A picnic only walk
Rainham to Purfleet plus circuit of RSPB reserve: 12.6 km (7.9 m)
Toughness 0 out of 10, (it says here)
An easy walk, completely flat, well signposted and on tarmac or other hard surfaces.. The section just after Rainham goes through an area rich in wild flowers. The route to the reserve is evocative and atmospheric with fine views across the River Thames and the marshes. Along the riverside path to the reserve there are some concrete barges, abandoned landing craft used in the D-Day landings. Look out too for 'The Diver', in the river and a string of jokey wooden ‘tombstones’.
The RSPB Reserve at Rainham Marshes has a visitor centre, (not quite as good now the café has shut but there’s still picnic and toilet facilities). Entry to the reserve is free.
Here you got choices
- You can look round the reserve
- You can return to Rainham, about 3 miles. (This route starts with a rather uninspiring slog round the back of the Waste Management centre. But there is a pub near the station).
- You can go on to Purfleet. If so, be sure to dip down to the museum building on the way, just to look back at the impressive line of soldier silhouettes. As you reach Purfleet the path veers from the river beside the Royal Hotel. This is not as derelict as it looks. If you go round the front of the building, to its left-hand side, you will see an entrance leading to its bar.
Travel:
Get the 10:05 Grays train from Fenchurch St calling at West Ham 10:14 Barking 10:20 arriving Rainham (Essex) 10:28
Trains return from Purfleet at xx:58 and 28. Trains return from Rainham at xx:03 and 33
Rainham (Essex) station is in London Travel Zone 6. Purfleet is one stop beyond. Get a return to Purfleet. If covered for the zones you would just need a single from Purfleet to Rainham
Directions: here t=swc.172
Lunch: Picnic only. Rainham Marshes RSPB Visitor Centre Café, New Tank Hill Rd, Purfleet, (01708 899 840).
Tea: Purfleet ending: Royal Hotel, Purfleet. London Road 01708 860 852). The Royal is located 450m from the end of the walk.
Rainham ending: The Phoenix, A community-run pub, near the station.
3 comments:
The computer tells me that contactless is now accepted on all c2c stations, and that "using Contactless or Oyster is significantly cheaper and more convenient than buying a paper ticket for this specific trip" (unless you have a Railcard). Is that right?
Hi Alex, if you have a travel pass for London it's still better to buy a ticket to save having to "tap out" somewhere but if not then yes, as I understand it contactless is better
N=6 at the station. A w=cloudy day .
The walk went much as expected. Plenty of plants, ducks on the river, barges, diver, jokey tombstones, the works.
Into the visitor centre where we stopped for a picnic on posh sofas. The place looking a little sorry for itself now the cafe has closed. Then a look round the reserve, where we saw birds and stuff. Mr Tiger’s Merlin went berserk. We oohed at the little baby goslings.
On to Purfleet. Would you believe the Royal Hotel has smartened itself up a bit? Well it has! Fresh coat of paint. Still a long way to go and still festooned with scaffolding but at least they’ve made an effort. Mr Tiger’s jaw dropped. Let’s hope it doesn’t go all posh. We stopped for drinkies.
Then on to the station and home. A grand day out.
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