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Walk the Mardyke
9th October 2022 @ 11:30 am - 5:00 pm
£5
Walk the Mardyke.
John Churchill walk leader guides us on this unique walk along the Mardyke river from its mouth at Purfleet up to Ockenden. On Sunday 9th October meeting at Purfleet Station at 11,30 am. SIGN UP HERE
Due to National Train Strike this walk has been moved to the Sunday – 9th October. You can use C2C trains running from Liverpool Street 10.45 (11 am) Stratford 11.07 Barking 11.22 arriving at Purfleet 11.35. To return in the afternoon to central London from Ockenden train or bus to Upminster.(and Liv.Street.) There will be rail replacement buses to Upminster or we can use the regular bus service to Upminster Station.
The Mardyke is a river in Thurrock that runs from Brentwood to the Thames at Purfleet….about 16 miles. A strange but true fact …….the Mardyke is a much older river in geological times than the Thames. But of course, of much less significance now!
On the Mardyke near Davy Down (Image curtesy John Churchill)
Barges would use the river to take produce from the Essex Fens to the Port of London. Being a very low lying river, moving ever so slowly, it is prone to floods and after a period of heavy rain this walk would be impossible to complete. The Mardyke Trail,a public footpath follows the river for most of its length (except for the first mile from Purfleet). An amazing landscape of contrasts. One moment you could be in the deep country of Suffolk…..and the next in the world of J.G.Ballard’s ‘Concrete Island’. Davy Down is in a nature reserve, with its ‘heritage’ pumping station and viaduct; where there is a cafe for walkers to stop for refreshments. There is also a pub, conveniently sited at the very end of the walk.
Meeting on Sunday 9th October – You can use C2C trains running from Liverpool Street 10.45 (11 am) Stratford 11.07 Barking 11.22 arriving at Purfleet 11.35. To return in the afternoon to central London from Ockenden train or bus to Upminster (Liverpool Street) There will be rail replacement buses on Sunday to Upminster or we can use the regular bus service to Upminster Station.
Come prepared for rural walk and with refreshments/picnic lunch to enjoy in the autumn display. Lead guide contact for day John on 07398216521.