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The Ingrebourne Valley : Hornchurch to Upminster Short Walk

Open water, grassland, woodland, marshland, fenland via a series of linked green spaces along the Ingrebourne River

Easy London

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sun, 09-Feb-25 Hornchurch to Upminster (the Ingrebourne valley)
Sat, 20-Aug-22 East London Double Bill (I): Open water, grassland, woodland, marshland, fenland, green spaces - The Ingrebourne Valley 8 warm with a breeze
Thu, 24-Jun-21 Evening Walk - Open water, grassland, woodland, marshland, fenland, green spaces: The Ingrebourne Valley 4 balmy
Thu, 04-Jul-19 Evening Walk - The Ingrebourne Valley (Hornchurch to Upminster) 6 pleasantly warm
Mon, 02-Apr-18 Easter Monday - Double Bill: East London Short Walks --- The Ingrebourne Valley (Hornchurch to Upminster) [New Walk] [Walk-Check] 11 dry with one short period of drizzle

Sunday 09-Feb-25

Sean
Short Walk 34 – Hornchurch to Upminster (with Berwick Woods extension)

Length: 13.1 km (8.1 miles). Toughness 1/10

Take a District line tube (towards Upminster) to arrive at Hornchurch by 11:30. It's about a 50-minute journey from central London. Hornchurch and Upminster are both in TfL Zone 6.

Alternatively, take a c2c train from Fenchurch Street to Upminster (no later than the 11:02 to Laindon, arriving at 11:25) and double back a couple of stops on the District line.

There are six c2c trains an hour back to Fenchurch Street from Upminster, plus frequent District line tubes.

River Ingrebourne An impressively large number of walks inside the M25 are regularly being added to the SWC site but most are rather hidden away on a “Short Walks” page which tends to be overlooked by weekend walk posters. Some are more than long enough to qualify as a ‘day walk’, not least this one with its short optional extension included. It's a varied stroll through a succession of green spaces in the valley of the reed-lined River Ingrebourne, taking in habitats partly created from quarries and a former WW Ⅱ airfield. The notes also promise a fine view of the London skyline.

In common with other Short Walks there's no dedicated stop for a pub lunch, so have a decent brunch before you set out. There's a café in the Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre about two-thirds of the way round for a pit stop, plus a choice of refreshment places in Upminster if you want some more substantial fare at the end of the walk.

As usual there's no leader, so please download the GPS file and/or the directions from the L=short.34 page.

Saturday 20-Aug-22

Thomas G

Open water, grassland, woodland, marshland, fenland via a series of linked green spaces along the Ingrebourne River: Hornchurch to Upminster

Length: 11.7 km/7.3 mi;
Height Gain: 90m
Net Walking Time: 2 ½ hours
Meet 10.15 hours prompt outside Hornchurch Station (District Line to Upminster, in Zone 6), travel time from Tower Hill 43 minutes, from West Ham (Jubilee Line, DLR and Mainline trains) 25 minutes, from Barking 14 minutes, from Upminster 3 minutes.
Your fastest option will be to take the 09.35 Shoeburyness train from Fenchurch Street (West Ham 09.52, Barking 09.56), arrives Upminster 10.00 and travel back on the District Line to Hornchurch. [Fenchurch Street Mainline Station is a 2-minutes walk from Tower Hill tube and 10 from Bank)]
Return trains from Upminster: xx.16 , xx.46 .
Return District Line: every few minutes
The part of the Ingrebourne Valley walked through on this walk comprises a varied and unique mixture of interlinked and partly overlapping local green spaces - Ingrebourne Valley Greenway, Berwick Glades, Berwick Woods, Hornchurch Country Park, Ingrebourne Hill and the Sutton, Hacton and Gaynes Parkways. These include habitats ranging from river, open water, grassland, secondary and ancient woodland, marshland, fenland (with the largest continuous area of freshwater reed beds in Greater London), and – not to forget – some arable farmland.

