A friend and I did this route on a rare sunny mid-winter day. The map of our route is below.
From Rainham station, we crossed Rainham Marshes, and joined the excellent riverside cycle path to and through the RSPB reserve. Foregoing the temptation to stop for bacon butties at the RSPB cafe, we pressed on to Purfleet station. Previously, one accessed the Thames-side path here through a gap in the metal fence. Notices indicate that this derelict area beside the river is due for regeneration at some unspecified time in the future, and the gap has been closed, but instead we took the path which is signposted by the level crossing, passing through the row of cottages to access the riverside via a wicket gate.
The area between the gate and the river wall was a bit rough, muddy and rubbish-strewn, but we crossed this and got to the good path beside the river wall and then we made good progress. (The official footpath is signed along a muddy tract some way back from the river: this would be heavy going.) We had to manhandle our bikes over several sets of steps, but the effort was rewarded by the interesting surroundings. The path passes various factories, jetties and depots, goes under the QE2 Dartford Crossing bridge then follows the flood-protection wall, decorated with some excellent graffiti paintings, right beside the river with great views over the estuary.
Having arrived at Grays, we stopped for a late lunch at the Wharf pub beside the waterfront. We had planned to go on to catch the ferry from Tilbury to Gravesend, but decided, given the fading daylight and impending witching hour for taking bikes on trains, to get the train back to Fenchurch Street from Grays station. Explorations south of the river will have to wait for another day.
From Rainham station, we crossed Rainham Marshes, and joined the excellent riverside cycle path to and through the RSPB reserve. Foregoing the temptation to stop for bacon butties at the RSPB cafe, we pressed on to Purfleet station. Previously, one accessed the Thames-side path here through a gap in the metal fence. Notices indicate that this derelict area beside the river is due for regeneration at some unspecified time in the future, and the gap has been closed, but instead we took the path which is signposted by the level crossing, passing through the row of cottages to access the riverside via a wicket gate.
The area between the gate and the river wall was a bit rough, muddy and rubbish-strewn, but we crossed this and got to the good path beside the river wall and then we made good progress. (The official footpath is signed along a muddy tract some way back from the river: this would be heavy going.) We had to manhandle our bikes over several sets of steps, but the effort was rewarded by the interesting surroundings. The path passes various factories, jetties and depots, goes under the QE2 Dartford Crossing bridge then follows the flood-protection wall, decorated with some excellent graffiti paintings, right beside the river with great views over the estuary.
Having arrived at Grays, we stopped for a late lunch at the Wharf pub beside the waterfront. We had planned to go on to catch the ferry from Tilbury to Gravesend, but decided, given the fading daylight and impending witching hour for taking bikes on trains, to get the train back to Fenchurch Street from Grays station. Explorations south of the river will have to wait for another day.
 |
| Rainham, station |
 |
| Entering Rainham Marshes |
 |
| 'The Diver' sculpture |
 |
| Riverside cycling at its best |
 |
| Rainham Marshes RSPB Visitor Centre |
 |
| Beside the river |
 |
| Urban jungle |
 |
| QE2 Bridge |
 |
| Graffiti |
 |
| Towards Grays |
 |
| WW2 defences |
 |
| Proctor and Gamble factory |
Comments
Post a Comment