21 Havering-atte-Bower to Harold Wood

1st September 2006

Before starting section 21, there was the small matter of finishing off section 20. It was a warm, humid day with a hint of rain at the start but the sun came out strongly and it turned into a beautiful day.

I picked up the walk where I left off, at Havering Country park, with some fine views back to Hainault. It was particularly pleasing to spot landmarks from the previous walk like Chigwell Row church as you can gauge how far you come.

I crossed a stile and entered the woods of the country park. The footpath led uphill through the trees to a beautiful avenue of Wellingtonias, sequoias planted by a previous owner. Although they are only babies they tower above the indigenous trees and can be easily spotted on the skyline. The first mile of the walk through the woods was all uphill and at the top in the village of Havering you are rewarded with a seat with a great view looking north into the heart of Essex.

After Havering, the walk goes past the Round House, a white building imitating a water tower, which will become a familiar landmark on later walks, through the old estate of Pyrgo Park with its abandoned wrought iron gates and along a ridge which hid most of London from site. It was quiet, empty and pleasant walking, a mixture of pasture and woodland.

However, this was a walk of two halves. In the first 3 miles, I’d crossed one road, seen one very grumpy horsewoman, sheep, horses and heard mostly birdsong not traffic. Once I arrived at Noak Hill, the scenery changed abruptly from rural to urban. The Loop follows the valley of the mighty river Ingrebourne through a narrow green strip of parkland surrounded by the means streets of Harold Hill, crossing a whole succession of roads until meeting the A12 at a crossing point not for the faint hearted. (The official guide recommends a detour to the nearest pedestrian crossing 500 metres away). After that it was street walking all the way to the finish point at Harold Wood station.

The walk through Havering Country Park to Noak Hill is thoroughly recommended. It is a proper country walk, taking in the pretty village of Havering, with its village green and stocks. Nearby Bedfords Park is on the London side of the ridge and has great views to the heights of Shooters Hill on the south side of the Thames, 11 miles away. This was another Cobb family favourite day being only a bus ride from Dagenham, walking up the hill, feeding the deer, rolling down the hill. Havering always feels to me that it is the place where London ends and the country begins.

Time for leg 2h 30m Distance 5 miles Time for trip 4hr 45m
Walk log

Total walking time 6hr 15m Total distance 10.5m Total time 11hr 05m

Section 21 Essentials

Section Map
Directions

Distance and Time 4.3 miles 2 hours 40 minutes

Walking Conditions: Generally fairly level with some gentle slopes, mostly on rough paths, tracks and grass, four stiles, three kissing gates and two footbridges.

Click here for more details about Bedfords Park