National Cycle Route 136
Riding the National Cycle Network Route 136
Overview:
A short ride which begins in the beguiling marshes of Rainham beside the old concrete barges used in the invasion of Normandy. The route travels into Rainham where riders will see the ‘most beautiful house on the Thames’ (NT) along with the ancient nearby Church. Thereafter it is all country park riding, across the famous Hornchurch airfield which served in both world wars, most notably in the Battle of Britain. Riding along the valley, through woods, lakes and meadows. Perhaps the biggest surprise is to see large herds of fallow deer roaming the streets of Harold Hill. This beautiful London ride finishes in the old estate of Dagnam Park, once the grounds of a stately home.
Ride Details
Distance: 18km (one way)
Start/Finish Points: Rainham Station, or Ingrebourne car park, Rainham road, just north of the A13 Rainham junction
Nearest Mainline/overground stations to the start/finish points: Rainham
Time needed: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy - outward journey on gentle uphill after Harold Hill
Traffic and Surfaces: Traffic-free throughout. A mixture of hard-packed cycle track and tarmac
Cycle Paths: NCN137 - signed throughout
Cafes/Pubs: RSPB cafe in the Hornchurch Country Park
What to see: Rainham Marshes, Mulberry Harbour barges, The Diver, Rainham Hall (NT) Ingrebourne Country Park, RAF Hornchurch airfield, RSPB centre, Fallow deer roaming around the town of Harold Hill, Dagnam Park
What to visit: Mountain bike trail in Hornchurch Country Park
Links to other rides: Cycling across Greater London West to East, NCN 13, Riding the Rivers Lee, Roding, Ingrebourne, Thames
Notes on the ride:
Rainham Marshes
The concrete barges now rotting on the banks of the Thames, are said to have played an important role in the invasion of Normandy. No one knows why they are here. Some say they were built but never used, others have said they returned from the war and were left here to prevent erosion of the river bank.
The Diver (Regeneration) by John Kaufman.
It is to celebrate the role of Thames divers . It is submerged at high tide.
Rainham Hall
Built in 1729 for a rich merchant. it has one of the best preserved early Georgian interiors in London.
Ingrebourne Valley
The lakes and the areas around them at the southern end of the Ingrebourne valley were until recently sand and gravel quarries. The restoration has included the planting of thousands of trees and shrubs as well as installing visitor amenities and
Hornchurch Country Park was created on the site of RAF Hornchurch, which was an important fighter base during the First and Second World Wars. It played a critical part in the Battle of Britain. You can see parts of the airfield, pillar boxes and other remains.
Upminster: It’s origin is from the Saxon meaning, ‘a church on high ground’.
Harold Hill: This new town was conceived by the London County Council after WWII in order to alleviate the chronic housing shortage. 7.600 homes were built to house 25,000 people.
The fallow deer of Harold Hill: A1950s housing estate with its lawns and greens, is also the home to a large herd of fallow deer, who can be seen roaming this most improbable of settings. They are thought to have originated from a herd on the nearby Dagnam estate.
Dagnam Park: There have been at least 3, possibly 5 manor houses on the site, one belonging to the Governor of the Bank of England, Sir Richard Neave. Humphrey Repton is said to have landscaped the park. The house was hit by a rocket in WWII and demolished in 1950. Harold Hill town was built on part of the estate’s grounds.