This week’s exploration of green London will take us to the Ingrebourne Valley in East London. Our walk will lead through a varied and unique mixture of landscapes, ranging from river, open water, grassland, new and ancient woodland, marshland, fenland (with the largest continuous area of freshwater reed beds in Greater London), and – not to forget – some arable farmland.

We will explore the Ingrebourne Valley Greenway, Berwick Glades and Woods, Hornchurch Country Park and Hill and the Sutton, Hacton and Gaynes Parkways.

Hornchurch Country Park is the former site of Sutton’s Farm airfield, from which biplanes of the Royal Flying Corps took off to defend London in World War One.

The Ingrebourne Valley is a true haven for wildlife. Visitors may also get the chance to enjoy the wonderful but all-too-rare ‘plop’ as a Water Vole enters the water or the flash of blue as a Kingfisher dashes downstream.

Will you join us on this walk?

How to get there:

We will meet at 9.30 outside the Tower Gateway tube station, from where we aim to take the District Line to Hornchurch.

If this is easier for you, you can also meet us ca 10.15 am at Hornchurch tube station, or you can can join me at 9 am at the Albany Road Wells Way bus stop (Stop O), to catch bus 42 to Tower Gateway.
Please make sure you text me on 078 078 3456 4 to tell me you plan to meet us at Hornchurch, so we don’t get all worried that you are not at Tower Gateway! 🙂

Both Hornchurch and Upminster are within the Oyster and 60+ Freedom card zone, so there is no need to buy tickets in advance.

Terrain and length of the route:

The route is reasonably flat but on on varied terrain. The paths can be muddy, waterproof shoes with good profile are highly recommended. Our walk will be about 7 miles/ 11 kilometres..

Toilets, food/drinks & what to bring:

There are toilets in the stations of Hornchurch and Upminster, and at the Ingrebourne Valley visitor centre.
I suggest we bring a pick-nick and enjoy our lunch outside, but if the weather isn’t very attractive for eating outside, we could stop at the Visitor centre too.

This walk will happen in any weather, unless it is unsafe, so bring your waterproofs and (preferably waterproof) shoes with a good grippy profile. I am optimistic about the weather and have a reputation to uphold, so don’t forget to bring a sunhat/cap and sunscreen! Don’t forget to bring enough to drink.

Who can join?

Anyone who can comfortably walk 7 miles/11 km.
Feel free to bring a friend or family member, with or without poles. Nordic Walkers or not, that doesn’t matter, as long as they are Fit (enough) and Happy! 😊
Are you a Nordic walker but don’t have your own poles? Would you like to borrow some from me? Text me on 078 078 3456 4 and I will bring you some.

Cost:

£10
If you are one of our regular Fit and Happy Outdoors walkers I can recommend buying a ten-session card for £89. This card can be used on Explorer walks as well as our other Nordic Walking fitness walks.
(We also lead regular Nordic Walking fitness classes. These happen every weekday in Burgess Park/ Brockwell Park/ Sydenham Hill and Dulwich Park.)
If you are genuinely poverty stricken- £5
(Train tickets and food or drinks at café not included)

Need poles?

Don’t have your own poles? Would you like to borrow some from me? Text me the MORNING OF THE WALK on 078 078 3456 4 and I will bring you some. (please, please do not ask me days before, as I will forget and that will make us both unhappy!)

Thinking about buying your own?
Check our shop for a great range of poles. Too much choice? You might like to read this useful guide first. Feel free to give us a ring, we are happy to advise you on the best poles for your lifestyle, needs and wishes.

How to join this walk

New to Fit and Happy Outdoors? Please fill in the registration and health questionaire, which you can find here and email them to walks@fitandhappyoutdoors.com at least 24 hours before the session, mentioning in the header which walk you want to join. That will give us enough time to get back to you and discuss your needs and experience.

Please sign up for our Meetup Group to easily RSVP and find out when the next walks are.

Not on Meetup (yet)? You can also use this contact form: