Purfleet-on-Thames: Grow Your Own

Sun 13th June

Starts: RSPB Rainham Marshes
Ends: High House Production Park

Booking for this walk has now closed, but you can follow the route on your own.

This walk was split into two parts, both meeting at RSPB Rainham Marshes.

The first part of the walk explored the award winning bird sanctuary at RSPB, built on ancient marshland and once used as a firing range it offers spectacular views of Purfleet-on -Thames and was the perfect place for us to reflect on our dreams for a more sustainable community. Living London’s Director Saira Niazi joined us to lead the conversation.

For the second part of the walk we were joined by Inspiral London walkers. We paused at the Beacon for a ‘welcome to Purfleet-on-Thames’ talk with a brief history of the area, and a visit to Heavenly Greens Fruit & Veg based at St Stephen’s Church, before continuing to High House Production Park.

At High House Production Park members of the Purfleet-on-Thames community shared their journeys and local connections, bringing food, recipes and music. Together, we captured our dream for a sustainable community by creating a recipe for Purfleet-on-Thames.

With contributions from Heavenly Greens Fruit & Veg, The Backstage Centre, South Essex College, the High House Community Group and other local groups and in partnership with developers PCRL (Purfleet Centre Regeneration Limited), walkers were invited to this celebratory event on the theme of sustainable communities.

About Living London
Living London wanderings bring London’s hidden gems to life through storytelling and anecdotes of people and place.
Each of their walks lasts about 2.5 hours including stop-offs at various wondrous locations across the city.

SCHEDULE

Walk 1

10:00: Suggested meeting point, RSPB Rainham Marshes Visitor Centre, New Tank Hill Rd, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1SZ
10:15 – 12:15: Walk Part 1 is a 2-hour walk
12.15: Arrive at RSPB Rainham Marshes Visitor Centre, New Tank Hill Rd, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1SZ

Walk 2

12:15: Suggested meeting point, RSPB Rainham Marshes Visitor Centre, New Tank Hill Rd, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1SZ
12:30 – 14:00: Walk Part 2 is a 1.5-hour walk
14:00: Arrive at, High House Production Park, Vellacott Close, Purfleet, RM19 1RJ

WALK INFO

Walk 1

Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 3.8 miles
Grading: Moderate
Terrain: A mixture of paved and unpaved paths as well as grassland and dirt tracks. Part of this walk involves climbing a moderate hill, one part of the decent is fairly steep and uneven. Please ensure you have appropriate footwear.
Access: Not accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Walk 2

Duration: 1.5 hours
Distance: 2 miles
Grading: Easy
Terrain: The majority of this walk takes places on pavements however some pathways are slightly uneven and involve busy road crossings. At the beacon we will walk across a grassy area without a clear pathway but all of the walk is accessible to wheel chairs and pushchairs.
Access: Is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs.

MAP

Walk 1 map: RSPB circular walk on Wikiloc (opens in new tab)

Please note the green start marker on the map is not correct. Please meet at RSPB Rainham Marshes Visitor Centre, New Tank Hill Rd, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1SZ

Walk 2 map RSPB to HHPP on Wikiloc (opens in new tab)

TRAVEL

TRAINS

The nearest train station at the start & end: C2C Purfleet Station

This is a 15 minute walk to RSPB Rainham and High House Production Park.

BUS

Number 44 stops on London Road near both the start and end of these walks.

Service timetables change so please check the Ensign Bus Schedules for latest information

PARKING

Parking is available at RSPB Rainham but the car park closes at 5pm so please allow time to return to your car if you continue to the walk to High House Production Park.

Free parking is available at HHPP if you wish to park there and walk to the start.

ACCESSIBILITY

Walk 1 is not accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs due to the steep hill that forms part of the route.

Walk 2 is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, but please note part of the walk is via busy Tank Hill Road and at times pathways are quite narrow, although there are suitable road crossings.

WALK SAFE

Read the Covid Safety information here.

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Please ensure that you are properly equipped for all walks. The weather can be unpredictable so bring waterproof clothing and/or sun hats and sun cream – it’s best to be prepared for everything!

Walking boots/shoes are recommended, but otherwise please wear suitable and comfortable footwear- best to leave open-toe sandals or high heels at home. Make sure you bring a packed lunch if necessary, and plenty to drink.

You need to choose walks within your capabilities and that you are sufficiently fit for the grade of walk you have chosen. T100 walks are of different lengths and on different terrain. Some are mainly on footpaths, and others mainly on footpaths where ground may be uneven. If one walk doesn’t suit you, there is probably another one that will.

Due care has been exercised in organising the walks, however Kinetika, the funders and associated partners of the project cannot accept liability for loss, accident or injury caused to any person following the routes, especially unsupervised. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
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