Partly former airfield, ex-quarries, farmland or landfill site, it is now a continuous green space and contains – pound for pound – one of the best viewpoints of London’s Skyline, from all of 11 metres above sea!

Walk Options:
Several shortcuts are possible, as the southerly parts of the outbound and return routes are running close to each other, these are obvious on the route map.
Bus Stops for services to District Line stations are located close to the route after 8.0 km and 9.2 km.
Follow the outbound route back to Hornchurch station instead of going to Upminster: cut 1.8 km.
An Extension through Berwick Woods to the reed-fringed Berwick Pond adds 1.4 km.
An Alternative Ending at Rainham station links up with the start of SWC 172 - Rainham to Purfleet (via RSPB Rainham Marshes); Hornchurch to Rainham is a 7.2 km/4.5 mi walk.
Refreshments:
Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre in Hornchurch Country Park. The visitor centre is located 3.9 km from the end of the walk.
Several Restaurants, Pubs and a Tap Room in Upminster, see the pdf or webpage for details.
For a detailed route map, gpx/kml file, photos and pdf directions click here. T=short.34
  • Thu, 18-Aug-22

    Anyone keen on this walk Saturday 20/08/22?

    Regards

    Mishlin

  • Sat, 20-Aug-22

    7 at the agreed time, incl. 2 first timers, plus 1 late starter, only encountered at the end of the walk at the lunch place: 8 in weather that was warm with a breeze .

    The valley was mainly still in lush green colours, although water levels were low in the Ingrebourne, and all small ponds were dry. Some burnt areas of grass and brambles were spotted on Ingrebourne Hill though.

    We reached Upminster at 13.00 hours, which left 45 minutes for a quick lunch at the Osteria Due Amici for those that wanted to do the afternoon walk as well.

Thursday 24-Jun-21

Thomas G
COVID 19
Track-and-Trace: please provide email address (preferred) or mobile phone number at the start
Rule of Thirty: for the foreseeable

Open water, grassland, woodland, marshland, fenland via a series of linked green spaces along the Ingrebourne River: Hornchurch to Upminster

Length: 11.7 km/7.3 mi; Height Gain: 90m
Net Walking Time: 2 ½ hours
Meet 18.45 hours prompt outside Hornchurch Station (District Line to Upminster, in Zone 6), travel time from Tower Hill 43 minutes, from West Ham (Jubilee Line, DLR and Mainline trains) 25 minutes, from Barking 14 minutes, from Upminster 3 minutes.
Your fastest option will be to take a Mainline train from Fenchurch Street (walk 2 minutes from Tower Hill, 10 from Bank) via Limehouse, West Ham, Barking to Upminster (24 minutes journey) and travel back two stops on the District Line.
Return trains from Upminster (today via Barking and Stratford to L’pool Street): 21.03, 21.33, 22.02, 22.36.
Return District Line : every few minutes
The part of the Ingrebourne Valley walked through on this walk comprises a varied and unique mixture of interlinked and partly overlapping local green spaces - Ingrebourne Valley Greenway, Berwick Glades, Berwick Woods, Hornchurch Country Park, Ingrebourne Hill and the Sutton, Hacton and Gaynes Parkways. These include habitats ranging from river, open water, grassland, secondary and ancient woodland, marshland, fenland (with the largest continuous area of freshwater reed beds in Greater London), and – not to forget – some arable farmland.
Partly former airfield, ex-quarries, farmland or landfill site, it is now a continuous green space and contains – pound for pound – one of the best viewpoints of London’s Skyline, from all of 11 metres above sea!
Walk Options:
Several shortcuts are possible, as the southerly parts of the outbound and return routes are running close to each other, these are obvious on the route map.
Bus Stops for services to District Line stations are located close to the route after 8 km and 9.2 km.
Follow the outbound route back to Hornchurch station instead of going to Upminster: cut 1.8 km.
An Extension through Berwick Woods to the reed-fringed Berwick Pond adds 1.4 km.
Refreshments: Several Restaurants, Pubs and a Tap Room in Upminster, see the pdf or webpage for details.
For a detailed route map, gpx/kml file, photos and pdf directions click here. T=short.34
  • Thu, 24-Jun-21

    4 in balmy weather.

