.  Heathfield House, which is a staff training centre owned by Croydon Council had beautiful gardens and also a magnificant vista.

This was the first London Loop walk so far that was mostly rural countryside, some of which was as quiet and beautiful as you can get in any part of South East England. This was indeed a lovely walk.

Route back home to East London was a bit of a mess. I would suggest that you take bus 403 direct to East Croydon rather than via train station in Sanderstead and avoid slow trains into London Bridge or Victoria.

Check out more photos of this walk on my "London Loop" Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/LondonLoop2015?fref=ts

Update: picture of plaque in West Ham ward, Newham, London to the heroes killed defending London during the Blitz. 

London Loop Walk Section 3: "Petts Wood to West Wickham Common"

The General Election is finally over, for good or bad (and I think it is very bad). Yesterday I had my first free Sunday for ages and went off and walked section 3 of the London Loop Walk "Petts Wood to West Wickham".

The weather was warm and mostly sunny. It felt almost but not quiet like a summers day. The first part of the walk was rather built up and suburbia but the last part after Farnborough village was mostly in beautiful and stunning open countryside. Just what my soul needed.

There was great views from the historic site of Wilberforce Oak, where Prime minister William Pitt the Younger and his friend, William Wilberforce, are reputed to have discussed the abolition of the slave trade in 1788.

The walk was supposed to be 9 miles but we got a little lost just after Keston ponds and probably nearer 10 by the end. 

London Loop Walk: Section 2 - Old Bexley to Jubilee Park

Off message but photos are from the 2nd London Loop Walk last Sunday. This was just under 8 miles and much more attractive than the first. The riverside walk along the River Cray was very muddy but it was fun watching daft dogs jumping into the freezing cold water to chase balls or ducks.

I used the guidebook "The London Loop" by David Sharp/Colin Saunders (2012) which is much better than the rather useless directions on the Transport for London website.  London Mayor, Boris Johnson, has withdrawn funding for the walk I believe.

We had lunch at Georgian Country home, Sidcup Place, which is now run as a restaurant by Brewers Faye. Hot burgers and chips, tasty because of the cold but nothing much to write home about. It was interesting to look inside Sidcup Place and imagine what it looked like in the past (bottom right).

The last part of the walk was the best. Scadbury Park and Petts Wood was beautiful and peaceful. Only 13 more walks and about 134 miles to go.

London Loop Walk: Section 1 - Erith to Bexley

Off message but today Ms Grayee and I started on a long distance walk around London. The "London Outer Orbital Path" (better known as London Loop) is a 240 Km (150 mile) mostly sign posted route around outer London. It is divided into 24 linear sections which vary between 6.1 and 16.8 km accessible by public transport within London (tfl) Zone 6.

We are going to try and complete all the sections within the next year. The first section was 8.5 miles long from Erith to Bexley.  It took about an hour from Forest Gate (East London) to get there. This part of the walk involved walking along the River Thames which was the best bit by far. The water, salt marshes, the light and "big skies" was marvellous. But this is also in an industrialised part of London with more than its fair share of road noise, litter, scrap yards and rubbish tips.

We met up in Crayford with a group of young people who were nearly finishing the loop after 2 years of weekend walking and they said this was by far the worse section, which they had left till last. They were a cheerful bunch who admitted that they had already enjoyed the hospitality of a number of pubs on route and were looking forward to their next pit-stop. My type of people!

We agreed that the instructions on the official "Transport for London" route here are pretty rubbish (shame on you Boris).  So tonight I have ordered "Capital Ring' by Colin Saunders and "The London Loop" (Recreational Path Guides) by David Sharp. The youngsters were the only obvious ramblers we saw all day. 

We started about 11.15 and finished at 3pm. It took a while to get back to Forest Gate but had Sunday newspapers to read. 

I am looking forward to the next section which is Old Bexley village to Petts Woods and only 7 miles long.  I will make further posts and even create a London Loop Facebook page. I will be busy, busy in the run up to the general election in May but will hopefully be able to snatch a few days to retreat to my hinterland. 

Update: London Loop 2015 FaceBook page