London Outer Orbital Path: Rainham to Purfleet via RSPB Rainham Marshes Walk
An easy birdwatching walk in Outer East London along an atmospheric section of the London LOOP via the RSPB reserve at Rainham marshes.
An easy birdwatching walk in Outer East London along an atmospheric section of the London LOOP via the RSPB reserve at Rainham marshes.
Thanks for the headsup, PMG. That note by the RSPB is a pretty depressing read. I have added a note about the cafe closure to the webpage.
Unfortunately it seems that the cafe in the RSPB visitor centre will be closing permanently from January 2025: https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/rainhammarshes/b/rainhammarshes-blog/posts/an-important-update-at-rspb-rainham-marshes
I didn't like the return route to Rainham. It was a bit too industrial for me. The group got confused about the walk length back to Rainham at the the turnstile exiting the RSPB reserve and thought the distance back from that point was 3km rather than 3k more than if we had continued on to Purfleet.
Update Jan 24: the damaged boardwalks within the reserve have been replaced and/or the path has been rerouted along gravel paths.
And there are now no entrance fees anymore to get into the reserve (but car park fees have been introduced).
Therefore, the loop through the reserve is now part of the main route.
walk fully updated after walk check yesterday. more detail and options added.
please see the enhanced notes before commencing the walk, especially the ones about the paths within the reserve
It's a fabulous walk along the beautiful Thames and this info is great thank you.
Following a comment by a walker on 11.12.16 the Royal Hotel in Purfleet is now looking a bit dilapidated and forlorn so unless you like this sort of ambiance it may be best to have simple lunch at the RSPB cafe.
PeteB