    Largely event-free today, hardly any dog walkers or other walkers were encountered.

    Lots of greenery, wildflowers, birdlife, including some relatively rare ones (an egret, a handful of cygnets and - yes, yes - a cuckoo, the latter only heard but not seen of course, across the marshland pond...).

    We reached Upminster's centre at 21.10 where 3 chose to eat at Osteria due Amici and 1 went straight to the station. 22.08 train for us. Lovely evening.

Thursday 04-Jul-19

Thomas G
Open water, grassland, woodland, marshland, fenland via a series of linked green spaces along the Ingrebourne River
Length: 11.7 km/7.3 mi; Height Gain: 90m
Meet 18.45 hours prompt outside Hornchurch Station (District Line to Upminster, in Zone 6), travel time from Tower Hill 43 minutes, from West Ham (Jubilee Line, DLR and Mainline Trains) 25 minutes, from Barking 14 minutes, from Upminster 3 minutes. Your fastest option will be to take a Mainline train from Fenchurch Street (walk 2 minutes from Tower Hill, 10 from Bank) via Limehouse, West Ham, Barking to Upminster and travel back two stops on the District Line. This train will likely be crowded though in rush hour.
Return trains from Upminster : xx.01, xx.08, xx.19, xx.31, xx.38 (journey time from 22 minutes to Fenchurch Street). Trains stop Barking, West Ham and Limehouse.
The part of the Ingrebourne Valley walked through on this walk comprises a varied and unique mixture of interlinked and partly overlapping local green spaces - Ingrebourne Valley Greenway, Berwick Glades, Berwick Woods, Hornchurch Country Park, Ingrebourne Hill and the Sutton, Hacton and Gaynes Parkways. These include habitats ranging from river, open water, grassland, secondary and ancient woodland, marshland, fenland (with the largest continuous area of freshwater reed beds in Greater London), and – not to forget – some arable farmland.
Partly former airfield, ex-quarries, farmland or landfill site, it is now a continuous green space and contains – pound for pound – one of the best viewpoints of London’s Skyline, from all of 11 metres above sea!
Walk Options:

· Several shortcuts are possible, as the southerly parts of the outbound and return routes are running close to each other, these are obvious on the route map.
· Bus Stops for services to District Line stations are located close to the route after 8 km and 9.2 km.
· Follow the outbound route back to Hornchurch station instead of going to Upminster: cut 1.8 km.
· An Extension through Berwick Woods to the reed-fringed Berwick Pond adds 1.4 km.
Refreshments: Several Restaurants, Pubs and a Tap Room in Upminster, see the pdf or webpage for details.
For a detailed route map, gpx/kml file, photos and pdf directions click here . T=short.34
  • Thu, 04-Jul-19

    5 more or less on time, with 1 other way behind (he short cut and met us about half way along), so 6 in pleasantly warm weather. Start and Finish of the walk are some way off the green valley route, so residential roads must be negotiated first and last. Once we got to the river though, it was very quiet and peaceful, with hardly a soul about initially. The route soon veers away from the river to walk field boundaries with views and over former landfill sites/now woods or hay meadows with plenty of wildflowers. The viewpoint at the southern end of the walk did not disappoint: (most of) the NE of Greater London was on view, from the Dartford Bridge to The Shard.

    Along the return route, in Hornchurch Country Park, we were delighted to see so many people use the various trim-trail and activity playground hardware while we also inspected the various info panels, memorial sculptures and leftover hardware commemorating the various RAF Stations that used to be here.

    Near the end, the late sun made for some striking cloudscapes and we got to Upminster - broadly as planned - at 21.20. 4 stayed on for a meal at an Osteria, 22.36 train for those.

