Route Section

London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP)

Section 20 (Chigwell to Havering-atte-Bower)

Description:

One of the most rural sections of the whole Loop, being almost entirely in open country or woodland, apart from an initial road walk at Chigwell (but see note in Section 19 regarding a possible diversion to Debden station).

The route is shared for a while with the Chigwell Country Walk, which provides a link with Grange Hill station, and with the Three Forests Way. You continue to Chigwell Row across undulating farmland, where fields may be ploughed and cropped.

Then comes Hainault Forest Country Park, with its lake, and you must take care as you cross Hainault Forest Golf Course. Amid more farmland you cross the infant River Rom, then another woodland stretch leads through Havering Country Park to the pleasant village of Havering-atte-Bower, from which the London borough takes its name.

Interesting Places on or near the route:

Hainhault Forest Country Park

Boroughs which the route passes through:

Barking and Dagenham
Havering
Redbridge

Distance:

6 miles ( 9.6 km)

Start:

Chigwell High Road (GR 439-934) - see text

Finish:

North Road, Havering-atte-Bower (GR 512-931)

Recommended direction:

West to east

Terrain and surface:

Generally level, with some gentle slopes. Mostly on rough paths or tracks and on grass. Some fields may be ploughed. Six stiles. 800m beside roads

Signage:

Signage partial both ways

Temporary Diversions:

None

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs at Chigwell, Chigwell Row, Havering-atte-Bower. Cafes at Chigwell. Public toilets at Hainault Forest Country Park and Havering-atte-Bower

Public transport and breakpoints:

Tube: Chigwell, Grange Hill
Buses: at points above and also at Chigwell Row and Havering-atte-Bower

Links with other walks:

Chigwell Country Walk, Three Forests Way

Map required:

Explorer 174 and 175 (route marked)

Principal promoters:

London Walking Forum, Epping Forest DC, LB Redbridge, LB Havering

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