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Rainham Marshes Walks and Cycling

7.15 miles (11.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This circular walk or cycle explores the RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve in London.
It's an easy route using part of National Cycle Route 13 and other signed trails.
The route runs mostly along a riverside path by the River Thames from Purfleet to Rainham and a trail through the centre of the reserve. The reserve has a variety of regular winged visitors, including peregrines, lapwings and wild ducks. There are also water voles and rare dragonflies to be seen across the boardwalks. Also take time to explore the visitor centre which has a wealth of information about the area.
This route is easily accesible with train stations at either end at Purfleet and Rainham. You can also hire bikes at the reserve.

Postcode

RM19 1SZ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Please click here for more information

Rainham Marshes OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Rainham Marshes Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Part of this route uses a section of the long distance London Loop. You could follow the waymarked path north to visit Hornchurch Country Park, the Ingrebourne Valley and the nearby town of Upminster. Just east of Hornchurch there's also the noteworthy Belhus Woods Country Park where you'll find lakes, wildflower meadows and bluebell woodland.
For more walking ideas in the area see the London Walks page.

Photos

RSPB Visitor Centre, Rainham Marshes Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 1601466

RSPB Visitor Centre

Drainage Channel on Rainham Marshes - geograph.org.uk - 935999

Drainage Channel on Rainham Marshes. The channel on the right drains the marshes into the Thames via a sluice; the white concrete structure on the left in the distance carries the new high speed train line to the channel tunnel.

Rainham Marshes looking west towards Hornchurch - geograph.org.uk - 1601772

Looking west towards Hornchurch. The wind turbines in the background are in TQ5081, on the Hornchurch Marshes

Channel Tunnel Rail Link at Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 1573522

Channel Tunnel Rail Link at Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve. Taken from one of the boardwalks on Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve (actually on Aveley Marshes), the CTRL is on a viaduct here to take it over the C2C line between Rainham and Purfleet.

Cyleway 13 and Rainham to Purfleet Path, Aveley Marshes - geograph.org.uk - 1601637

Cyleway 13 & Rainham to Purfleet Path, Aveley Marshes. The hill ahead is the Rainham landfill site.

Distance post on the Rainham to Purfleet Path across the Aveley Marshes - geograph.org.uk - 1601642

Distance post on the Rainham to Purfleet Path across the Aveley Marshes

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Rainham Marshes.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Rainham Marshes.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)