Stages 22 and 23 of the London Loop from Harold Wood to Rainham

The walk is mainly through parkland and much of the walk follows the River Ingrebourne, a tributary of the Thames.  There are fairly short sections of road walking at the end of each stage. In Rainham there are two interesting buildings. The first is church of St Helen and St Giles founded by Richard de Lucy in 1160. He featured in another of our Loop walks as the founder of Lesnes Abbey, where he died. It is the oldest building in the London Borough of Havering. The second is the adjacent Rainham Hall, a Listed Dutch domestic Queen Anne style house. It is owned by the National Trust and on Wednesdays it is open until 4.30 pm. 

I completed the walkover yesterday in 32C heat, which may not have been wise. Although the sections of road walking are tedious the walk as a whole was far more enjoyable than I had anticipated. The last section of road walking can be avoided by taking the 103 bus either to Rainham Station or Romford Station. There are toilets and a coffee bar on the London bound platform of Harold Wood station. One option for lunch is the Windmill pub on Upminster Road where there are lots of outside tables. Anyone wishing to break the journey at the half way mark can catch the tube from Upminster Bridge Station. There is an attractive visitor centre in Hornchurch Country Park (the site of an old Battle of Britain aerodrome, although little remains) that has toilet facilities. That would be a nicer place to lunch but it is 3/4 of the way through the walk: we will decide on the day.  

The only hazards are a number of busy road crossings. That and possibly falling in the River Ingrebourne if in drink. Rainham Station is on the Fenchurch Street line with trains every 15/20 minutes. 

Although not essential it would be helpful if you email me to confirm your attendance to avoid leaving  anyone behind at Harold Wood.