Dave Sergeant

This 4 mile walk from Inner London Ramblers is between Upney and Becontee stations in East London. It is the second part of a circular walk, see becontree1.htm for the first part. This section is somewhat less rural than the first but still quite pleasant.

Starting from Upney station where I arrived at 11am there is quite a lengthy section of urban streets until Castle Green is reached. This is not named after a castle but after a former house named Ripple Castle. This is a mixture of open park and sports facilities including a skateboard park.

In the far corner is the Sporting Heroes artwork celebrating four sports stars from Barking - Bobby Moore, Sir Alf Ramsey, Jason Leonard and Beverley Gull. Rather spoiled by the noise from the adjacent A13.

Another lengthy stretch of urban roads. Along the way St Albans church built in 1933 with a donation from Miss Violet Wills of the Wills Tobacco family. Then into Goresbrook Park.

Goresbrook Park is in three sections and is named after Gores Brook which runs through it.

The second part of Goresbrook Park and the brook.

Out of Goresbrook Park, across the railway line via a steep footbridge, and into Parsloes Park which I passed last time. The source of Gores Brook is in the park but culverted here. There were works going on here and the route in the guide was blocked and a longish diversion was needed to reach the lake. From here it was a short walk back to Becontree station and the tube home.

I decided to stop off at London Bridge and had a very pleasant lunch in the Old Thameside Inn - Hand Pulled Lamb Shank Shepherds Pie which was delicious. Then stretched my legs again and walked along the south bank to Waterloo and the journey home after another pleasant day out.

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