Monday 02-Apr-18

Thomas G
Length: 11.7 km (7.3 mi) [shorter and longer walks possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: 90m
Net Walking Time: ca. 2 ½ hours
Arrive at Hornchurch station for a 14.00 start. Hornchurch Underground Station is in Zone 6, on the District Line to Upminster. Journey time from Aldgate East is 36 minutes, from Victoria 53 minutes. You can shave off time by taking mainline trains from Fenchurch Street (or from Limehouse or West Ham) to Upminster and then travel back a couple of stops on the Underground. Upminster Station is also in Zone 6 and served by the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway from Fenchurch Street (journey time 22 minutes, via Limehouse, West Ham and Barking), as well as the terminus of the District Line and of the Romford to Upminster Overground. Return trains to Fenchurch Street: xx.21, xx.25, xx.51, xx.55.
The part of the Ingrebourne Valley walked through on this walk comprises a varied and unique mixture of interlinked and partly overlapping local green spaces - Ingrebourne Valley Greenway, Berwick Glades, Berwick Woods, Hornchurch Country Park, Ingrebourne Hill and the Sutton, Hacton and Gaynes Parkways. These include habitats ranging from river, open water, grassland, secondary and ancient woodland, marshland, fenland (with the largest continuous area of freshwater reed beds in Greater London), and – not to forget – some arable farmland.
Partly former airfield, ex-quarries, farmland or landfill site, it is now a continuous green space and contains – pound for pound – one of the best viewpoints of London’s Skyline, from all of 11 metres above sea!
Walk Options:
Several shortcuts are possible , as the southerly parts of the outbound and return routes are running close to each other, these are obvious on the route map.
Bus Stops for services to District Line stations are located close to the route after 8.0 km and 9.2 km.
Follow the outbound route back to Hornchurch station instead of going to Upminster: cut 1.8 km.
An Extension through Berwick Woods to the reed-fringed Berwick Pond adds 1.4 km.
For summary, walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here.
Tea: Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre (open to 17.00, located 3.9 km from the end of the walk).
Several cafés, bistros and restaurants in Upminster , and also…
The Crumpled Horn A Marston’s pub. Food served.
The Upminster Tap Room South West Essex CAMRA Pub of the Year 2017, with a wide variety of excellent ales, and also selling well chilled Wine and Prosecco. No food.
The Junction A Greene King pub. Food served to 21.30 every day. T=short.34
  • Fri, 23-Mar-18

    Note that the Upminster Tap Room has a 'Beer, Cider & Gin Festival (+ Wine & Prosecco)' on over Easter. Open to 21.00 on Easter Monday.

  • Anonymous
    Sun, 01-Apr-18

    Hoping to join you for this pm section of the walk.

  • Tue, 03-Apr-18

    After the morning walk from Dagenham East we lost 10 walkers to appointments or 'mud-fatigue', but gained 5 others, endorsing the concept of a Double Bill of walks in close proximity. So 11 in dry with one short period of drizzle type weather.

    The overnight deluge on already sodden ground meant that a some of the (mostly tarmac) paths had standing water on them, which mostly was easy to walk around though. But it also meant that two critical areas were flooded, so much that in case 1 only dogged determination to find an alternative route through the trees and undergrowth saved us from cutting out the 'arable fields'-stretch of the route, and in case 2 it necessitated a diversion along a higher lying path (this will be added to text and gpx).

    We got to the Ingrebourne Visitor Centre in good time for a tea stop, and this proved to be a very welcoming place with a good selection of drinks and food (although sadly they had just run out of clotted cream) and some fine views over the marshland pond SSSI from the dining area.

    At the end most went to the Upminster Taproom, and stayed for a few hours to give everyone a chance to get through the very varied drinks menu in pretty convivial atmosphere.

    All in, I think everone agreed this to be a surprisingly varied route with plenty of interesting features (incl. several relics from the RAF Hornchurch days) on the very outskirts of London.