Date change: Escape from Barking
Thu 16th Sep 2021
Walk Details:
Meet outside The Barking Dog next to station (or inside if early)
We will visit The New Fairlop Oak on route and The Great Spoon of Ilford is just past the finish, throughout the day we expect visits from a local dignitary well versed in these 3 Ws
The original route has been thwarted by bramble and nettle, so more pavement bashing than usual but still some 10 miles of well surfaced paths through town and country parks
Entry Details:
Walk Report
Escape from Barking, Thursday 16th September 20219 walkers, 13 miles - leader Ron Williamson
Barking, the last station on the C2C line to feature as a starting point or destination for a London LDWA walk. Hardly surprising as its featureless surroundings do not at first sight seem to be conducive for a social stroll. Nevertheless, to complete the set we needed to make an effort and step into the unknown.
Encouraged by another glorious day we made our way along the hectic High Street to the first of many parks we were to traverse before reaching our lunch stop at Fullwell Cross. Not too bad so far, some unavoidable road sections but also unexpected greenery and lengthy sections of pathways through parks and public spaces.
The seven miles after lunch commenced with a mile through the landscaped grounds of Claybury Country Park, before more footpaths led us into the Roding Valley which we followed for some five miles back to Ilford.
The path here is a great example of what can be created in an area close to some of the busiest roads in East London, land which could so easily have become an embarrassing eyesore. Instead the river was in pristine condition and home to a wide variety of wild life and with a path maintained so all good enjoy.
Some thirteen miles were walked of which just over three were along roads, well worth the effort and far exceeding our expectations.
The last section of the walk from Ilford to Barking is still a work in progress, and was unpassable a week ago, so this needs to be walked virtually (see YouTube video by John Rogers “Lost world of the River Rodingâ€Â). This is how the last 5 miles of our walk could so easily have been.
Photographs by Charlotte Minchell
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